Sahih Bukhari : Book 12: Characteristics of Prayer

Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 12:

Characteristics of Prayer

Volume 1, Book 12, Number 699:

Narrated Anas bin Malik Al-Ansari:

Allah’s Apostle rode a horse and fell down and the right side of his body was injured. On that day he prayed one of the prayers sitting and we also prayed behind him sitting. When the Prophet finished the prayer with Taslim, he said, “The Imam is to be followed and if he prays standing then pray standing, and bow when he bows, and raise your heads when he raises his head; prostrate when he prostrates; and if he says “Sami’a-l-lahu Liman hamida”, you should say, “Rabbana wa-laka-l hamd.:


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 700:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

Allah’s Apostle fell from a horse and got injured so he led the prayer sitting and we also prayed sitting. When he completed the prayer he said, “The Imam is to be followed; if he says Takbir then say Takbir, bow if he bows; raise your heads when he raises his head, when he says, ‘Sami’ a-l-lahu Liman hamida say, ‘Rabbana laka-l-hamd’, and prostrate when he prostrates.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 701:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, “The Imam is to be followed. Say the Takbir when he says it; bow if he bows; if he says ‘Sami a-l-lahu Liman hamida’, say, ‘ Rabbana wa-laka-l-hamd’, prostrate if he prostrates and pray sitting altogether if he prays sitting.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 702:

Narrated Salim bin ‘Abdullah:

My father said, “Allah’s Apostle used to raise both his hands up to the level of his shoulders when opening the prayer; and on saying the Takbir for bowing. And on raising his head from bowing he used to do the same and then say “Sami a-l-lahu Liman hamida, Rabbana walaka-l-hamd.” And he did not do that (i.e. raising his hands) in prostrations.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 703:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar:

I saw that whenever Allah’s Apostle stood for the prayer, he used to raise both his hands up to the shoulders, and used to do the same on saying the Takbir for bowing and on raising his head from it and used to say, “Sami a-l-lahu Liman hamida”. But he did not do that (i.e. raising his hands) in prostrations.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 704:

Narrated Abu Qilaba:

I saw Malik bin Huwairith saying Takbir and raising both his hands (on starting the prayers and raising his hands on bowing and also on raising his head after bowing. Malik bin Huwairith said, “Allah’s Apostle did the same.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 705:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar:

I saw Allah’s Apostle opening the prayer with the Takbir and raising his hands to the level of his shoulders at the time of saying the Takbir, and on saying the Takbir for bowing he did the same; and when he said, “Sami a-l-lahu Liman hamida “, he did the same and then said, “Rabbana wa laka-l-hamd.” But he did not do the same on prostrating and on lifting the head from it.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 706:

Narrated Nafi’:

Whenever Ibn ‘Umar started the prayer with Takbir, he used to raise his hands: whenever he bowed, he used to raise his hands (before bowing) and also used to raise his hands on saying, “Sami a-l-lahu Liman hamida”, and he used to do the same on rising from the second Rak’a (for the 3rd Rak’a). Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Prophet used to do the same.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 707:

Narrated Sahl bin Sa’d:

The people were ordered to place the right hand on the left forearm in the prayer. Abu Hazim said, “I knew that the order was from the Prophet .”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 708:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle said, “You see me facing the Qibla; but, by Allah, nothing is hidden from me regarding your bowing and submissiveness and I see you from behind my back.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 709:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

The Prophet said, “Perform the bowing and the prostrations properly. By Allah, I see you from behind me (or from behind my back) when you bow or prostrate.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 710:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

The Prophet, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar used to start the prayer with “Al-hamdu lil-lahi Rabbil-‘ala-min (All praises are for Allah the Lord of the Worlds).”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 711:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle used to keep silent between the Takbir and the recitation of Qur’an and that interval of silence used to be a short one. I said to the Prophet “May my parents be sacrificed for you! What do you say in the pause between Takbir and recitation?” The Prophet said, “I say, ‘Allahumma, ba’id baini wa baina khatayaya kama ba’adta baina-l-mashriqi wa-l-maghrib. Allahumma, naqqim min khatayaya kama yunaqqa-ththawbu-l-abyadu mina-ddanas. Allahumma, ighsil khatayaya bil-ma’i wa-th-thalji wal-barad (O Allah! Set me apart from my sins (faults) as the East and West are set apart from each other and clean me from sins as a white garment is cleaned of dirt (after thorough washing). O Allah! Wash off my sins with water, snow and hail.)”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 712:

Narrated Asma’ bint Abi Bakr:

The Prophet once offered the eclipse prayer. He stood for a long time and then did a prolonged bowing. He stood up straight again and kept on standing for a long time, then bowed a long bowing and then stood up straight and then prostrated a prolonged prostration and then lifted his head and prostrated a prolonged prostration. And then he stood up for a long time and then did a prolonged bowing and then stood up straight again and kept on standing for a long time. Then he bowed a long bowing and then stood up straight and then prostrated a prolonged prostration and then lifted his head and went for a prolonged prostration. On completion o the prayer, he said, “Paradise became s near to me that if I had dared, I would have plucked one of its bunches for you and Hell became so near to me that said, ‘O my Lord will I be among those people?’ Then suddenly I saw a woman and a cat was lacerating her with it claws. On inquiring, it was said that the woman had imprisoned the cat till it died of starvation and she neither fed it no freed it so that it could feed itself.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 713:

Narrated Abu Ma’mar:

We asked Khabbab whether Allah’s Apostle used to recite (the Qur’an) in the Zuhr and the ‘Asr prayers. He replied in the affirmative. We said, “How did you come to know about it?” He said, “By the movement of his beard.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 714:

Narrated Al-Bara:

(And Al-Bara was not a liar) Whenever we offered prayer with the Prophet and he raised his head from the bowing, we used to remain standing till we saw him prostrating .


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 715:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas:

Once solar eclipse occurred during the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle. He offered the eclipse prayer. His companions asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! We saw you trying to take something while standing at your place and then we saw you retreating.” The Prophet said, “I was shown Paradise and wanted to have a bunch of fruit from it. Had I taken it, you would have eaten from it as long as the world remains.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 716:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

The Prophet led us in prayer and then went up to the pulpit and beckoned with both hands towards the Qibla of the mosque and then said, “When I started leading you in prayer, I saw the display of Paradise and Hell on the wall of the mosque (facing the Qibla). I never saw good and bad as I have seen today.” He repeated the last statement thrice.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 717:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

The Prophet said, “What is wrong with those people who look towards the sky during the prayer?” His talk grew stern while delivering this speech and he said, “They should stop (looking towards the sky during the prayer); otherwise their eye-sight would be taken away.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 718:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

I asked Allah’s Apostle about looking hither and thither in prayer. He replied, “It is a way of stealing by which Satan takes away (a portion) from the prayer of a person.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 719:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

Once the Prophet prayed on a Khamisa with marks on it and said, “The marks on it diverted my attention, take this Khamisa to Abu Jahm and bring an Inbijaniya (from him.)”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 720:

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:

The Prophet saw expectoration in the direction of the Qibla of the mosque while he was leading the prayer, and scratched it off. After finishing the prayer, he said, “Whenever any of you is in prayer he should know that Allah is in front of him. So none should spit in front of him in the prayer.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 721:

Narrated Anas:

While the Muslims were offering the Fajr prayer, Al lah’s Apostle suddenly appeared before them by living the curtain of the dwelling place of ‘Aisha, looked towards the Muslims who were standing in rows. He smiled with pleasure. Abu Bakr started retreating to join the row on the assumption that the Prophet wanted to come out for the prayer. The Muslims intended to leave the prayer (and were on the verge of being put to trial), but the Prophet beckoned them to complete their prayer and then he let the curtain fall. He died in the last hours of that day.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 722:

Narrated Jabir bin Samura:

The People of Kufa complained against Sa’d to ‘Umar and the latter dismissed him and appointed ‘Ammar as their chief . They lodged many complaints against Sa’d and even they alleged that he did not pray properly. ‘Umar sent for him and said, “O Aba Ishaq! These people claim that you do not pray properly.” Abu Ishaq said, “By Allah, I used to pray with them a prayer similar to that of Allah’s Apostle and I never reduced anything of it. I used to prolong the first two Rakat of ‘Isha prayer and shorten the last two Rakat.” ‘Umar said, “O Aba Ishaq, this was what I thought about you.” And then he sent one or more persons with him to Kufa so as to ask the people about him. So they went there and did not leave any mosque without asking about him. All the people praised him till they came to the mosque of the tribe of Bani ‘Abs; one of the men called Usama bin Qatada with a surname of Aba Sa’da stood up and said, “As you have put us under an oath; I am bound to tell you that Sa’d never went himself with the army and never distributed (the war booty) equally and never did justice in legal verdicts.” (On hearing it) Sa’d said, “I pray to Allah for three things: O Allah! If this slave of yours is a liar and got up for showing off, give him a long life, increase his poverty and put him to trials.” (And so it happened). Later on when that person was asked how he was, he used to reply that he was an old man in trial as the result of Sa’d’s curse. ‘Abdul Malik, the sub narrator, said that he had seen him afterwards and his eyebrows were over-hanging his eyes owing to old age and he used to tease and assault the small girls in the way.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 723:

Narrated ‘Ubada bin As-Samit:

Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever does not recite Al-Fatiha in his prayer, his prayer is invalid.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 724:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle entered the mosque and a person followed him. The man prayed and went to the Prophet and greeted him. The Prophet returned the greeting and said to him, “Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.” The man went back prayed in the same way as before, returned and greeted the Prophet who said, “Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.” This happened thrice. The man said, “By Him Who sent you with the Truth, I cannot offer the prayer in a better way than this. Please, teach me how to pray.” The Prophet said, “When you stand for Prayer say Takbir and then recite from the Holy Qur’an (of what you know by heart) and then bow till you feel at ease. Then raise your head and stand up straight, then prostrate till you feel at ease during your prostration, then sit with calmness till you feel at ease (do not hurry) and do the same in all your prayers


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 725:

Narrated Jabir bin Samura:

Sa’d said, “I used to pray with them a prayer similar to that of Allah’s Apostle (the prayer of Zuhr and ‘Asr) reducing nothing from them. I used to prolong the first two Rakat and shorten the last two Rak’at.” ‘Umar said to Sa’d “This was what we thought about you.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 726:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Abi Qatada:

My father said, “The Prophet in Zuhr prayers used to recite Al-Fatiha along with two other Suras in the first two Rakat: a long one in the first Rak’a and a shorter (Sura) in the second, and at times the verses were audible. In the ‘Asr prayer the Prophet used to recite Al-Fatiha and two more Suras in the first two Rakat and used to prolong the first Rak’a. And he used to prolong the first Rak’a of the Fajr prayer and shorten the second.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 727:

Narrated Abu Ma’mar:

I asked Khabbab whether the Prophet used to recite the Qur’an in the Zuhr and the ‘Asr prayers. He replied in the affirmative. We said, “How did you come to know that?” He said, “From the movement of his beard.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 728:

Narrated Abu Ma’mar:

I asked Khabbab bin Al-Art whether the Prophet used to recite the Qur’an in the Zuhr and the ‘Asr prayers. He replied in the affirmative. I said, “How did you come to know that?” He replied, “From the movement of his beard.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 729:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Abi Qatada:

My father said, “The Prophet used to recite Al-Fatiha along with another Sura in the first two Rakat of the Zuhr and the ‘Asr prayers and at times a t verse or so was audible to us.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 730:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

(My mother) Umu-l-Fadl heard me reciting “Wal Mursalati ‘Urfan” (77) and said, “O my son! By Allah, your recitation made me remember that it was the last Sura I heard from Allah’s Apostle. He recited it in the Maghrib prayer. “


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 731:

Narrated Marwan bin Al-Hakam:

Zaid bin Thabit said to me, “Why do you recite very short S&ras in the Maghrib prayer while I heard the Prophet reciting the longer of the two long Suras?”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 732:

Narrated Jubair bin Mut’im:

My father said, “I heard Allah’s Apostle reciting “At-Tur” (52) in the Maghrib prayer.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 733:

Narrated Abu Rafi:

I offered the ‘Isha’ prayer behind Abu Huraira and he recited, “Idha-s-Sama’u-n-Shaqqat” (84) and prostrated. On my inquiring, he said, “I prostrated behind Abu-l-Qasim (the Prophet) (when he recited that Sura) and I will go on doing it till I meet him.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 734:

Narrated Al-Bara:

The Prophet was on a journey and recited in one of the first two Rakat of the ‘Isha’ prayer “Wat-tini waz-zaituni.” (95)


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 735:

Narrated Abu Rafi’:

Once I prayed the ‘Isha’ prayer with Abu Huraira and he recited, “Idha-s-Sama’ u-nShaqqat” (84) and prostrated. I said, “What is that?” He said, “I prostrated behind Abu-l-Qasim, (the Prophet) (when he recited that Sura) and I will go on doing it till I meet him.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 736:

Narrated Al-Bara:

I heard the Prophet reciting wat-tini wazzaituni” (95) in the ‘Isha’ prayer, and I never heard a sweeter voice or a better way of recitation than that of the Prophet.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 737:

Narrated Jabir bin Samura:

‘Umar said to Sa’d, “The people complained against you in everything, even in prayer.” Sa’d replied, “Really I used to prolong the first two Rakat and shorten the last two and I will never shorten the prayer in which I follow Allah’s Apostle.” ‘Umar said, “You are telling the truth and that is what I think a tout you.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 738:

Narrated Saiyar bin Salama:

My father and I went to Abu Barza-al-Aslami to ask him about the stated times for the prayers. He replied, “The Prophet used to offer the Zuhr prayer when the sun just declined from its highest position at noon; the ‘Asr at a time when if a man went to the farthest place in Medina (after praying) he would find the sun still hot (bright). (The sub narrator said: I have forgotten what Abu Barza said about the Maghrib prayer). The Prophet never found any harm in delaying the ‘Isha’ prayer to the first third of the night and he never liked to sleep before it and to talk after it. He used to offer the morning prayer at a time when after finishing it one could recognize the person sitting beside him and used to recite between 60 to 100 verses in one or both the Rakat.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 739:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Qur’an is recited in every prayer and in those prayers in which Allah’s Apostle recited aloud for us, we recite aloud in the same prayers for you; and the prayers in which the Prophet recited quietly, we recite quietly. If you recite “Al-Fatiha” only it is sufficient but if you recite something else in addition, it is better.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 740:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

The Prophet set out with the intention of going to Suq ‘Ukaz (market of ‘Ukaz) along with some of his companions. At the same time, a barrier was put between the devils and the news of heaven. Fire commenced to be thrown at them. The Devils went to their people, who asked them, “What is wrong with you?” They said, “A barrier has been placed between us and the news of heaven. And fire has been thrown at us.” They said, “The thing which has put a barrier between you and the news of heaven must be something which has happened recently. Go eastward and westward and see what has put a barrier between you and the news of heaven.” Those who went towards Tuhama came across the Prophet at a place called Nakhla and it was on the way to Suq ‘Ukaz and the Prophet was offering the Fajr prayer with his companions. When they heard the Qur’an they listened to it and said, “By Allah, this is the thing which has put a barrier between us and the news of heaven.” They went to their people and said, “O our people; verily we have heard a wonderful recital (Qur’an) which shows the true path; we believed in it and would not ascribe partners to our Lord.” Allah revealed the following verses to his Prophet (Sura ‘Jinn’) (72): “Say: It has been revealed to me.” And what was revealed to him was the conversation of the Jinns.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 741:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

The Prophet recited aloud in the prayers in which he was ordered to do so and quietly in the prayers in which he was ordered to do so. “And your Lord is not forgetful.” “Verily there was a good example for you in the ways of the Prophet.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 742:

Narrated Abu Wa’il:

A man came to Ibn Mas’ud and said, “I recited the Mufassal (Suras) at night in one Rak’a.” Ibn Mas’ud said, “This recitation is (too quick) like the recitation of poetry. I know the identical Suras which the Prophet used to recite in pairs.” Ibn Mas’ud then mentioned 20 Mufassal Suras including two Suras from the family of (i.e. those verses which begin with) AL, HA, MIM (which the Prophet used to recite) in each Rak’a.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 743:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Abi Qatada:

My father said, “The Prophet uses to recite Al-Fatiha followed by another Sura in the first two Rakat of the prayer and used to recite only Al-Fatiha in the last two Rakat of the Zuhr prayer. Sometimes a verse or so was audible and he used to prolong the first Rak’a more than the second and used to do the same in the ‘Asr and Fajr prayers.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 744:

Narrated Abu Ma’mar:

We said to Khabbab “Did Allah’s Apostle used to recite in Zuhr and ‘Asr prayers?” He replied in the affirmative. We said, “How did you come to know about it?” He said, “By the movement of his beard.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 745:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Abi Qatada:

My father said, “The Prophet used to recite Al-Fatiha along with another Sura in the first two Rakat of the Zuhr and ‘Asr prayers. A verse or so was audible at times and he used to prolong the first Rak’a.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 746:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Abi Qatada:

My father said, “The Prophet used to prolong the first Rak’a of the Zuhr prayer and shorten the second one and used to do the same in the Fajr prayer.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 747:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, “Say Amin” when the Imam says it and if the Amin of any one of you coincides with that of the angels then all his past sins will be forgiven.” Ibn Shihab said, “Allah’s Apostle used to Say “Amin.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 748:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle said, “If any one of you says, “Amin” and the angels in the heavens say “Amin” and the former coincides with the latter, all his past sins will be forgiven.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 749:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle said, “Say Amen’ when the Imam says “Ghair-il-maghdubi ‘alaihim wala-ddal-lin; not the path of those who earn Your Anger (such as Jews) nor of those who go astray (such as Christians); all the past sins of the person whose saying (of Amin) coincides with that of the angels, will be forgiven.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 750:

Narrated Abu Bakra:

I reached the Prophet in the mosque while he was bowing in prayer and I too bowed before joining the row mentioned it to the Prophet and he said to me, “May Allah increase your love for the good. But do not repeat it again (bowing in that way).”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 751:

Narrated Imran bin Husain:

I offered the prayer with ‘Ali in Basra and he made us remember the prayer which we used to pray with Allah’s Apostle. ‘Ali said Takbir on each rising and bowing.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 752:

Narrated Abu Salama:

When Abu Huraira led us in prayer he used to say Takbir on each bowing and rising. On the completion of the prayer he used to say, “My prayer is more similar to the prayer of Allah’s Apostle than that of anyone of you.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 753:

Narrated Mutarrif bin ‘Abdullah:

‘Imran bin Husain and I offered the prayer behind Ali bin Abi Talib. When ‘Ali prostrated, he said the Takbir, when he raised his head, he said the Takbir and when he got up for the third Rak’a he said the Takbir. On completion of the prayer Imran took my hand and said, “This (i.e. ‘Ali) made me remember the prayer of Muhammad” Or he said, “He led us in a prayer like that of Muhammad.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 754:

Narrated ‘Ikrima:

I saw a person praying at Muqam-lbrahim (the place of Abraham by the Ka’ba) and he was saying Takbir on every bowing, rising, standing and sitting. I asked Ibn ‘Abbas (about this prayer). He admonished me saying: “Isn’t that the prayer of the Prophet?”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 755:

Narrated ‘Ikrima:

I prayed behind a Sheikh at Mecca and he said twenty two Takbirs (during the prayer). I told Ibn ‘Abbas that he (i.e. that Sheikh) was foolish. Ibn ‘Abbas admonished me and said, “This is the tradition of Abu-l-Qasim.” And narrated Abu Huraira: Whenever Allah’s Apostle stood for the prayer, he said Takbir on starting the prayer and then on bowing. On rising from bowing he said, “Sami’ a-l-lahu liman hamida,” and then while standing straight he used to say, “Rabbana laka-l hamd” (Al-Laith said, “(The Prophet said), ‘Walaka-l-hamd’.” He used to say Takbir on prostrating and on raising his head from prostration; again he would Say Takbir on prostrating and raising his head. He would then do the same in the whole of the prayer till it was completed. On rising from the second Rak’a (after sitting for At-Tahiyyat), he used to say Takbir.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 756:

Narrated Mus’ab bin Sa’d:

I offered prayer beside my father and approximated both my hands and placed them in between the knees. My father told me not to do so and said, “We used to do the same but we were forbidden (by the Prophet) to do it and were ordered to place the hands on the knees.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 757:

Narrated Zaid binWahb:

Hudhaifa saw a person who was not performing the bowing and prostrations perfectly. He said to him, “You have not prayed and if you should die you would die on a religion other than that of Muhammad.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 758:

Narrated Al-Bara:

The bowing, the prostration the sitting in between the two prostrations and the standing after the bowing of the Prophet but not Qiyam (standing in the prayer) and Qu’ud (sitting in the prayer) used to be approximately equal (in duration).


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 759:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Once the Prophet entered the mosque, a man came in, offered the prayer and greeted the Prophet. The Prophet returned his greeting and said to him, “Go back and pray again for you have not prayed.” The man offered the prayer again, came back and greeted the Prophet. He said to him thrice, “Go back and pray again for you have not prayed.” The man said, “By Him Who has sent you with the truth! I do not know a better way of praying. Kindly teach Me how to pray.” He said, “When you stand for the prayer, say Takbir and then recite from the Qur’an what you know and then bow with calmness till you feel at ease, then rise from bowing till you stand straight. Afterwards prostrate calmly till you feel at ease and then raise (your head) and sit with Calmness till you feel at ease and then prostrate with calmness till you feel at ease in prostration and do the same in the whole of your prayer.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 760:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

The Prophet used to say in his bowing and prostrations, “Subhanaka-Allahumma Rabbana wa-bihamdika Allahumma-ighfirli.’ (I honor Allah from all what (unsuitable things) is ascribed to Him. O Allah Our Lord! And all the praises are for You. O Allah! Forgive me).”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 761:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

When the Prophet said, “Sami’ a-l-lahu Liman hamida,” (Allah heard those who sent praises to Him), he would say, “Rabbana wa-laka-l-hamd.” On bowing and raising his head from it the Prophet used to say Takbir. He also used to say Takbir on rising after the two prostrations. (See Hadith No. 656).


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 762:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle said, “When the Imam says, “Sami’ a-l-lahu Liman hamida,” you should say, “Allahumma Rabbana laka-l-hamd.” And if the saying of any one of you coincides with that of the angels, all his past sins will be forgiven.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 763:

Narrated Anas:

The Qunut used to be recited in the Maghrib and the Fajr prayers.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 764:

Narrated Rifa’a bin Rafi AzZuraqi:

One day we were praying behind the Prophet. When he raised his head from bowing, he said, “Sami’a-l-lahu Liman hamida.” A man behind him said, “Rabbana walaka-l hamd hamdan Kathiran taiyiban mubarakan fihi” (O our Lord! All the praises are for You, many good and blessed praises). When the Prophet completed the prayer, he asked, “Who has said these words?” The man replied, “I.” The Prophet said, “I saw over thirty angels competing to write it first.” Prophet rose (from bowing) and stood straight till all the vertebrae of his spinal column came to a natural position.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 765:

Narrated Thabit:

Anas used to demonstrate to us the prayer of the Prophet and while demonstrating, he used to raise his head from bowing and stand so long that we would say that he had forgotten (the prostration).


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 766:

Narrated Al-Bara’:

The bowing, the prostrations, the period of standing after bowing and the interval between the two prostrations of the Prophet used to be equal in duration .


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 767:

Narrated Aiyub:

Abu Qilaba said, “Malik bin Huwairith used to demonstrate to us the prayer of the Prophet at times other than that of the compulsory prayers. So (once) he stood up for prayer and performed a perfect Qiyam (standing and reciting from the Holy Qur’an) and then bowed and performed bowing perfectly; then he raised his head and stood straight for a while.” Abu Qilaba added, “Malik bin Huwairith in that demonstration prayed like this Sheikh of ours, Abu Yazid.” Abu, Yazid used to sit (for a while) on raising his head from the second prostration before getting up.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 768:

Narrated Abu Bakr bin ‘Abdur Rahman Ibn Harith bin Hisham and Abu Salama bin ‘Abdur Rahman:

Abu Huraira used to say Takbir in all the prayers, compulsory and optional — in the month of Ramadan or other months. He used to say Takbir on standing for prayer and on bowing; then he would say, “Salmi’a-l-lahu Liman hamida,” and before prostrating he would say “Rabbana walaka-l-hamd.” Then he would say Takbir on prostrating and on raising his head from the prostration, then another Takbir on prostrating (for the second time), and on raising his head from the prostration. He also would say the Takbir on standing from the second Rak’a. He used to do the same in every Rak’a till he completed the prayer. On completion of the prayer, he would say, “By Him in Whose Hands my soul is! No doubt my prayer is closer to that of Allah’s Apostle than yours, and this was His prayer till he left this world.” And Abu Huraira said, “When Allah’s Apostle raised his head from (bowing) he used to say “Sami’ a-l-lahu Liman hamida, Rabbana walakal-hamd.” He Would invoke Allah for some people by naming them: “O Allah! Save Al-Walid bin Al-Walid and Salama bin Hisham and ‘Aiyash bin Abi Rabi’a and the weak and the helpless people among the faithful believers O Allah! Be hard on the tribe of Mudar and let them suffer from famine years like that of the time of Joseph.” In those days the Eastern section of the tribe of Mudar was against the Prophet.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 769:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

Allah’s Apostle fell from a horse and the right side of his body was injured. We went to enquire about his health meanwhile it was time for the prayer and he led the prayer sitting and we also prayed while sitting. On completion of the prayer he said, “The Imam is to be followed; say Takbir when he says it; bow when he bows; rise when he rises and when he says “Sami’a-l-lahu Liman hamida,” say, “Rabbana walaka-lhamd”, and prostrate if he prostrates.” Sufyan narrated the same from Ma’mar. Ibn Juraij said that his (the Prophet’s) right leg had been injured.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 770:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The people said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Shall we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?” He replied, “Do you have any doubt in seeing the full moon on a clear (not cloudy) night?” They replied, “No, O Allah’s Apostle!” He said, “Do you have any doubt in seeing the sun when there are no clouds?” They replied in the negative. He said, “You will see Allah (your Lord) in the same way. On the Day of Resurrection, people will be gathered and He will order the people to follow what they used to worship. So some of them will follow the sun, some will follow the moon, and some will follow other deities; and only this nation (Muslims) will be left with its hypocrites. Allah will come to them and say, ‘I am Your Lord.’ They will say, ‘We shall stay in this place till our Lord comes to us and when our Lord will come, we will recognize Him. Then Allah will come to them again and say, ‘I am your Lord.’ They will say, ‘You are our Lord.’ Allah will call them, and As-Sirat (a bridge) will be laid across Hell and I (Muhammad) shall be the first amongst the Apostles to cross it with my followers. Nobody except the Apostles will then be able to speak and they will be saying then, ‘O Allah! Save us. O Allah Save us.’

There will be hooks like the thorns of Sa’dan in Hell. Have you seen the thorns of Sa’dan?” The people said, “Yes.” He said, “These hooks will be like the thorns of Sa’dan but nobody except Allah knows their greatness in size and these will entangle the people according to their deeds; some of them will fall and stay in Hell forever; others will receive punishment (torn into small pieces) and will get out of Hell, till when Allah intends mercy on whomever He likes amongst the people of Hell, He will order the angels to take out of Hell those who worshipped none but Him alone. The angels will take them out by recognizing them from the traces of prostrations, for Allah has forbidden the (Hell) fire to eat away those traces. So they will come out of the Fire, it will eat away from the whole of the human body except the marks of the prostrations. At that time they will come out of the Fire as mere skeletons. The Water of Life will be poured on them and as a result they will grow like the seeds growing on the bank of flowing water. Then when Allah had finished from the Judgments amongst his creations, one man will be left between Hell and Paradise and he will be the last man from the people of Hell to enter paradise. He will be facing Hell, and will say, ‘O Allah! Turn my face from the fire as its wind has dried me and its steam has burnt me.’ Allah will ask him, “Will you ask for anything more in case this favor is granted to you?’ He will say, “No by Your (Honor) Power!” And he will give to his Lord (Allah) what he will of the pledges and the covenants. Allah will then turn his face from the Fire. When he will face Paradise and will see its charm, he will remain quiet as long as Allah will. He then will say, ‘O my Lord! Let me go to the gate of Paradise.’ Allah will ask him, ‘Didn’t you give pledges and make covenants (to the effect) that you would not ask for anything more than what you requested at first?’ He will say, ‘O my Lord! Do not make me the most wretched, amongst Your creatures.’ Allah will say, ‘If this request is granted, will you then ask for anything else?’ He will say, ‘No! By Your Power! I shall not ask for anything else.’ Then he will give to his Lord what He will of the pledges and the covenants. Allah will then let him go to the gate of Paradise. On reaching then and seeing its life, charm, and pleasure, he will remain quiet as long as Allah wills and then will say, ‘O my Lord ! Let me enter Paradise.’ Allah will say, May Allah be merciful unto you, O son of Adam! How treacherous you are! Haven’t you made covenants and given pledges that you will not ask for anything more that what you have been given?’ He will say, ‘O my Lord! Do not make me the most wretched amongst Your creatures.’ So Allah will laugh and allow him to enter Paradise and will ask him to request as much as he likes. He will do so till all his desires have been fulfilled . Then Allah will say, ‘Request more of such and such things.’ Allah will remind him and when all his desires and wishes; have been fulfilled, Allah will say “All this is granted to you and a similar amount besides.” Abu Said Al-Khudri, said to Abu Huraira, ‘Allah’s Apostle said, “Allah said, ‘That is for you and ten times more like it.’ “Abu Huraira said, “I do not remember from Allah’s Apostle except (his saying), ‘All this is granted to you and a similar amount besides.” Abu Sahd said, “I heard him saying, ‘That is for you and ten times more the like of it.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 771:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Malik bin Buhaina:

Whenever the Prophet used to offer prayer he used to keep arms away (from the body) so that the whiteness of his armpits was visible.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 772:

Narrated Abu Wail:

Hudhaifa said, “I saw a person not performing his bowing and prostrations perfectly. When he completed the prayer, I told him that he had not prayed.” I think that Hudhaifa added (i.e. said to the man), “Had you died, you would have died on a tradition other than that of the Prophet Muhammad.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 773:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

The Prophet was ordered (by Allah) to prostrate on seven parts and not to tuck up the clothes or hair (while praying). Those parts are: the forehead (along with the tip of nose), both hands, both knees, and (toes of) both feet.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 774:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

The Prophet said, “We have been ordered to prostrates on seven bones and not to tuck up the clothes or hair.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 775:

Narrated Al-Bara’ bin ‘Azib:

(and he was not a liar) We used to pray behind the Prophet and when he said, “Sami’ a-l-lahu Liman hamida”, none of us would bend his back (to go for prostration) till the Prophet had placed his, forehead on the ground.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 776:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

The Prophet said, “I have been ordered to prostrate on seven bones i.e. on the forehead along with the tip of the nose and the Prophet pointed towards his nose, both hands, both knees and the toes of both feet and not to gather the clothes or the hair.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 777:

Narrated Abu Salama:

Once I went to Abu- Sa’id Al-Khudri and asked him, “Won’t you come with us to the date-palm trees to have a talk?” So Abu Said went out and I asked him, “Tell me what you heard from the Prophet about the Night of Qadr.” Abu Said replied, “Once Allah’s Apostle performed I’tikaf (seclusion) on the first ten days of the month of Ramadan and we did the same with him. Gabriel came to him and said, ‘The night you are looking for is ahead of you.’ So the Prophet performed the I’tikaf in the middle (second) ten days of the month of Ramadan and we too performed I’tikaf with him. Gabriel came to him and said, ‘The night which you are looking for is ahead of you.’ In the morning of the 20th of Ramadan the Prophet delivered a sermon saying, ‘Whoever has performed I’tikaf with me should continue it. I have been shown the Night of “Qadr”, but have forgotten its date, but it is in the odd nights of the last ten nights. I saw in my dream that I was prostrating in mud and water.’ In those days the roof of the mosque was made of branches of date-palm trees. At that time the sky was clear and no cloud was visible, but suddenly a cloud came and it rained. The Prophet led us in the prayer and I saw the traces of mud on the forehead and on the nose of Allah’s Apostle. So it was the confirmation of that dream.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 778:

Narrated Sahl bin Sa’d:

The people used to pray with the Prophet tying their Izars around their necks because of their small sizes and the women were directed that they should not raise their heads from the prostrations till the men had sat straight.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 779:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

The Prophet was ordered to prostrate on seven bony parts and not to tuck up his clothes or hair.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 780:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

The Prophet said, “I have been ordered to prostrate on seven (bones) and not to tuck up the hair or garment.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 781:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

The Prophet used to say frequently in his bowing and prostrations “Subhanaka-Allahumma Rabbana Wabihamdika, Allahumma Ighfir-li” (I honor Allah from all what (unsuitable things) is ascribed to Him, O Allah! Our Lord! All praises are for You. O Allah! Forgive me). In this way he was acting on what was explained to him in the Holy Qur’an.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 782:

Narrated Abu Qilaba:

Once Malik bin Huwairith said to his friends, “Shall I show you how Allah’s Apostle used to offer his prayers?” And it was not the time for any of the compulsory congregational prayers. So he stood up (for the prayer) bowed and said the Takbir, then he raised his head and remained standing for a while and then prostrated and raised his head for a while (sat up for a while). He prayed like our Sheikh ‘Amr Ibn Salama. (Aiyub said, “The latter used to do a thing which I did not see the people doing i.e. he used to sit between the third and the fourth Rak’a). IMalik bin Huwairith said, “We came to the Prophet (after embracing Islam) and stayed with him. He said to us, ‘When you go back to your families, pray such and such a prayer at such and such a time, pray such and such a prayer at such and such a time, and when there is the time for the prayer then only of you should pronounce the Adhan for the prayer and the oldest of you should lead the prayer.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 783:

Narrated Al-Bara’:

The time taken by the Prophet in prostrations, bowing, and the sitting interval between the two prostrations was about the same.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 784:

Narrated Thabit:

Anas said, “I will leave no stone unturned in making you offer the prayer as I have seen the Prophet making us offer it.” Anas used to do a thing which I have not seen you doing. He used to stand after the bowing for such a long time that one would think that he had forgotten (the prostrations) and he used to sit in-between the prostrations so long that one would think that he had forgotten the second prostration.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 785:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

The Prophet said, “Be straight in the prostrations and none of you should put his forearms on the ground (in the prostration) like a dog.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 786:

Narrated Malik bin Huwairith Al-Laithi:

I saw the Prophet praying and in the odd Rakat, he used to sit for a moment before getting up.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 787:

Narrated Aiyub:

Abu Qilaba said, “Malik bin Huwairith came to us and led us in the prayer in this mosque of ours and said, ‘I lead you in prayer but I do not want to offer the prayer but just to show you how Allah’s Apostle performed his prayers.” I asked Abu Qilaba, “How was the prayer of Malik bin Huwairith?” He replied, “Like the prayer of this Sheikh of ours– i.e. ‘Amr bin Salima.” That Sheikh used to pronounce the Takbir perfectly and when he raised his head from the second prostration he would sit for a while and then support himself on the ground and get up.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 788:

Narrated Said bin Al-Harith:

Abu Said led us in the prayer and said the Takbir aloud on arising from the prostration, and on prostrating, on rising again, and on getting up from the second Rak’a. Abu Said said, “I saw the Prophet doing the same.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 789:

Narrated Mutarrif:

‘Imran and I prayed behind ‘Ali bin Abi Talib and he said Takbir on prostrating, on rising and on getting up after the two Rakat (i.e. after the second Rak’a). When the prayer was finished, ‘Imran took me by the hand and said, “He (‘Ali) has prayed the prayer of Muhammad” (or said, “He made us remember the prayer of Muhammad).”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 790:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdullah:

I saw ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar crossing his legs while sitting in the prayer and I, a mere youngster in those days, did the same. Ibn ‘Umar forbade me to do so, and said, “The proper way is to keep the right foot propped up and bend the left in the prayer.” I said questioningly, “But you are doing so (crossing the legs).” He said, “My feet cannot bear my weight.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 791:

Narrated Muhammad bin ‘Amr bin ‘Ata’:

I was sitting with some of the companions of Allah’s Apostle and we were discussing about the way of praying of the Prophet. Abu Humaid As-Saidi said, “I remember the prayer of Allah’s Apostle better than any one of you. I saw him raising both his hands up to the level of the shoulders on saying the Takbir; and on bowing he placed his hands on both knees and bent his back straight, then he stood up straight from bowing till all the vertebrate took their normal positions. In prostrations, he placed both his hands on the ground with the forearms away from the ground and away from his body, and his toes were facing the Qibla. On sitting In the second Rak’a he sat on his left foot and propped up the right one; and in the last Rak’a he pushed his left foot forward and kept the other foot propped up and sat over the buttocks “


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 792:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Buhaina:

(he was from the tribe of Uzd Shan’u’a and was the ally of the tribe of ‘Abdul-Manaf and was one of the companions of the Prophet): Once the Prophet led us in the Zuhr prayer and stood up after the second Rak’a and did not sit down. The people stood up with him. When the prayer was about to end and the people were waiting for him to say the Taslim, he said Takbir while sitting and prostrated twice before saying the Taslim and then he said the Taslim.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 793:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Malik bin Buhaina:

Once Allah’s Apostle led us in the Zuhr prayer and got up (after the prostrations of the second Rak’a) although he should have sat (for the Tashah-hud). So at the end of the prayer, he prostrated twice while sitting (prostrations of Sahu).


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 794:

Narrated Shaqlq bin Salama:

‘Abdullah said, “Whenever we prayed behind the Prophet we used to recite (in sitting) ‘Peace be on Gabriel, Michael, peace be on so and so. Once Allah’s Apostle looked back at us and said, ‘Allah Himself is As-Salam (Peace), and if anyone of you prays then he should say, At-Tahiyatu lil-lahi wassalawatu wat-taiyibatu. AsSalamu ‘alalika aiyuha-n-Nabiyu wa rahmatu-l-lahi wa barakatuhu. As-Salam alaina wa ala ibadil-lah is-salihin. (All the compliments, prayers and good things are due to Allah: peace be on you, O Prophet and Allah’s mercy and blessings be on you. Peace be on us an on the true pious slaves of Allah). (If you say that, it will be for all the slaves in the heaven and the earth). Ash-hadu an la-ilaha illa-l-lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluhu. (I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and I also testify that Muhammad is His slave and His Apostle).”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 795:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

(the wife of the Prophet) Allah’s Apostle used to invoke Allah in the prayer saying “Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min adhabil-qabri, wa a’udhu bika min fitnatil-masihid-dajjal, wa a’udhu bika min fitnatil-mahya wa fitnatil-mamati. Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-ma thami wal-maghrami. (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave and from the afflictions of Masi,h Ad-Dajjal and from the afflictions of life and death. O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the sins and from being in debt).” Somebody said to him, “Why do you so frequently seek refuge with Allah from being in debt?” The Prophet replied, “A person in debt tells lies whenever he speaks, and breaks promises whenever he makes (them).” ‘Aisha also narrated: I heard Allah’s Apostle in his prayer seeking refuge with Allah from the afflictions of Ad-dajjal.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 796:

Narrated Abu Bakr As-Siddiq:

I asked Allah’s Apostle to teach me an invocation so that I may invoke Allah with it in my prayer. He told me to say, “Allahumma inni zalumtu nafsi zulman kathiran, Wala yaghfirudhdhunuba illa anta faghfirli maghfiratan min ‘Indika, war-hamni innaka antal-ghafururrahim (O Allah! I have done great injustice to myself and none except You forgives sins, so please forgive me and be Merciful to me as You are the Forgiver, the Merciful).”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 797:

Narrated ‘Abdullah:

When we prayed with the Prophet we used to say, “Peace be on Allah from His slaves and peace be on so and so.” The Prophet said, “Don’t say As-Salam be on Allah, for He Himself is As-Salam, but say, ‘At-tahiyatu lil-lahi was-salawatu wat-taiyibatu. As-salamu ‘Alaika aiyuhan-Nabiyu warahmatu-l-lahi wa barakatuhu. As-salamu ‘alaina wa ‘ala ibadillahis-salihin. (If you say this then it will be for all the slaves in heaven or between heaven and earth). Ashhadu an la-ilaha illallahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘Abduhu wa Rasuluhu.’ Then select the invocation you like best and recite it.” (See Hadith No. 794, 795 & 796).


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 798:

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:

I saw Allah’s Apostle prostrating in mud and water and saw the mark of mud on his forehead.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 799:

Narrated Um Salama:

Whenever Allah’s Apostle finished his prayers with Taslim, the women would get up and he would stay on for a while in his place before getting up. Ibn Shihab said, “I think (and Allah knows better), that the purpose of his stay was that the women might leave before the men who had finished their prayer. “


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 800:

Narrated ‘Itban bin Malik:

We prayed with the Prophet and used to finish our prayer with the Taslim along with him.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 801:

Narrated Mahmud bin Ar-Rabi’:

I remember Allah’s Apostle and also the mouthful of water which he took from a bucket in our house and ejected (on me). I heard from ltban bin Malik Al-Ansari, who was one from Bani Salim, saying, “I used to lead my tribe of Bani Salim in prayer. Once I went to the Prophet and said to him, ‘I have weak eye-sight and at times the rainwater flood intervenes between me and the mosque of my tribe and I wish that you would come to my house and pray at some place so that I could take that place as a place for praying (mosque). He said, “Allah willing, I shall do that.” Next day Allah’s Apostle along with Abu Bakr, came to my house after the sun had risen high and he asked permission to enter. I gave him permission, but he didn’t sit till he said to me, “Where do you want me to pray in your house?” I pointed to a place in the house where I wanted him to pray. So he stood up for the prayer and we aligned behind him. He completed the prayer with Taslim and we did the same simultaneously.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 802:

Narrated Abu Ma’bad:

(the freed slave of Ibn ‘Abbas) Ibn ‘Abbas told me, “In the lifetime of the Prophet it was the custom to celebrate Allah’s praises aloud after the compulsory congregational prayers.” Ibn ‘Abbas further said, “When I heard the Dhikr, I would learn that the compulsory congregational prayer had ended.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 803:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

I used to recognize the completion of the prayer of the Prophet by hearing Takbir.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 804:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Some poor people came to the Prophet and said, “The wealthy people will get higher grades and will have permanent enjoyment and they pray like us and fast as we do. They have more money by which they perform the Hajj, and ‘Umra; fight and struggle in Allah’s Cause and give in charity.” The Prophet said, “Shall I not tell you a thing upon which if you acted you would catch up with those who have surpassed you? Nobody would overtake you and you would be better than the people amongst whom you live except those who would do the same. Say “Sub-han-al-lah”, “Alhamdu-lillah” and “Allahu Akbar” thirty three times each after every (compulsory) prayer.” We differed and some of us said that we should say, “Subhan-al-lah” thirty three times and “Alhamdu lillah” thirty three times and “Allahu Akbar” thirty four times. I went to the Prophet who said, “Say, “Subhan-al-lah” and “Alhamdu lillah” and “Allahu Akbar” all together for thirty three times.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 805:

Narrated Warrad:

(the clerk of Al-Mughira bin Shu’ba) Once Al-Mughira dictated to me in a letter addressed to Mu’awiya that the Prophet used to say after every compulsory prayer, “La ilaha ilallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa-lahul-hamdu, wahuwa ala kulli shai in qadir. Allahumma la mani ‘a lima a’taita, wa la mu’tiya lima mana’ta, wa la yanfa’u dhal-jaddi minka-l-jadd. (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and He has no partner in Lordship or in worship or in the Names and the Qualities, and for Him is the Kingdom and all the praises are for Him and He is omnipotent. O Allah! Nobody can hold back what you give and nobody can give what You hold back. Hard (efforts by anyone for anything cannot benefit one against Your Will).” And Al-Hasan said, “Al-jadd’ means prosperity.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 806:

Narrated Samura bin Jundab:

The Prophet used to face us on completion of the prayer.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 807:

Narrated Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani:

The Prophet led us in the Fajr prayer at Hudaibiya after a rainy night. On completion of the prayer, he faced the people and said, “Do you know what your Lord has said (revealed)?” The people replied, “Allah and His Apostle know better.” He said, “Allah has said, ‘In this morning some of my slaves remained as true believers and some became non-believers; whoever said that the rain was due to the Blessings and the Mercy of Allah had belief in Me and he disbelieves in the stars, and whoever said that it rained because of a particular star had no belief in Me but believes in that star.’ “


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 808:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

Once the Prophet delayed the ‘Isha’ prayer until midnight and then came to us. Having prayed he faced us and said, “The people had prayed and slept but you were in the prayer as long as you were waiting for it.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 809:

Narrated Um Salama:

“The Prophet after finishing the prayer with Taslim used to stay at his place for a while.” Ibn Shihab said, “I think (and Allah knows better), that he used to wait for the departure of the women who had prayed.” Ibn Shihab wrote that he had heard it from Hind bint Al-Harith Al-Firasiya from Um Salama, the wife of the Prophet (Hind was from the companions of Um Salama) who said, “When the Prophet finished the prayer with Taslim, the women would depart and enter their houses before Allah’s Apostle departed.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 810:

Narrated ‘Uqba:

I offered the ‘Asr prayer behind the Prophet at Medina. When he had finished the prayer with Taslim, he got up hurriedly and went out by crossing the rows of the people to one of the dwellings of his wives. The people got scared at his speed . The Prophet came back and found the people surprised at his haste and said to them, “I remembered a piece of gold Lying in my house and I did not like it to divert my attention from Allah’s worship, so I have ordered it to be distributed (in charity).”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 811:

Narrated ‘Abdullah:

You should not give away a part of your prayer to Satan by thinking that it is necessary to depart (after finishing the prayer) from one’s right side only; I have seen the Prophet often leave from the left side.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 812:

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:

During the holy battle of Khaibar the Prophet said, “Whoever ate from this plant (i.e. garlic) should not enter our mosque.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 813:

Narrated ‘Ata’:

I heard Jabir bin ‘Abdullah saying, “The Prophet said, ‘Whoever eats (from) this plant (he meant garlic) should keep away from our mosque.” I said, “What does he mean by that?” He replied, “I think he means only raw garlic.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 814:

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah:

The Prophet said, “Whoever eats garlic or onion should keep away from our mosque or should remain in his house.” (Jabir bin ‘Abdullah, in another narration said, “Once a big pot containing cooked vegetables was brought. On finding unpleasant smell coming from it, the Prophet asked, ‘What is in it?’ He was told all the names of the vegetables that were in it. The Prophet ordered that it should be brought near to some of his companions who were with him. When the Prophet saw it he disliked to eat it and said, ‘Eat. (I don’t eat) for I converse with those whom you don’t converse with (i.e. the angels).”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 815:

Narrated ‘Abdul ‘Aziz:

A man asked Anas, “What did you hear from the Prophet about garlic?” He said, “The Prophet said, ‘Whoever has eaten this plant should neither come near us nor pray with us.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 816:

Narrated Sulaiman Ash-Shaibam:

I heard Ash-Sha’bi saying, “A person who was accompanying the Prophet passed by a grave that was separated from the other graves told me that the Prophet once led the people in the (funeral) prayer and the people had aligned behind him. I said, “O Aba ‘Amr! Who told you about it?” He said, “Ibn Abbas.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 817:

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:

The Prophet said, “Ghusl (taking a bath) on Friday is compulsory for every Muslim reaching the age of puberty.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 818:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

One night I slept at the house of my aunt Maimuna and the Prophet slept (too). He got up (for prayer) in the last hours of the night and performed a light ablution from a hanging leather skin. (‘Amr, the sub-narrator described that the ablution was very light). Then he stood up for prayer and I got up too and performed the ablution in the same way and joined him on his left side. He pulled me to the right and prayed as much as Allah will. Then he lay down and slept and I heard his breath sounds till the Mu’adh-dhin came to him to inform him about the (Fajr) prayer. He left with him for the prayer and prayed without repeating the ablution. (Sufyan the subnarrator said: We said to ‘Amr, “Some people say, ‘The eyes of the Prophet sleep but his heart never sleeps.’ ” ‘Amr said, “‘Ubai bin ‘Umar said, ‘The dreams of the Prophets are Divine Inspirations. Then he recited, ‘(O my son), I have seen in dream that I was slaughtering you (offering you in sacrifice).”) (37.102)


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 819:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

My grandmother Mulaika invited Allah’s Apostle for a meal which she had prepared specially for him. He ate some of it and said, “Get up. I shall lead you in the prayer.” I brought a mat that had become black owing to excessive use and I sprinkled water on it. Allah’s Apostle stood on it and prayed two Rakat; and the orphan was with me (in the first row), and the old lady stood behind us.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 820:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

Once I came riding a she-ass and I, then, had just attained the age of puberty. Allah’s Apostle was leading the people in prayer at Mina facing no wall. I passed in front of the row and let loose the she-ass for grazing and joined the row and no one objected to my deed.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 821:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

Once Allah’s Apostle delayed the ‘Isha’ prayer till ‘Umar informed him that the women and children had slept. Then Allah’s Apostle came out and said: “None from amongst the dwellers of earth have prayed this prayer except you.” In those days none but the people of Medina prayed.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 822:

Narrated ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Abis:

A person asked Ibn Abbas, “Have you ever presented yourself at the (‘Id) prayer with Allah’s Apostle?” He replied, “Yes.” And had it not been for my kinship (position) with the Prophet it would not have been possible for me to do so (for he was too young). The Prophet went to the mark near the house of Kathir bin As-Salt and delivered a sermon. He then went towards the women. He advised and reminded them and asked them to give alms. So the woman would bring her hand near her neck and take off her necklace and put it in the garment of Bilal. Then the Prophet and Bilal came to the house.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 823:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

Once Allah’s Apostle delayed the ‘Isha’ prayer till ‘Umar informed him that the women and children had slept. The Prophet came out and said, “None except you from amongst the dwellers of earth is waiting for this prayer.” In those days, there was no prayer except in Medina and they used to pray the ‘Isha’ prayer between the disappearance of the twilight and the first third of the night.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 824:

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:

The Prophet said, “If your women ask permission to go to the mosque at night, allow them.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 825:

Narrated Um Salama:

(the wife of the Prophet) In the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle the women used to get up when they finished their compulsory prayers with Taslim. The Prophet and the men would stay on at their places as long as Allah will. When the Prophet got up, the men would then get up.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 826:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

When Allah’s Apostle finished the Fajr prayer, the women would leave covered in their sheets and were not recognized owing to the darkness.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 827:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Abi Qatada Al-Ansari:

My father said, “Allah’s Apostle said, “Whenever I stand for prayer, I want to prolong it but on hearing the cries of a child, I would shorten it as I dislike to put its mother in trouble.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 828:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

Had Allah’s Apostle known what the women were doing, he would have forbidden them from going to the mosque as the women of Bani Israel had been forbidden. Yahya bin Said (a sub-narrator) asked ‘Amra (another sub-narrator), “Were the women of Bani Israel forbidden?” She replied “Yes.”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 829:

Narrated Um Salama:

Whenever Allah’s Apostle completed the prayer with Taslim, the women used to get up immediately and Allah’s Apostle would remain at his place for someone before getting up. (The sub-narrator (Az-Zuhri) said, “We think, and Allah knows better, that he did so, so that the women might leave before men could get in touch with them).”


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 830:

Narrated Anas:

The Prophet prayed in the house of Um Sulaim; and I, along with an orphan stood behind him while Um Sulaim (stood) behind us.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 831:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

Allah’s Apostle used to offer the Fajr prayer when it was still dark and the believing women used to return (after finishing their prayer) and nobody could recognize them owing to darkness, or they could not recognize one another.


Volume 1, Book 12, Number 832:

Narrated Salim bin ‘Abdullah:

My father said, “The Prophet said, ‘If the wife of any one of you asks permission (to go to the mosque) do not forbid her.”


[ Index Page]

Sahih Bukhari : Book 18: Eclipses

Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 18:

Eclipses

Volume 2, Book 18, Number 150:

Narrated Abu Bakra:

We were with Allah’s Apostle when the sun eclipsed. Allah’s Apostle stood up dragging his cloak till he entered the Mosque. He led us in a two-Rakat prayer till the sun (eclipse) had cleared. Then the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of someone’s death. So whenever you see these eclipses pray and invoke (Allah) till the eclipse is over.”


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 151:

Narrated Abu Masud:

The Prophet said, “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death of someone from the people but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. When you see them stand up and pray.”


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 152:

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:

The Prophet said, “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life (i.e. birth) of someone but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. When you see them offer the prayer.”


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 153:

Narrated Al-Mughira bin Shu’ba:

“The sun eclipsed in the life-time of Allah’s Apostle on the day when (his son) Ibrahim died. So the people said that the sun had eclipsed because of the death of Ibrahim. Allah’s Apostle said, “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life (i.e. birth) of some-one. When you see the eclipse pray and invoke Allah.”


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 154:

Narrated ‘Aisha :

In the life-time of Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) the sun eclipsed, so he led the people in prayer, and stood up and performed a long Qiyam, then bowed for a long while. He stood up again and performed a long Qiyam but this time the period of standing was shorter than the first. He bowed again for a long time but shorter than the first one, then he prostrated and prolonged the prostration. He did the same in the second Raka as he did in the first and then finished the prayer; by then the sun (eclipse) had cleared. He delivered the Khutba (sermon) and after praising and glorifying Allah he said, “The sun and the moon are two signs against the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone. So when you see the eclipse, remember Allah and say Takbir, pray and give Sadaqa.” The Prophet then said, “O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! There is none who has more ghaira (self-respect) than Allah as He has forbidden that His slaves, male or female commit adultery (illegal sexual intercourse). O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! If you knew that which I know you would laugh little and weep much.


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 155:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr :

“When the sun eclipsed in the life-time of Allah’s Apostle an announcement was made that a prayer was to be offered in congregation.”


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 156:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

(the wife of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) In the lifetime of the Prophet the sun eclipsed and he went to the Mosque and the people aligned behind him. He said the Takbir (starting the prayer) and prolonged the recitation (from the Quran) and then said Takbir and performed a prolonged bowing; then he (lifted his head and) said, “Sami allahu liman hamidah” (Allah heard him who sent his praises to Him). He then did not prostrate but stood up and recited a prolonged recitation which was shorter than the first recitation. He again said Takbir and then bowed a prolonged bowing but shorter than the first one and then said, “Sami ‘a-l-lahu Lyman hamidah Rabbana walak-lhamd, (Allah heard him who sent his praises to Him. O our Sustainer! All the praises are for You)” and then prostrated and did the same in the second Raka; thus he completed four bowing and four prostrations. The sun (eclipse) had cleared before he finished the prayer. (After the prayer) he stood up, glorified and praised Allah as He deserved and then said, “The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allah. They do not eclipse because of the death or the life (i.e. birth) of someone. When you see them make haste for the prayer.” Narrated Az-Zuhri: I said to ‘Ursa, “When the sun eclipsed at Medina your brother (‘Abdullah bin Az-Zubair) offered only a two-Rakat prayer like that of the morning (Fajr) prayer.” ‘Ursa replied, “Yes, for he missed the Prophet’s tradition (concerning this matter).”


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 157:

Narrated Aisha:

(the wife of the Prophet) On the day when the sun Khasafat (eclipsed) Allah’s Apostle prayed; he stood up and said Takbir and recited a prolonged recitation, then he performed a prolonged bowing, then he raised his head and said, “Sami’a-l-lahu Lyman Hamidah,” and then remained standing and recited a prolonged recitation which was shorter than the first. Then he performed a prolonged bowing which was shorter than the first. Then he prostrated and prolonged the prostration and he did the same in the second Raka as in the first and then finished the prayer with Taslim. By that time the sun (eclipse) had cleared He addressed the people and said, “The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse (Yakhsifan) because of the death or the life (i.e. birth) of someone. So when you see them make haste for the prayer.”


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 158:

Narrated Abu Bakra:

Allah’s Apostle said: “The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah and they do not eclipse because of the death of someone but Allah frightens His devotees with them.”


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 159:

Narrated ‘Amra bint ‘AbdurRahman:

A Jewess came to ask ‘Aisha (the wife of the Prophet) about something. She said to her, “May Allah give you refuge from the punishment of the grave.” So ‘Aisha ‘ asked Allah’s Apostle “Would the people be punished in their graves?” Allah’s Apostle after seeking refuge with Allah from the punishment of the grave (and thus replied in the affirmative). Then one day, Allah’s Apostle rode to go to some place but the sun eclipsed. He returned in the forenoon and passed through the rear of the dwellings (of his wives) and stood for the (eclipse) prayer, and the people stood behind him. He stood up for a long period and then performed a prolonged bowing which was shorter than the first bowing. Then he raised his head and prostrated. Then he stood up (for the second Raka) for a long while but the standing was shorter than that of the first Raka. Then he performed a prolonged bowing which was shorter than the first one. Then he raised his head and prostrated. Then he stood up for a long time but shorter than the first. Then he performed a prolonged bowing but shorter than the first. Then he raised his head and prostrated and finished the prayer and (then delivered the sermon and) said as much as Allah wished. And then he ordered the people to seek refuge with Allah from the punishment of the grave.


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 160:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr

When the sun eclipsed in the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle and an announcement was made that the prayer was to be held in congregation. The Prophet performed two bowing in one Raka. Then he stood up and performed two bowing in one Raka. Then he sat down and finished the prayer; and by then the (eclipse) had cleared ‘Aisha said, “I had never performed such a long prostration.”


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 161:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Abbas:

The sun eclipsed in the life-time of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) . Allah’s Apostle offered the eclipse prayer and stood for a long period equal to the period in which one could recite Surat-al-Baqara. Then he bowed for a long time and then stood up for a long period which was shorter than that of the first standing, then bowed again for a long time but for a shorter period than the first; then he prostrated twice and then stood up for a long period which was shorter than that of the first standing; then he bowed for a long time which was shorter than the previous one, and then he raised his head and stood up for a long period which was shorter than the first standing, then he bowed for a long time which was shorter than the first bowing, and then prostrated (twice) and finished the prayer. By then, the sun (eclipse) had cleared. The Prophet then said, “The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allah. They eclipse neither because of the death of somebody nor because of his life (i.e. birth). So when you see them, remember Allah.” The people say, “O Allah’s Apostle! We saw you taking something from your place and then we saw you retreating.” The Prophet replied, “I saw Paradise and stretched my hands towards a bunch (of its fruits) and had I taken it, you would have eaten from it as long as the world remains. I also saw the Hell-fire and I had never seen such a horrible sight. I saw that most of the inhabitants were women.” The people asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! Why is it so?” The Prophet replied, “Because of their ungratefulness.” It was asked whether they are ungrateful to Allah. The Prophet said, “They are ungrateful to their companions of life (husbands) and ungrateful to good deeds. If you are benevolent to one of them throughout the life and if she sees anything (undesirable) in you, she will say, ‘I have never had any good from you.’ “


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 162:

Narrated Fatima bint Al-Mundhir:

Asma’ bint Al Bakr said, “I came to ‘Aisha the wife of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) during the solar eclipse. The people were standing and offering the prayer and she was also praying too. I asked her, ‘What has happened to the people?’ She pointed out with her hand towards the sky and said, ‘Subhan-Allah’. I said, ‘Is there a sign?’ She pointed out in the affirmative.” Asma’ further said, “I too then stood up for the prayer till I fainted and then poured water on my head. When Allah’s Apostle had finished his prayer, he thanked and praised Allah and said, ‘I have seen at this place of mine what I have never seen even Paradise and Hell. No doubt, it has been inspired to me that you will be put to trial in the graves like or nearly like the trial of (Masih) Ad-Dajjal. (I do not know which one of the two Asma’ said.) (The angels) will come to everyone of you and will ask what do you know about this man (i.e. Muhammad). The believer or a firm believer (I do not know which word Asma’ said) will reply, ‘He is Muhammad, Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) who came to us with clear evidences and guidance, so we accepted his teachings, believed and followed him.’ The angels will then say to him, ‘Sleep peacefully as we knew surely that you were a firm believer.’ The hypocrite or doubtful person (I do not know which word Asma’ said) will say, ‘I do not know. I heard the people saying something so I said it (the same).’ “


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 163:

Narrated Asma:

No doubt the Prophet ordered people to manumit slaves during the solar eclipse.


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 164:

Narrated ‘Amra bint ‘AbdurRahman:

A Jewess came to ‘Aisha to ask her about something and then she said, “May Allah give you refuge from the punishment of the grave.” So ‘Aisha asked Allah’s Apostle, “Would the people be punished in their graves?” Allah’s Apostle asked Allah’s refuge from the punishment of the grave (indicating an affirmative reply). Then one day Allah’s Apostle rode (to leave for some place) but the sun eclipsed. He returned on the forenoon and passed through the rear of the dwellings (of his wives) and stood up and started offering the (eclipse) prayer and the people stood behind him. He stood for a long period and then performed a long bowing and then stood straight for a long period which was shorter than that of the first standing, then he performed a prolonged bowing which was shorter than the first bowing, then he raised his head and prostrated for a long time and then stood up (for the second Raka) for a long while, but the standing was shorter than the standing of the first Raka. Then he performed a prolonged bowing which was shorter than that of the first one. He then stood up for a long time but shorter than the first, then again performed a long bowing which was shorter than the first and then prostrated for a shorter while than that of the first prostration. Then he finished the prayer and delivered the sermon and) said what Allah wished; and ordered the people to seek refuge with Allah from the punishment of the grave.


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 165:

Narrated Abu Masud:

Allah’s Apostle said, “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of someone’s death or life but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah, so pray whenever you see them.”


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 166:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

In the lifetime of the Prophet the sun eclipsed and the Prophet (p.b.u.h) stood up to offer the prayer with the people and recited a long recitation, then he performed a prolonged bowing, and then lifted his head and recited a prolonged recitation which was shorter than the first. Then he performed a prolonged bowing which was shorter than the first and then lifted his head and performed two prostrations. He then stood up for the second Raka and offered it like the first. Then he stood up and said, “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of someone’s life or death but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah which He shows to His worshipers. So whenever you see them, make haste for the prayer.”


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 167:

Narrated Abu Musa:

The sun eclipsed and the Prophet got up, being afraid that it might be the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment). He went to the Mosque and offered the prayer with the longest Qiyam, bowing and prostration that I had ever seen him doing. Then he said, “These signs which Allah sends do not occur because of the life or death of somebody, but Allah makes His worshipers afraid by them. So when you see anything thereof, proceed to remember Allah, invoke Him and ask for His forgiveness.”


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 168:

Narrated Al-Mughira bin Shu’ba :

On the day of Ibrahim’s death, the sun eclipsed and the people said that the eclipse was due to the death of Ibrahim (the son of the Prophet). Allah’s Apostle said, “The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. They do not eclipse because of someone’s death or life. So when you see them, invoke Allah and pray till the eclipse is clear.”


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 169:

Narrated Abu Bakra:

In the life-time of the Prophet the sun eclipsed and then he offered a two Rakat prayer.


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 170:

Narrated Abu Bakra:

In the life-time of the Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) the sun eclipsed and he went out dragging his clothes till he reached the Mosque. The people gathered around him and he led them and offered two Rakat. When the sun (eclipse) cleared, he said, “The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse because of the death of someone, and so when an eclipse occurs, pray and invoke Allah till the eclipse is over.” It happened that a son of the Prophet called Ibrahim died on that day and the people were talking about that (saying that the eclipse was caused by his death).


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 171:

Narrated Aisha:

The Prophet led us and performed four bowing in two Rakat during the solar eclipse and the first Raka was longer.


Volume 2, Book 18, Number 172:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) recited (the Quran) aloud during the eclipse prayer and when he had finished the eclipse prayer he said the Takbir and bowed. When he stood straight from bowing he would say “Sami ‘al-l-ahu Lyman hamidah Rabbana walaka-l-hamd.” And he would again start reciting. In the eclipse prayer there are four bowing and four prostrations in two Rakat. Al-Auza’i and others said that they had heard Az-Zuhi from ‘Ursa from ‘Aisha saying, “In the life-time of Allah’s Apostle the sun eclipsed, and he made a person to announce: ‘Prayer in congregation.’ He led the prayer and performed four bowing and four prostrations in two Rakat.” Narrated Al-Walid that ‘Abdur-Rahman bin Namir had informed him that he had heard the same. Ibn Shihab heard the same. Az-Zuhrl said, “I asked (‘Ursa), ‘What did your brother ‘Abdullah bin AzZubair do? He prayed two Rakat (of the eclipse prayer) like the morning prayer, when he offered the (eclipse) prayer in Median.’ ‘Ursa replied that he had missed (i.e. did not pray according to) the Prophet’s tradition.” Sulaiman bin Kathir and Sufyan bin Husain narrated from Az-Zuhri that the prayer for the eclipse used to be offered with loud recitation.


[ Index Page]

Sahih Bukhari : Book 10: Times of the Prayers

Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 10:

Times of the Prayers

Volume 1, Book 10, Number 500:

Narrated Ibn Shihab:

Once’Umar bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz delayed the prayer and ‘Urwa bin Az-Zubair went to him and said, “Once in ‘Iraq, Al-MughTra bin Shu’ba delayed his prayers and Abi Mas’ud Al-Ansari went to him and said, ‘O Mughira! What is this? Don’t you know that once Gabriel came and offered the prayer (Fajr prayer) and Allah’s Apostle prayed too, then he prayed again (Zuhr prayer) and so did Allah’s Apostle and again he prayed (‘Asr prayers and Allah’s Apostle did the same; again he prayed (Maghrib-prayer) and so did Allah’s Apostle and again prayed (‘Isha prayer) and so did Allah’s Apostle and (Gabriel) said, ‘I was ordered to do so (to demonstrate the prayers prescribed to you)?'” ‘Umar (bin ‘Abdul ‘AzTz) said to ‘Urwa, “Be sure of what you Say. Did Gabriel lead Allah’s Apostle at the stated times of the prayers?” ‘Urwa replied, “Bashir bin Abi Mas’ud narrated like this on the authority of his father.” Urwa added, “Aisha told me that Allah’s Apostle used to pray ‘Asr prayer when the sun-shine was still inside her residence (during the early time of ‘Asr).”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 501:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

“Once a delegation of ‘Abdul Qais came to Allah’s Apostle and said, “We belong to such and such branch of the tribe of Rab’a and we can only come to you in the sacred months. Order us to do something good so that we may (carry out) take it from you and also invite to it our people whom we have left behind (at home).” The Prophet said, ” I order you to do four things and forbid you from four things. (The first four are as follows):

1. To believe in Allah. (And then he: explained it to them i.e.) to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and (Muhammad) am Allah’s Apostle

2. To offer prayers perfectly (at the stated times):

3. To pay Zakat (obligatory charity)

4. To give me Khumus

(The other four things which are forbidden are as follows):

1. Dubba

2. Hantam

3. Muqaiyat

4. Naqir (all these are utensils used for the preparation of alcoholic drinks).”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 502:

Narrated Jarir bin ‘Abdullah:

I gave the pledge of allegiance to Allah’s Apostle for to offer prayers perfectly, to pay Zakat regularly, and to give good advice to every Muslim.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 503:

Narrated Shaqiq:

that he had heard Hudhaifa saying, “Once I was sitting with ‘Umar and he said, ‘Who amongst you remembers the statement of Allah’s Apostle about the afflictions?’ I said, ‘I know it as the Prophet had said it.’ ‘Umar said, ‘No doubt you are bold.’ I said, ‘The afflictions caused for a man by his wife, money, children and neighbor are expiated by his prayers, fasting, charity and by enjoining (what is good) and forbidding (what is evil).’ ‘Umar said, ‘I did not mean that but I asked about that affliction which will spread like the waves of the sea.’ I (Hudhaifa) said, ‘O leader of the faithful believers! You need not be afraid of it as there is a closed door between you and it.’ ‘Umar asked, Will the door be broken or opened?’ I replied, ‘It will be broken.’ ‘Umar said, ‘Then it will never be closed again.’ I was asked whether ‘Umar knew that door. I replied that he knew it as one knows that there will be night before the tomorrow morning. I narrated a Hadith that was free from any mis-statement” The subnarrator added that they deputed Masruq to ask Hudhaifa (about the door). Hudhaifa said, “The door was ‘Umar himself.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 504:

Narrated Ibn Mas’ud:

A man kissed a woman (unlawfully) and then went to the Prophet and informed him. Allah revealed:

And offer prayers perfectly At the two ends of the day And in some hours of the night (i.e. the five compulsory prayers). Verily! good deeds remove (annul) the evil deeds (small sins) (11.114). The man asked Allah’s Apostle, “Is it for me?” He said, “It is for all my followers.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 505:

Narrated ‘Abdullah:

I asked the Prophet “Which deed is the dearest to Allah?” He replied, “To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times.” I asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To be good and dutiful to your parents” I again asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, ‘To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Allah’s cause.” ‘Abdullah added, “I asked only that much and if I had asked more, the Prophet would have told me more.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 506:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day would you notice any dirt on him?” They said, “Not a trace of dirt would be left.” The Prophet added, “That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out (annuls) evil deeds.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 507:

Narrated Ghailan:

Anas said, “I do not find (now-a-days) things as they were (practiced) at the time of the Prophet.” Somebody said “The prayer (is as it was.)” Anas said, “Have you not done in the prayer what you have done?

Narrated Az-Zuhri that he visited Anas bin Malik at Damascus and found him weeping and asked him why he was weeping. He replied, “I do not know anything which I used to know during the life-time of Allah’s Apostle except this prayer which is being lost (not offered as it should be).”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 508:

Narrated Anas:

The Prophet said, “Whenever anyone of you offers his prayer he is speaking in private to his Lord. So he should not spit to his right but under his left foot.” Qatada said, “He should not spit in front of him but to his left or under his feet.” And Shu’ba said, “He should not spit in front of him, nor to his right but to his left or under his foot.” Anas said: The Prophet said, “He should neither spit in the direction of his Qibla nor to his right but to his left or under his foot.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 509:

Narrated Anas:

The Prophet said, “Do the prostration properly and do not put your fore-arms flat with elbows touching the ground like a dog. And if you want to spit, do not spit in front, nor to the right for the person in prayer is speaking in private to his Lord.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 510:

Narrated Abu Huraira and ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar:

Allah’s Apostle said, “If it is very hot, then pray the Zuhr prayer when it becomes (a bit) cooler, as the severity of the heat is from the raging of the Hell-fire.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 511:

Narrated Abu Dhar:

The Muadhdhin (call-maker) of the Prophet pronounced the Adhan (call) for the Zuhr prayer but the Prophet said, “Let it be cooler, let it be cooler.” Or said, ‘Wait, wait, because the severity of heat is from the raging of the Hell-fire. In severe hot weather, pray when it becomes (a bit) cooler and the shadows of hillocks appear.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 512:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, “In very hot weather delay the Zuhr prayer till it becomes (a bit) cooler because the severity of heat is from the raging of Hell-fire. The Hell-fire of Hell complained to its Lord saying: O Lord! My parts are eating (destroying) one another. So Allah allowed it to take two breaths, one in the winter and the other in the summer. The breath in the summer is at the time when you feel the severest heat and the breath in the winter is at the time when you feel the severest cold.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 513:

Narrated Abu Sa’id:

that Allah’s Apostle said, “Pray Zuhr prayer when it becomes (a bit) cooler as the severity of heat is from the raging of the Hell-fire.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 514:

Narrated Abu Dhar Al-Ghifar:

We were with the Prophet on a journey and the Mu’adhdhin (call maker for the prayer) wanted to pronounce the Adhan (call) for the Zuhr prayer. The Prophet said, ‘Let it become cooler.” He again (after a while) wanted to pronounce the Adhan but the Prophet said to him, “Let it become cooler till we see the shadows of hillocks.” The Prophet added, “The severity of heat is from the raging of the Hell-fire, and in very hot weather pray (Zuhr) when it becomes cooler.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 515:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

Allah’s Apostle came out as the sun declined at mid-day and offered the Zuhr prayer. He then stood on the pulpit and spoke about the Hour (Day of Judgment) and said that in it there would be tremendous things. He then said, “Whoever likes to ask me about anything he can do so and I shall reply as long as I am at this place of mine. Most of the people wept and the Prophet said repeatedly, “Ask me.” Abdullah bin Hudhafa As-Sahmi stood up and said, “Who is my father?” The Prophet said, “Your father is Hudhafa.” The Prophet repeatedly said, “Ask me.” Then Umar knelt before him and said, “We are pleased with Allah as our Lord, Islam as our religion, and Muhammad as our Prophet.” The Prophet then became quiet and said, “Paradise and Hell-fire were displayed in front of me on this wall just now and I have never seen a better thing (than the former) and a worse thing (than the latter).”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 516:

Narrated Abu Al-Minhal:

Abu Barza said, “The Prophet used to offer the Fajr (prayer) when one could recognize the person sitting by him (after the prayer) and he used to recite between 60 to 100 Ayat (verses) of the Qur’an. He used to offer the Zuhr prayer as soon as the sun declined (at noon) and the ‘Asr at a time when a man might go and return from the farthest place in Medina and find the sun still hot. (The sub-narrator forgot what was said about the Maghrib). He did not mind delaying the ‘Isha prayer to one third of the night or the middle of the night.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 517:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

When we offered the Zuhr prayers behind Allah’s Apostle we used to prostrate on our clothes to protect ourselves from the heat.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 518:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

“The Prophet prayed eight Rakat for the Zuhr and ‘Asr, and seven for the Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers in Medina.” Aiyub said, “Perhaps those were rainy nights.” Anas said, “May be.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 519:

Narrated Aisha:

Allah’s Apostle used to offer the ‘Asr prayer when the sunshine had not disappeared from my chamber.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 520:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

Allah’s Apostle used to offer the ‘Asr prayers at a time when the sunshine was still inside my chamber and no shadow had yet appeared in it.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 521:

Narrated Aisha:

The Prophet used to pray the ‘Asr prayers at a time when the sunshine was still inside my chamber and no shadow had yet appeared in it.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 522:

Narrated Saiyar bin Salama:

I along with my father went to Abu- Barza Al-Aslarrni and my father asked him, “How Allah’s Apostle used to offer the five compulsory congregational prayers?” Abu- Barza said, “The Prophet used to pray the Zuhr prayer which you (people) call the first one at mid-day when the sun had just declined The Asr prayer at a time when after the prayer, a man could go to the house at the farthest place in Medina (and arrive) while the sun was still hot. (I forgot about the Maghrib prayer). The Prophet Loved to delay the ‘Isha which you call Al- Atama and he disliked sleeping before it and speaking after it. After the Fajr prayer he used to leave when a man could recognize the one sitting beside him and he used to recite between 60 to 100 Ayat (in the Fajr prayer) .


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 523:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

We used to pray the Asr prayer and after that if someone happened to go to the tribe of Bani Amr bin Auf, he would find them still praying the Asr (prayer).


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 524:

Narrated Abu Bakr bin Uthman bin Sahl bin Hunaif:

that he heard Abu Umama saying: We prayed the Zuhr prayer with ‘Umar bin Abdul Aziz and then went to Anas bin Malik and found him offering the Asr prayer. I asked him, “O uncle! Which prayer have you offered?” He said ‘The Asr and this is (the time of) the prayer of Allah s Apostle which we used to pray with him.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 525:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

Allah’s Apostle used to offer the ‘Asr prayer at a time when the sun was still hot and high and if a person went to Al-‘Awali (a place) of Medina, he would reach there when the sun was still high. Some of Al-‘Awali of Medina were about four miles or so from the town.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 526:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

We used to pray the ‘Asr and after that if one of US went to Quba’he would arrive there while the sun was still high.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 527:

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:

Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever misses the ‘Asr prayer (intentionally) then it is as if he lost his family and property.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 528:

Narrated Abu Al-Mahh:

We were with Buraida in a battle on a cloudy day and he said, “Offer the ‘Asr prayer early as the Prophet said, “Whoever leaves the ‘Asr prayer, all his (good) deeds will be annulled.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 529:

Narrated Qais:

Jarir said, “We were with the Prophet and he looked at the moon–full-moon–and said, ‘Certainly you will see your Lord as you see this moon and you will have no trouble in seeing Him. So if you can avoid missing (through sleep or business, etc.) a prayer before the sun-rise (Fajr) and a prayer before sunset (‘Asr), you must do so.’ He then recited Allah’s Statement:

And celebrate the praises Of your Lord before The rising of the sun And before (its) setting.” (50.39) Isma’il said, “Offer those prayers and do not miss them.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 530:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle said, “Angels come to you in succession by night and day and all of them get together at the time of the Fajr and ‘Asr prayers. Those who have passed the night with you (or stayed with you) ascend (to the Heaven) and Allah asks them, though He knows everything about you, well, “In what state did you leave my slaves?” The angels reply: “When we left them they were praying and when we reached them, they were praying.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 531:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle said, “If anyone of you can get one Rak’a of the ‘Asr prayer before sunset, he should complete his prayer. If any of you can get one Rak’a of the Fajr prayer before sunrise, he should complete his prayer.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 532:

Narrated Salim bin ‘Abdullah:

My father said, “I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, ‘The period of your stay as compared to the previous nations is like the period equal to the time between the ‘Asr prayer and sunset. The people of the Torah were given the Torah and they acted (upon it) till mid-day then they were exhausted and were given one Qirat (of gold) each. And then the people of the Gospel were given the Gospel and they acted (upon it) till the ‘Asr prayer then they were exhausted and were! given one Qirat each. And then we were given the Qur’an and we acted (upon it) till sunset and we were given two Qirats each. On that the people of both the scriptures said, ‘O our Lord! You have given them two Qirats and given us one Qirat, though we have worked more than they.’ Allah said, ‘Have I usurped some of your right?’ They said, ‘No.’ Allah said: “That is my blessing I bestow upon whomsoever I wish.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 533:

Narrated Abu Musa:

The Prophet said, “The example of Muslims, Jews and Christians is like the example of a man who employed laborers to work for him from morning till night. They worked till mid-day and they said, ‘We are not in need of your reward.’ SO the man employed another batch and said to them, ‘Complete the rest of the day and yours will be the wages I had fixed (for the first batch). They worked Up till the time of the ‘Asr prayer and said, ‘Whatever we have done is for you.’ He employed another batch. They worked for the rest of the day till sunset, and they received the wages of the two former batches.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 534:

Narrated Rafi’ bin Khadij:

We used to offer the Maghrib prayer with the Prophet and after finishing the prayer one of us may go away and could still see as Par as the spots where one’s arrow might reach when shot by a bow.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 535:

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah:

The Prophet used to pray the Zuhr at mid-day, and the ‘Asr at a time when the sun was still bright, the Maghrib after sunset (at its stated time) and the Isha at a variable time. Whenever he saw the people assembled (for Isha’ prayer) he would pray earlier and if the people delayed, he would delay the prayer. And they or the Prophet used to offer the Fajr Prayers when it still dark.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 536:

Narrated Salama:

We used to pray the Maghrib prayer with the Prophet when the sun disappeared from the horizon.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 537:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

The Prophet prayed seven Rakat together and eight Rakat together.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 538:

Narrated ‘Abdullah Al-Muzani:

The Prophet said, “Do not be influenced by bedouins regarding the name of your Maghrib prayer which is called ‘Isha’ by them.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 539:

Narrated Abdullah:

“One night Allah’s Apostle led us in the ‘Isha’ prayer and that is the one called Al-‘Atma by the people. After the completion of the prayer, he faced us and said, “Do you know the importance of this night? Nobody present on the surface of the earth to-night will be living after one hundred years from this night.” (See Hadith No. 575).


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 540:

Narrated Muhammad bin ‘Amr:

We asked Jabir bin ‘Abdullah about the prayers of the Prophet . He said, “He used to pray Zuhr prayer at mid-day, the ‘Asr when the sun was still hot, and the Maghrib after sunset (at its stated time). The ‘Isha was offered early if the people gathered, and used to be delayed if their number was less; and the morning prayer was offered when it was still dark. “


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 541:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

Allah’s Apostle once delayed the ‘Isha’ prayer and that was during the days when Islam still had not spread. The Prophet did not come out till ‘Umar informed him that the women and children had slept. Then he came out and said to the people of the mosque:”None amongst the dwellers of the earth has been waiting for it (‘Isha prayer) except you.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 542:

Narrated Abu Musa:

My companions, who came with me in the boat and I landed at a place called Baqi Buthan. The Prophet was in Medina at that time. One of us used to go to the Prophet by turns every night at the time of the Isha prayer. Once I along with my companions went to the Prophet and he was busy in some of his affairs, so the ‘Isha’ prayer was delayed to the middle of the night He then came out and led the people (in prayer). After finishing from the prayer, he addressed the people present there saying, “Be patient! Don’t go away. Have the glad tiding. It is from the blessing of Allah upon you that none amongst mankind has prayed at this time save you.” Or said, “None except you has prayed at this time.” Abu Muisa added, ‘So we returned happily after what we heard from Alllah’s Apostle .”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 543:

Narrated Abu Barza:

Allah’s Apostle disliked to sleep before the ‘Isha’ prayer and to talk after it.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 544:

Narrated Ibn Shihab from ‘Urwa:

‘Aisha said, “Once Allah’s Apostle delayed the ‘Isha’ prayer till ‘Umar reminded him by saying, “The prayer!” The women and children have slept. Then the Prophet came out and said, ‘None amongst the dwellers of the earth has been waiting for it (the prayer) except you.” Urwa said, “Nowhere except in Medina the prayer used to be offered (in those days).” He further said, “The Prophet used to offer the ‘Isha’ prayer in the period between the disappearance of the twilight and the end of the first third of the night.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 545:

Narrated Ibn Juraij from Nafi:

‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar said, “Once Allah’s Apostle was busy (at the time of the ‘Isha’), so the prayer was delayed so much so that we slept and woke up and slept and woke up again. The Prophet came out and said, ‘None amongst the dwellers of the earth but you have been waiting for the prayer.” Ibn ‘Umar did not find any harm in praying it earlier or in delaying it unless he was afraid that sleep might overwhelm him and he might miss the prayer, and sometimes he used to sleep before the ‘Isha’ prayer. Ibn Juraij said, “I said to ‘Ata’, ‘I heard Ibn ‘Abbas saying: Once Allah’s Apostle delayed the ‘Isha’ prayer to such an extent that the people slept and got up and slept again and got up again. Then ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab I, stood up and reminded the Prophet I of the prayer.’ ‘Ata’ said, ‘Ibn ‘Abbas said: The Prophet came out as if I was looking at him at this time, and water was trickling from his head and he was putting his hand on his head and then said, ‘Hadn’t I thought it hard for my followers, I would have ordered them to pray (‘Isha’ prayer) at this time.’ I asked ‘Ata’ for further information, how the Prophet had kept his hand on his head as he was told by Ibn ‘Abbas. ‘Ata’ separated his fingers slightly and put their tips on the side of the head, brought the fingers downwards approximating them till the thumb touched the lobe of the ear at the side of the temple and the beard on the face. He neither slowed nor hurried in this action but he acted like that. The Prophet said: “Hadn’t I thought it hard for my followers I would have ordered them to pray at this time.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 546:

Narrated Anas:

The Prophet delayed the’lsha’ prayer till midnight and then he offered the prayer and said, “The people prayed and slept but you have been in prayer as long as you have been waiting for it (the prayer).” Anas added: As if I am looking now at the glitter of the ring of the Prophet on that night.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 547:

Narrated Jarir bin ‘Abdullah:

We were with the Prophet on a full moon night. He looked at the moon and said, “You will certainly see your Lord as you see this moon, and there will be no trouble in seeing Him. So if you can avoid missing (through sleep, business, etc.) a prayer before the rising of the sun (Fajr) and before its setting (‘Asr) you must do so. He (the Prophet ) then recited the following verse:

And celebrate the praises Of Your Lord before The rising of the sun And before (its) setting.” (50.39)


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 548:

Narrated Abu Bakr bin Abi Musa:

My father said, “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Whoever prays the two cool prayers (‘Asr and Fajr) will go to Paradise.’ “


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 549:

Narrated Anas:

Zaid bin Thabit said, “We took the “Suhur” (the meal taken before dawn while fasting is observed) with the Prophet and then stood up for the (morning) prayer.” I asked him how long the interval between the two (Suhur and prayer) was. He replied, ‘The interval between the two was just sufficient to recite fifty to Sixty ‘Ayat.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 550:

Narrated Qatada:

Anas bin Malik said, “The Prophet and Zaid bin Thabit took the ‘Suhur’ together and after finishing the meal, the Prophet stood up and prayed (Fajr prayer).” I asked Anas, “How long was the interval between finishing their ‘Suhur’ and starting the prayer?” He replied, “The interval between the two was just sufficient to recite fifty ‘Ayat.” (Verses of the Quran).”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 551:

Narrated Sahl bin Sa’d:

I used to take the “Suhur” meal with my family and hasten so as to catch the Fajr (morning prayer) with Allah’s Apostle


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 552:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

The believing women covered with their veiling sheets used to attend the Fajr prayer with Allah’s Apostle, and after finishing the prayer they would return to their home and nobody could recognize them because of darkness.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 553:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever could get one Rak’a (of the Fajr prayer) before sunrise, he has got the (morning) prayer and whoever could get one Rak’a of the’Asr prayer before sunset, he has got the (‘Asr) prayer.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 554:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever could get one Rak’a of a prayer, (in its proper time) he has got the prayer.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 555:

Narrated ‘Umar:

“The Prophet forbade praying after the Fajr prayer till the sun rises and after the ‘Asr prayer till the sun sets.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 556:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

Some people told me the same narration (as above).


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 557:

Narrated Hisham’s father:

Ibn ‘Umar said, “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Do not pray at the time of sunrise and at the time of sunset.’ ” Ibn ‘Umar said, “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘If the edge of the sun appears (above the horizon) delay the prayer till it becomes high, and if the edge of the sun disappears, delay the prayer till it sets (disappears completely).’ “


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 558:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle forbade two kinds of sales, two kinds of dresses, and two prayers. He forbade offering prayers after the Fajr prayer till the rising of the sun and after the ‘Asr prayer till its setting. He also forbade “Ishtimal-Assama” and “al-Ihtiba” in one garment in such a way that one’s private parts are exposed towards the sky. He also forbade the sales called “Munabadha” and “Mulamasa.” (See Hadith No. 354 and 355 Vol. 3).


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 559:

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:

Allah’s Apostle said, “None of you should try to pray at sunrise or sunset.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 560:

Narrated Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri:

I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “There is no prayer after the morning prayer till the sun rises, and there is no prayer after the Asr prayer till the sun sets.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 561:

Narrated Muawiya:

You offer a prayer which I did not see being offered by Allah’s Apostle when we were in his company and he certainly had forbidden it (i.e. two Rakat after the Asr prayer).


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 562:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle forbade the offering of two prayers:

1. after the morning prayer till the sunrises.

2. after the ‘Asr prayer till the sun sets.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 563:

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:

I pray as I saw my companions praying. I do not forbid praying at any time during the day or night except at sunset and sunrise.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 564:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

By Allah, Who took away the Prophet. The Prophet never missed them (two Rakat) after the ‘Asr prayer till he met Allah and he did not meet Allah till it became heavy for him to pray while standing so he used to offer most of the prayers while sitting. (She meant the two Rakat after Asr) He used to pray them in the house and never prayed them in the mosque lest it might be hard for his followers and he loved what was easy for them .


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 565:

Narrated Hisham’s father:

‘Aisha (addressing me) said, “O son of my sister! The Prophet never missed two prostrations (i.e. Rakat) after the ‘Asr prayer in my house.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 566:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

Allah’s Apostle never missed two Rakat before the Fajr prayer and after the Asr prayer openly and secretly.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 567:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

Whenever the Prophet come to me after the ‘Asr prayer, he always prayed two Rakat.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 568:

Narrated Ibn Abu Malih:

I was with Buraida on a cloudy day and he said, “Offer the ‘Asr prayer earlier as the Prophet said, ‘Whoever leaves the ‘Asr prayer will have all his (good) deeds annulled.” (See Hadith No. 527 and 528)


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 569:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Abi Qatada:

My father said, “One night we were traveling with the Prophet and some people said, ‘We wish that Allah’s Apostle would take a rest along with us during the last hours of the night.’ He said, ‘I am afraid that you will sleep and miss the (Fajr) prayer.’ Bilal said, ‘I will make you get up.’ So all slept and Bilal rested his back against his Rahila and he too was overwhelmed (by sleep) and slept. The Prophet got up when the edge of the sun had risen and said, ‘O Bilal! What about your statement?’ He replied, ‘I have never slept such a sleep.’ The Prophet said, ‘Allah captured your souls when He wished, and released them when He wished. O Bilal! Get up and pronounce the Adhan for the prayer.’ The Prophet performed ablution and when the sun came up and became bright, he stood up and prayed.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 570:

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah:

On the day of Al-Khandaq (the battle of trench.) ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab came cursing the disbelievers of Quraish after the sun had set and said, “O Allah’s Apostle I could not offer the ‘Asr prayer till the sun had set.” The Prophet said, “By Allah! I, too, have not prayed.” So we turned towards Buthan, and the Prophet performed ablution and we too performed ablution and offered the ‘Asr prayer after the sun had set, and then he offered the Maghrib prayer.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 571:

Narrated Anas:

The Prophet said, “If anyone forgets a prayer he should pray that prayer when he remembers it. There is no expiation except to pray the same.” Then he recited: “Establish prayer for My (i.e. Allah’s) remembrance.” (20.14).


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 572:

Narrated Jabir:

Umar came cursing the disbelievers (of Quraish) on the day of Al-Khandaq (the battle of Trench) and said, “I could not offer the ‘Asr prayer till the sun had set. Then we went to Buthan and he offered the (‘Asr) prayer after sunset and then he offered the Maghrib prayer.


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 573:

Narrated Abu-l-Minhal:

My father and I went to Abi Barza Al-Aslami and my father said to him, “Tell us how Allah’s Apostle used to offer the compulsory congregational prayers.” He said, “He used to pray the Zuhr prayer, which you call the first prayer, as the sun declined at noon, the ‘Asr at a time when one of US could go to his family at the farthest place in Medina while the sun was still hot. (The narrator forgot what Abu Barza had said about the Maghrib prayer), and the Prophet preferred to pray the ‘Isha’ late and disliked to sleep before it or talk after it. And he used to return after finishing the morning prayer at such a time when it was possible for one to recognize the person sitting by his side and he (the Prophet) used to recite 60 to 100 ‘Ayat’ (verses) of the Qur’an in it.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 574:

Narrated Qurra bin Khalid:

Once he waited for Al-Hasan and he did not show up till it was about the usual time for him to start his speech; then he came and apologized saying, “Our neighbors invited us.” Then he added, “Narrated Anas, ‘Once we waited for the Prophet till it was midnight or about midnight. He came and led the prayer, and after finishing it, he addressed us and said, ‘All the people prayed and then slept and you had been in prayer as long as you were waiting for it.” Al-Hasan said, “The people are regarded as performing good deeds as long as they are waiting for doing good deeds.” Al-Hasan’s statement is a portion of Anas’s Hadith from the Prophet .


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 575:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar:

The Prophet prayed one of the’lsha’ prayer in his last days and after finishing it with Taslim, he stood up and said, “Do you realize (the importance of) this night? Nobody present on the

surface of the earth to-night would be living after the completion of one hundred years from this night.”

The people made a mistake in grasping the meaning of this statement of Allah’s Apostle and they indulged in those things which are said about these narrators (i.e. some said that the Day of Resurrection will be established after 100 years etc.) But the Prophet said, “Nobody present on the surface of earth tonight would be living after the completion of 100 years from this night”; he meant “When that century (people of that century) would pass away.”


Volume 1, Book 10, Number 576:

Narrated Abu ‘Uthman:

‘Abdur Rahman bin Abi Bakr said, “The Suffa Companions were poor people and the Prophet said, ‘Whoever has food for two persons should take a third one from them (Suffa companions). And whosoever has food for four persons he should take one or two from them’ Abu Bakr took three men and the Prophet took ten of them.”

‘Abdur Rahman added, my father my mother and I were there (in the house). (The sub-narrator is in doubt whether ‘Abdur Rahman also said, ‘My wife and our servant who was common for both my house and Abu Bakr’s house). Abu Bakr took his supper with the Prophet and remained there till the ‘Isha’ prayer was offered. Abu Bakr went back and stayed with the Prophet till the Prophet took his meal and then Abu Bakr returned to his house after a long portion of the night had passed. Abu Bakr’s wife said, ‘What detained you from your guests (or guest)?’ He said, ‘Have you not served them yet?’ She said, ‘They refused to eat until you come. The food was served for them but they refused.” ‘Abdur Rahman added, “I went away and hid myself (being afraid of Abu Bakr) and in the meantime he (Abu Bakr) called me, ‘O Ghunthar (a harsh word)!’ and also called me bad names and abused me and then said (to his family), ‘Eat. No welcome for you.’ Then (the supper was served). Abu Bakr took an oath that he would not eat that food. The narrator added: By Allah, whenever any one of us (myself and the guests of Suffa companions) took anything from the food, it increased from underneath. We all ate to our fill and the food was more than it was before its serving.

Abu Bakr looked at it (the food) and found it as it was before serving or even more than that. He addressed his wife (saying) ‘O the sister of Bani Firas! What is this?’ She said, ‘O the pleasure of my eyes! The food is now three times more than it was before.’ Abu Bakr ate from it, and said, ‘That (oath) was from Satan’ meaning his oath (not to eat). Then he again took a morsel (mouthful) from it and then took the rest of it to the Prophet. So that meal was with the Prophet. There was a treaty between us and some people, and when the period of that treaty had elapsed the Prophet divided us into twelve (groups) (the Prophet’s companions) each being headed by a man. Allah knows how many men were under the command of each (leader). So all of them (12 groups of men) ate of that meal.”


[ Index Page]

Sahih Bukhari : Book 9: Virtues of the Prayer Hall (Sutra of the Musalla)

Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 9:

Virtues of the Prayer Hall (Sutra ofthe Musalla)

Volume 1, Book 9, Number 472:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

Once I came riding a she-ass when I had just attained the age of puberty. Allah’s Apostle was offering the prayer at Mina with no wall in front of him and I passed in front of some of the row. There I dismounted and let my she-ass loose to graze and entered the row and nobody objected to me about it.


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 473:

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:

Whenever Allah’s Apostle came out on ‘Id day, he used to order that a Harba (a short spear) to be planted in front of him (as a Sutra for his prayer) and then he used to pray facing it with the people behind him and used to do the same while on a journey. After the Prophet , this practice was adopted by the Muslim rulers (who followed his traditions).


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 474:

Narrated ‘Aun bin Abi Juhaifa:

I heard my father saying, “The Prophet led us, and prayed a two-Rak’at Zuhr prayer and then a two-Rak’at ‘Asr prayer at Al-Batha’ with an ‘Anza (planted) in front of him (as a Sutra) while women and donkeys were passing in front of him (beyond that ‘Anza).”


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 475:

Narrated Sahl (bin Sa’d):

The distance between the Musalla of Allah’s Apostle and the wall was just sufficient for a sheep to pass through .


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 476:

Narrated Salama:

The distance between the wall of the mosque and the pulpit was hardly enough for a sheep to pass through.


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 477:

Narrated ‘Abdullah:

The Prophet used to get a Harba planted in front of him (as a Sutra) and pray behind it.


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 478:

Narrated ‘Aun bin Abi Juhaifa:

that he had heard his father saying, “Allah’s Apostle came to us at mid-day and water was brought for his ablution. He performed ablution and led us in Zuhr and ‘Asr prayers with an ‘Anza planted in front of him (as a Sutra), while women and donkeys were passing beyond it.”


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 479:

Narrated Anas Ibn Malik:

Whenever the Prophet went for answering the call of nature, I and another boy used to go after him with a staff, a stick or an ‘Anza and a tumbler of water and when he finished from answering the call of nature we would hand that tumbler of water to him.


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 480:

Narrated Abu Juhaifa:

Allah’s Apostle came out at midday and offered a two-Rak’at Zuhr and ‘Asr prayers at Al-Batha and an ‘Anza was planted in front of him (as a Sutra). He performed ablution and the people took the remaining water left after his ablution and rubbed their bodies with it.


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 481:

Narrated Yazid bin Al ‘Ubaid:

I used to accompany Salama bin Al-Akwa’ and he used to pray behind the pillar which was near the place where the Quran’s were kept I said, “O Abu Muslim! I see you always seeking to pray behind this pillar.” He replied, “I saw Allah’s Apostle always seeking to pray near that pillar.”


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 482:

Narrated Anas:

I saw the most famous people amongst the companions of the Prophet hurrying towards the pillars at the Maghrib prayer before the Prophet came for the prayer.


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 483:

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:

The Prophet entered the Ka’ba along with Usama bin Zaid, ‘Uthman bin Talha and Bilal and remained there for a long time. When they came out, I was the first man to enter the Ka’ba. I asked Bilal “Where did the Prophet pray?” Bilal replied, “Between the two front Pillars.”


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 484:

Narrated Nafi’:

‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar said, “Allah’s Apostle entered the Ka’ba along with Usama bin Zaid, Bilal and ‘Uthman bin Talha Al-Hajabi and closed the door and stayed there for some time. I asked Bilal when he came out, ‘What did the Prophet do?’ He replied, ‘He offered prayer with one pillar to his left and one to his right and three behind.’ In those days the Ka’ba was supported by six pillars.” Malik said: “There were two pillars on his (the Prophet’s) right side.”


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 485:

Narrated Nafi:

“The Prophet used to make his she-camel sit across and he would pray facing it (as a Sutra).” I asked, “What would the Prophet do if the she-camel was provoked and moved?” He said, “He would take its camel-saddle and put it in front of him and pray facing its back part (as a Sutra). And Ibn ‘Umar used to do the same.” (This indicates that one should not pray except behind a Sutra).


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 486:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

Do you make us (women) equal to dogs and donkeys? While I used to lie in my bed, the Prophet would come and pray facing the middle of the bed. I used to consider it not good to stand in front of him in his prayers. So I used to slip away slowly and quietly from the foot of the bed till I got out of my guilt.


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 487:

Narrated Abu Sa’id:

The Prophet said, (what is ascribed to him in the following Hadith 488):


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 488:

Narrated Abu Salih As-Samman:

I saw Abu Said Al-Khudri praying on a Friday, behind something which acted as a Sutra. A young man from Bani Abi Mu’ait, wanted to pass in front of him, but Abu Said repulsed him with a push on his chest. Finding no alternative he again tried to pass but Abu Said pushed him with a greater force. The young man abused Abu Said and went to Marwan and lodged a complaint against Abu Said and Abu Said followed the young man to Marwan who asked him, “O Abu Said! What has happened between you and the son of your brother?” Abu Sa’id said to him, “I heard the Prophet saying, ‘If anybody amongst you is praying behind something as a Sutra and somebody tries to pass in front of him, then he should repulse him and if he refuses, he should use force against him for he is a satan.’ ”


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 489:

Narrated Busr bin Said:

that Zaid bin Khalid sent him to Abi Juhaim to ask him what he had heard from Allah’s Apostle about a person passing in front of another person who was praying. Abu Juhaim replied, “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘If the person who passes in front of another person in prayer knew the magnitude of his sin he would prefer to wait for 40 (days, months or years) rather than to pass in front of him.” Abu An-Nadr said, “I do not remember exactly whether he said 40 days, months or years.”


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 490:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

The things which annul the prayers were mentioned before me. They said, “Prayer is annulled by a dog, a donkey and a woman (if they pass in front of the praying people).” I said, “You have made us (i.e. women) dogs. I saw the Prophet praying while I used to lie in my bed between him and the Qibla. Whenever I was in need of something, I would slip away. for I disliked to face him.”


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 491:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

The Prophet used to pray while I was sleeping across in his bed in front of him. Whenever he wanted to pray Witr, he would wake me up and I would pray Witr.


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 492:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

the wife of the Prophet, “I used to sleep in front of Allah’s Apostle with my legs opposite his Qibla (facing him); and whenever he prostrated, he pushed my feet and I withdrew them and whenever he stood, I stretched them.” ‘Aisha added, “In those days there were no lamps in the houses.”


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 493:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

The things which annual prayer were mentioned before me (and those were): a dog, a donkey and a woman. I said, “You have compared us (women) to donkeys and dogs. By Allah! I saw the Prophet praying while I used to lie in (my) bed between him and the Qibla. Whenever I was in need of something, I disliked to sit and trouble the Prophet. So, I would slip away by the side of his feet.”


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 494:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

(the wife of the Prophet) Allah’s Apostle used to get up at night and pray while I used to lie across between him and the Qibla on his family’s bed.


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 495:

Narrated Abu Qatada Al-Ansari:

Allah’s Apostle was praying and he was carrying Umama the daughters of Zainab, the daughter of Allah’s Apostle and she was the daughter of ‘As bin Rabi’a bin ‘AbduShams. When he prostrated, he put her down and when he stood, he carried her (on his neck).


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 496:

Narrated Maimuna bint Al-Harith:

My bed was beside the praying place (Musalla) of the Prophet and sometimes his garment fell on me while I used to lie in my bed.


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 497:

Narrated Maimuna:

The Prophet used to pray while I used to sleep beside him during my periods (menses) and in prostrations his garment used to touch me.


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 498:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

It is not good that you people have made us (women) equal to dogs and donkeys. No doubt I saw Allah’s Apostle praying while I used to lie between him and the Qibla and when he wanted to prostrate, he pushed my legs and I withdrew them.


Volume 1, Book 9, Number 499:

Narrated ‘Amr bin Maimuin:

‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud said, “While Allah’s Apostle was praying beside the Ka’ba, there were some Quraish people sitting in a gathering. One of them said, ‘Don’t you see this (who does deeds just to show off)? Who amongst you can go and bring the dung, blood and the abdominal contents (intestines, etc). of the slaughtered camels of the family of so and so and then wait till he prostrates and put that in between his shoulders?’ The most unfortunate amongst them (‘Uqba bin Abi Mu’ait) went (and brought them) and when Allah’s Apostle prostrated, he put them between his shoulders. The Prophet remained in prostration and they laughed so much so that they fell on each other. A passerby went to Fatima, who was a young girl in those days. She came running and the Prophet was still in prostration. She removed them and cursed upon the Quraish on their faces. When Allah’s Apostle completed his prayer, he said, ‘O Allah! Take revenge on Quraish.’ He said so thrice and added, ‘O Allah! take revenge on ‘Amr bin Hisham, ‘Utba bin Rabia, Shaiba bin Rabi’a, Al-Walid bin’Utba, Umaiya bin Khalaf, ‘Uqba bin Abi Mu’ait and ‘Umar a bin Al-Walid.” Abdullah added, “By Allah! I saw all of them dead in the battle field on the day of Badr and they were dragged and thrown in the Qalib (a well) at Badr: Allah’s Apostle then said, ‘Allah’s curse has descended upon the people of the Qalib (well).


[ ]

Sahih Bukhari : Book 16: Witr Prayer

Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 16:

Witr Prayer

Volume 2, Book 16, Number 105:

Narrated Ibn Umar:

Once a person asked Allah’s Apostle about the night prayer. Allah’s Apostle replied, “The night prayer is offered as two Rakat followed by two Rakat and so on and if anyone is afraid of the approaching dawn (Fajr prayer) he should pray one Raka and this will be a Witr for all the Rakat which he has prayed before.” Nafi’ told that ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar used to say Taslim between (the first) two Rakat and (the third) odd one in the Witr prayer, when he wanted to attend to a certain matter (during that interval between the Rakat).


Volume 2, Book 16, Number 106:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

Once I passed the night in the house of Maimuna (his aunt). I slept across the bed while Allah’s Apostle and his wife slept length-wise. The Prophet slept till midnight or nearly so and woke up rubbing his face and recited ten verses from Surat “Aal-Imran.” Allah’s Apostle went towards a leather skin and performed ablution in the most perfect way and then stood for the prayer. I did the same and stood beside him. The Prophet put his right hand on my head, twisted my ear and then prayed two Rakat five times and then ended his prayer with Witr. He laid down till the Muadh-dhin came then he stood up and offered two Rakat (Sunna of Fajr prayer) and then went out and offered the Fajr prayer.

(See Hadith No. 183, Vol. 1)


Volume 2, Book 16, Number 107:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar :

The Prophet said, “Night prayer is offered as two Rakat followed by two Rakat and so on, and if you want to finish it, pray only one Raka which will be Witr for all the previous Rakat.” Al-Qasim said, “Since we attained the age of puberty we have seen some people offering a three-Rakat prayer as Witr and all that is permissible. I hope there will be no harm in it.”


Volume 2, Book 16, Number 108:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

Allah’s Apostle used to pray eleven Rakat at night and that was his night prayer and each of his prostrations lasted for a period enough for one of you to recite fifty verses before Allah’s Apostle raised his head. He also used to pray two Rakat (Sunna) before the (compulsory) Fajr prayer and then lie down on his right side till the Muadh-dhin came to him for the prayer.


Volume 2, Book 16, Number 109:

Narrated Anas bin Sirin:

I asked Ibn ‘Umar, “What is your opinion about the two Rakat before the Fajr (compulsory) prayer, as to prolonging the recitation in them?” He said, “The Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to pray at night two Rakat followed by two and so on, and end the prayer by one Raka Witr. He used to offer two Rakat before the Fajr prayer immediately after the Adhan.” (Hammad, the sub-narrator said, “That meant (that he prayed) quickly.)”


Volume 2, Book 16, Number 110:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

Allah’s Apostle offered Witr prayer at different nights at various hours extending (from the ‘Isha’ prayer) up to the last hour of the night.


Volume 2, Book 16, Number 111:

Narrated ‘Aisha :

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to offer his night prayer while I was sleeping across in his bed. Whenever he intended to offer the Witr prayer, he used to wake me up and I would offer the Witr prayer too.


Volume 2, Book 16, Number 112:

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar:

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “Make s your last prayer at night.”


Volume 2, Book 16, Number 113:

Narrated Said bin Yasar:

I was going to Mecca in the company of ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar and when I apprehended the approaching dawn, I dismounted and offered the Witr prayer and then joined him. ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar said, “Where have you been?” I replied, “I apprehended the approaching dawn so I dismounted and prayed the Witr prayer.” ‘Abdullah said, “Isn’t it sufficient for you to follow the good example of Allah’s Apostle?” I replied, “Yes, by Allah.” He said, “Allah’s Apostle used to pray Witr on the back of the camel (while on a journey).”


Volume 2, Book 16, Number 114:

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:

The Prophet used to offer (Nawafil) prayers on his Rahila (mount) facing its direction by signals, but not the compulsory prayer. He also used to pray Witr on his (mount) Rahila.


Volume 2, Book 16, Number 115:

Narrated Muhammad bin Sirin:

Anas was asked, “Did the Prophet recite Qunut in the Fajr prayer?” Anas replied in the affirmative. He was further asked, “Did he recite Qunut before bowing?” Anas replied, “He recited Qunut after bowing for some time (for one month).”


Volume 2, Book 16, Number 116:

Narrated ‘Asim:

I asked Anas bin Malik about the Qunut. Anas replied, “Definitely it was (recited)”. I asked, “Before bowing or after it?” Anas replied, “Before bowing.” I added, “So and so has told me that you had informed him that it had been after bowing.” Anas said, “He told an untruth (i.e. “was mistaken,” according to the Hijazi dialect). Allah’s Apostle recited Qunut after bowing for a period of one month.” Anas added, “The Prophet sent about seventy men (who knew the Quran by heart) towards the pagans (of Najd) who were less than they in number and there was a peace treaty between them and Allah’s Apostles (but the Pagans broke the treaty and killed the seventy men). So Allah’s Apostle recited Qunut for a period of one month asking Allah to punish them.”


Volume 2, Book 16, Number 117:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

The Prophet recited Qunut for one month (in the Fajr prayer) asking Allah to punish the tribes of Ral and Dhakwan.


Volume 2, Book 16, Number 118:

Narrated Anas:

The Qunut used to be recited in the Maghrib and the Fajr prayers.


[ Index Page]

Sahih Bukhari : Book 14: Fear Prayer

Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 14:

Fear Prayer

Volume 2, Book 14, Number 64:

Narrated Shu’aib:

I asked Az-Zuhri, “Did the Prophet ever offer the Fear Prayer?” Az-Zuhri said, “I was told by Salim that ‘Abdullah bin Umar I had said, ‘I took part in a holy battle with Allah’s Apostle I in Najd. We faced the enemy and arranged ourselves in rows. Then Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) stood up to lead the prayer and one party stood to pray with him while the other faced the enemy. Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) and the former party bowed and performed two prostrations. Then that party left and took the place of those who had not prayed. Allah’s Apostle prayed one Raka (with the latter) and performed two prostrations and finished his prayer with Taslim. Then everyone of them bowed once and performed two prostrations individually.’ “


Volume 2, Book 14, Number 65:

Narrated Nafi’:

Ibn Umar said something similar to Mujahid’s saying: Whenever (Muslims and non-Muslims) stand face to face in battle, the Muslims can pray while standing. Ibn Umar added, “The Prophet said, ‘If the number of the enemy is greater than the Muslims, they can pray while standing or riding (individually).’ “


Volume 2, Book 14, Number 66:

Narrated Ibn Abbas:

Once the Prophet (p.b.u.h) led the fear prayer and the people stood behind him. He said Takbir (Allahu-Akbar) and the people said the same. He bowed and some of them bowed. Then he prostrated and they also prostrated. Then he stood for the second Raka and those who had prayed the first Raka left and guarded their brothers. The second party joined him and performed bowing and prostration with him. All the people were in prayer but they were guarding one another during the prayer.


Volume 2, Book 14, Number 67:

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah:

On the day of the Khandaq Umar came, cursing the disbelievers of Quraish and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! I have not offered the ‘Asr prayer and the sun has set.” The Prophet replied, “By Allah! I too, have not offered the prayer yet. “The Prophet then went to Buthan, performed ablution and performed the ‘Asr prayer after the sun had set and then offered the Maghrib prayer after it.”


Volume 2, Book 14, Number 68:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) offered the Fajr prayer when it was still dark, then he rode and said, ‘Allah Akbar! Khaibar is ruined. When we approach near to a nation, the most unfortunate is the morning of those who have been warned.” The people came out into the streets saying, “Muhammad and his army.” Allah’s Apostle vanquished them by force and their warriors were killed; the children and women were taken as captives. Safiya was taken by Dihya Al-Kalbi and later she belonged to Allah’s Apostle go who married her and her Mahr was her manumission.


[ Index Page]

* The ruling on whoever fasts but does not pray – Permanent Committee & Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen

Question:

I have witnessed some of the Muslim youth fasting, but they do not pray. Is the fast of the person who fasts but does not pray accepted? I have heard some of the preachers telling these youth to break their fast and not to fast, as he who does not pray has no fast?

Answer:

Whomever the prayer is obligatory upon and he intentionally abandons it, rejecting its obligation, then he has disbelieved according to the consensus of the scholars. Whoever abandons it due to being lax and lazy about it, then he has disbelieved according to the correct opinion from the opinions of the people of knowledge. When it is ruled that he is a disbeliever, then his fasting and other acts of worship are nullified. This due to Allah’s statement: And if they had associated partners with Allah, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.

However such a person should not be ordered to abandon fasting. This is because his fasting will only increase him in goodness and closeness to the religion. Also, due to the fear of his heart, it is hoped that it will lead him to return to the performance of the prayer and repentance from abandoning it. And success is from Allah.

May Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Companions.

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts
Fatawa Islamiyah Page no. 247 Vol: 2

—

The Fasting of the One who has abandoned the Prayer – Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen

Question:

Noble Shaykh, what is the ruling upon the fasting of the one who has abandoned the prayer?

Answer:

Check the answer @ http://www.fatwaislam.com/fis/index.cfm?scn=sc&sc=10&c=2

Ruling on adding ‘Sayyidinaa’ to the tashahhud – Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al Jaami (rahimahullaah)

The Thirteenth and Fourteenth Pillar:

“Allaahumma Salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa Muhammadin kamaa Salayta ‘alaa ibraaheema wa ‘alaa Aali ibraaheema Innaka Hameedun Majeed” [O Allaah, send your praises upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as you sent praises upon Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem. Verily, You are Most-Praiseworthy, Most Glorified]

This version of the tashahhud is well known. There are other forms of it as well.You may memorize whichever wording of the tashahhud that you like. However, choose one that is agreed upon. And if you hear someone using a tashahhud that varies from this one, do not condemn him.Tha same could be said about sending Salaat on the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) if you have memorized the version mentioned here by the author. There are other ways of saying it as well. And we have stated many times that there exists many ways of doing it. Perhaps all of these ways (of sending salaat on the Prophet) have been gathered together by the great Scholar Ibn Al-Qavvim in his book which is unique in its subject: Jalaa-ul-Afhaam fis-Salaati ‘alaa Khair-il-Anaam.”

The Salaat mentioned here (i.e. above) is known as the Abrahamic Salaat. The most comprehensive form of it is the one that has been agreed upon, which is:

“Allaahumma Salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa Aali Muhammad kamaa salaita ‘alaa Ibraaheema wa ‘alaa Aali Ibraaheem. Innaka Hameedun Majeed. Wa Baarik Muhammadin wa ‘alaa Aali Muhammad kamaa baarakta ‘alaa Ibraaheema wa ‘alaa Aali Ibraaheem. Innaka Hameedun Majeed.”

This manner of saying it is agreed upon. And there are many other ways. However you should take note that none of the versions of the Abrahamic Salaat that have been recorded by Ibn Al-Qayyim in his afore-mentioned book contain an mention of the word “Sayyidinaa” our master) such as: “Allaahumma Salli ‘alaa Sayyidinaa Muhammad.”

Many of our sensitive Muslim brothers, if you don’t say “Sayyidinaa” when sending Salaat and just say “Allaahumma Salli ‘alaa Muhammad” , will perhaps think bad thoughts about you and say: “This person doesn’t have any respect for Allaah’s Messenger!”

In fact, this very thing actually did happen, for one time a Moroccan man on Hajj told me: “0 Shaikh! I have attended your lessons from the first class till now while traveling. But I notice about you that when you send Salaat on the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam), you say ‘ Allaahumma Salli ‘alaa Muhammad’ and I never heard you once say: ‘ Allaahumma Salli ‘alaa Sayyidinaa Muhammad.’ Why is this O Shaikh?”

He asked a good question and I clarified the matter to him, thus reducing the irritation found in him since he would become very annoyed whenever he would hear someone send Salaat on the Prophet and not say: “Allaahumma Salli Sayyidinaa Muhammad.”

The Muslim common-folk do not make any distinction in matters. Perhaps they think that someone who leaves out the word “Sayyidinaa” does not respect the Prophet and does not love him in the manner that he deserves.

The reply: This is ignorance. It may even be called compound ignorance. Compound ignorance is when someone is ignorant and he doesn’t know that he is ignorant. If you don’t know that you don’t know something then this is ignorance on top of ignorance. So what is it that someone with ignorance attached to him knows? Nothing!

The point is that Muhammad, the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) is our leader (Sayyid). He is the leader of all of mankind – all of the descendants of Aadam. This is what I worship Allaah with. We must believe this, in accordance with what he has informed us: “I am the Sayyid (leader) of mankind on the Day of Judgement. I am the Sayyid (leader) of the children of Aadam, and I do not say this to boast” We are obligated to believe that he is the Sayyid (leader) of all of mankind.

But in spite of this, when he (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) taught the Companions how to send Salaat on him and when he dictated the Abrahamic Salaat to them during the revelation of the ayah:

“Verily Allaah and His Angels send Salaat (praises) on the Prophet. O you who believe, send your praises (Salaat) and greetings (Salaam) on him” [Surah Al-Ahzaab: 56]

When this ayah was revealed, the Companions asked: “0 Messenger of Allaah(Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam), you have already taught us how to send greetings (of Salaam) upon you, but we have been ordered to (also) send praises (Salaat) upon you, so how do we send Salaat on you?”

It is possible that this sort of questioning occurred in several different gatherings based on the fact that there are numerous manners of sending Salaat on the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam). The Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) taught his Companions to say it like this: “Allaahumma Salli ‘alaa Muhammad.” This does not mean that he (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) revoked his status of leadership and that he was no longer a Sayyid.

You have noted that at times the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) would condemn people in certain circumstances who would make statements that were understood to contain exaggeration and extremism with regard to himself. He (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) would condemn the one who said: “You are our Sayyid (leader), son of our Sayyid. And you are the best among us, son of the best among us” even though he really is the Sayyid (leader) of mankind.

However, he did this because he feared that this man was being afflicted with extremism. Going to extremes with regard to the righteous people is one of the main causes of others being worshipped besides Allaah. So in order to protect the sanctuary of Tawheed, he told him no. He forbade him from (saying) that, saying: “I am only a slave, so say: ‘The slave and messenger of Alhall.'” This was even in spite of his prior statement in which he announced that he was the Sayyid (leader) of the children of Aadam. However, there is no contradiction between this statement and that statement since each situation warrants its own statement depending on its circumstances.

The situation in which the Prophet condemned the man was a situation that warranted such a condemnation and warning, whereas the situation in which he (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) announced he was the Sayyid (of mankind) was due to the fact that he was talking about his (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) intercession. So he was clarifying its reality the reality that he is the Sayyid (leader) of all of mankind.

The point we are trying to make here is: Sending Salaat on the Prophet should be done by using one of the versions that have been reported in the texts. You should not add the phrase Sayyidina (our leader) to it even though the Prophet is our Sayyid. I hope that this point is understood. Furthermore, after making this point clear, I would like to reiterate that we must believe and affirm, in accordance with his report, that the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) is our Sayyid (leader). However, when sending Salaat upon him, we should not say: “Allaahumma Salli ‘alaa Sayyidinaa.” Rather we should just say: “Allaahumma Salli ‘alaa Muhammad” since this would be following his example, implementing his teachings, and carrying out his instructions.

This statement stuns some people, which is why I must say again that the scholars have unanimously agreed that it is not permissible for a Muslim who wants to worship Allaah through words of supplication that have been reported in the texts to add, subtract, change or replace any of those words.

The scholars of Hadeeth, with their intricate memory and understanding of the texts, use as evidence one single report, which others perhaps are not aware of the basis of proof found in it. This report is about the time when the Prophet taught one of his Companions the supplication one should make when going to bed. The supplication contains the following words:

“Aamantu bi-Kitaabik aladhee anzalta wa Nabee’ik aladhee arsalta.”
I believe in Your Book that You revealed and in Your Prophet that You sent.

This Companion began to repeat this supplication in order to memorize it, but then on one occasion, said: “…wa Rasoolik aladhee arsalta” , i.e. “…in Your Messenger that You sent.”

What did he do? He replaced the word “Nabee” (Prophet) with the word “Rasool” (Messenger). This Companion then narrated that: “The Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam), tapped my chest and said: “No, say: Wa Nabee’ik aladhee arsalta.”

This is clear proof that it is not proper for a person who wishes to follow Allaah’s Messenger (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) and abide by his teachings to add, subtract, change or replace (these supplications) based on his own accord. The “Messenger” and “Prophet” are two valid titles for Prophet Muhammad. However, we cannot change the supplication from the manner in which it was reported since that is the way the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) stated it.

The Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) does not speak from his own desire. So these were revealed to the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) through revelation from Allaah. Meaning: The legislation of these words of remembrance that are to be said at the time of sleeping came down from the heavrns. So if something was revealed to the Prophet(Sallallaahu alaihi wa Sallam) and he conveyed it to his, Companions in the same manner in which it was sent down, it would not be proper for the Companions to change that. And we should follow their example, and Allaah knows best.

Taken from the Book “An Explanation of ‘The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of Prayer” Published by al-ibaanah – Explained by Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al Jaami (rahimahullaah) . You are encouraged to buy this Beautiful Book.

When does the last third of the night begin and end? – Shaykh Ibn Baaz

Outset and end of the last third of night  [1]

Q: It is reported in the Hadith that Allah descends every night to the lowest heaven in the last third of the night [2]. When does the last third of the night begin and end?

A: There are Mutawatir Hadiths (a Hadith reported by a significant number of narrators throughout the chain of narration, whose agreement upon a lie is impossible) from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that prove that Allah descends. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven every night when the last third of the night begins when He says, ‘Who calls Me to answer him? Who asks Me to give him? Who asks Me for forgiveness to forgive him? [3]

Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream) unanimously agreed that Allah descends in a manner that befits Him and that He is not like His creation at all in any of His Attributes, as He states, Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): “He is Allâh, (the) One. “Allâh-us-Samad (السيد الذي يصمد إليه في الحاجات) [Allâh the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks)]. “He begets not, nor was He begotten. “And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.” Surah Al-Ikhlas, 112

He (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says, There is nothing like Him; and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.

According to Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah, we must accept the Ayahs and Hadiths that speak of the Attributes of Allah as they are without Tahrif (distortion of the meaning), Ta`til (denial of Allah’s Attributes), Takyif (descriptive designation of Allah’s Attributes), or Tamthil (likening Allah’s Attributes to those of His Creation). At the same time, we must believe in them and believe that what is mentioned in these texts is true without likening Allah to His creation or discussing the nature of His Attributes. Rather, their view concerning His Attributes is like their view concerning His Dhat (Essence). Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah affirm the Essence of Allah without Takyif, or Tamthil, and thus, we must also affirm His Attributes without Takyif or Tamthil.

The descent of Allah occurs in every country in a manner that befits Allah, because the descent of Allah is not like the descent of any of His creation. He is described as descending in the last part of the night in all parts of the world in a manner that befits His Majesty, Exalted be He.No one can know how He descends just as no one can know how His Essence is, except Him.

He states, There is nothing like Him; and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.Surah Al-Shura, 42: 11. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: So put not forward similitudes for Allâh (as there is nothing similar to Him, nor He resembles anything). Truly! Allâh knows and you know not.Surah Al-Nahl, 16: 74

The time of the first and last third of the night differs according to the season; if the night is nine hours long, then the time of descent begins at the onset of the seventh hour and continues until dawn. If the night is twelve hours long, then the last third begins at the beginning of the ninth hour until the break of dawn and so on, depending on how long or short the night is in each place. May Allah grant us success.

Footnotes:

[1] This was published in Al-Da`wah magazine, issue no. 1138, on 2/9/1408 A.H.

[2] Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Book on supplications, no. 6321; Muslim, Sahih, Book on travelers* Salah and Salah shortening, no. 758; Al-Tirmidhy, Sunan, Book on Salah, no. 446; Abu Dawud, Sunan, Book on Salah, no. 1315; Ibn Majah, Sunan, Book on performing Prayer and its Sunan, no. 1366; Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 2, p. 433; Malik, Al-Muwatta*, Book on call to Prayer, no. 496; and Al-Darimy, Sunan, Book on Salah, no. 1484.’

[3] Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Book on Friday, no. 1145; Muslim, Sahih, Book on travelers* Salah and Salah shortening, no. 758; Al-Tirmidhy, Sunan, Book on supplications, no. 3498; Abu Dawud, Sunan, Book on Salah, no. 1315; Ibn Majah, Sunan, Book on performing Prayer and its Sunan, no. 1366; Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 2, p. 265; Malik, Al-Muwatta*, Book on call to Prayer, no. 496; and Al-Darimy, Sunan, Book on Salah, no. 1479.

Posted from: http://alifta.com/Fatawa/FatawaChapters.aspx?languagename=en&View=Page&PageID=426&PageNo=1&BookID=14

—

The first question of Fatwa no. 19886   

Q 1: is the hour that precedes the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer considered as part of the last third of the night?   

 A: The hour that precedes the second Fajr (true dawn), which consists of 60 minutes, is part of the last third of the night and is considered to be the last hour of the last third of the night. This is because the night begins from the sunset and lasts until the emergence of the second Fajr. It is authentically reported that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) descends to the worldly heaven in the last third of the night. It was related by Al-Bukhari in his “Sahih (Book of Authentic Hadith)”, vol. 2, p. 47, on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Our Lord, Blessed and Exalted is He, descends every night to the heaven of the world, when only the last third of the night remains and says, “Who will supplicate Me that I may respond to him; who will ask Me that I may give him; who will beg My forgiveness that I may forgive him?” Every Muslim and Muslimah is free to benefit from the blessed times and the times when supplications are answered, to supply themselves with good righteous deeds and supplicate for whatever they like from the matters of the Din (religion) or the Duniya (this world). 

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and Companions! 

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta – http://www.alifta.net

The Legislative Ruling on The Second Congregation – by Shaykh Badr ibn Muhammad al-Badr al-‘Anazy (hafidhahullah)

The following is an article written by Shaykh Badr al-Badr al-‘Anazy (hafidhahullah) which analyzes the permissibility of the second congregation, based on the ahaadeeth of the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and explanation of our ‘Ulamaa`. The This article was translated by our noble brother Abu Afnaan Muhammad ‘Abdullah (hafidhahullah), who has explicit written permission from the Shaykh to translate his articles
click here to read.

An excerpt taken from the article ~

Al-Imaam Ibn al-Qudaamah mentioned in al-Mughnee (2/117): “It is not disliked to repeat the congregational prayer in the masjid. And this means that if the localimaam prays (with a group) and then another group comes, it is recommended for them to pray as a group and this is the position of Ibn Mas’ood, ‘Ataa, al-Hasan, an-Nakha’ee and others. However, Saalim, Maalik, Abu Haneefah, ash-Shaafi’ee and others stated that the congregational prayer is not repeated in a masjid which has an appointed imaam and is not on a passageway, etc. Thus, if he misses the congregation, he is to pray by himself.

There is no proof prohibiting the second congregation and that they are to pray by themselves and the hadeeth, “who will give charity to that one” is clear textual proof of its permissibility.


Download PDF To Read full article
: The Legislative Ruling On The Second Congregation By Shaykh Badr ibn Muhammad al-Badr al-‘Anazy (حفظه الله)

Posted from: mpubs.org

Beautiful Explanation of the Opening Supplication in Salah (Prayer) – Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al Jaami (rahimahullaah)

After this, there occurs the opening supplication, which is optional, and states: “Subhaanak Allaahumma wa bi Hamdika. Wa Tabaarakasmuka wa Ta’aala Jadduka. Wa Laa ilaaha Ghayruka.” [Free from imperfections are You, O Allaah, and all praise is Yours. Blessed is Your Name, Glorified be Your Greatness, and there is no deity worthy of worship besides You]

The meaning of “Subhaanak Allaahumma” is: I absolve You from all imperfections in a manner that befits Your majesty. “Wa bi-Hamdika” i.e. while praising You. “Wa Tabaarakasmuka” i.e. blessing can be attained by mentioning You. “Wa Ta’aala Jadduka” i.e. Glorified be Your Greatness. “Wa Laa ilaaha Ghayruka” i.e. There is nothing that has the right to be worshipped on earth or in heaven except You, O Allaah.

~ the explanation ~

The author, may Allaah have mercy on him, states here that the opening supplication is a recommended act. It is neither a pillar nor a requirement nor a condition. Rather it is supererogatory. He then went on to choose one version of the opening supplication, which is the shortest, amplest, and most comprehensive of these supplications from the perspective of praise, veneration and glorification of Allaah. And it is: “Subhaanak Allaahumma wa hi Hamdika. Wa Tabaarakasmuka wa Ta’aala Jadduka. Wa Laa Ilaaha Ghayruka.”

The great scholar Ibn Al-Qayyim listed a number of opening supplications in his book Zaad al-Ma’aad. But he preferred this supplication over the numerous other ones of this nature, some of which are longer. This is due to the fact that this concise supplication contains such praise, veneration and glorification for Allaah the likes of which cannot be found in other supplications. Other supplications consist more of requests and invocations whereas this one consists of (purely) glorification, honoring and exaltation (of Allaah).

The author then takes it upon himself to explain this supplication as well as what comes after it. The meaning of: “Subhaanak Allaahumma” is: “I absolve You, O Lord, in a manner that befits You, from all imperfections.”  This is an absolving that befits His majesty, and it is derived from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah.

The people are divided in their definitions of absolving Allaah from imperfections. Some people have defined it as negating Allaah’s Attributes, which is why the Jahmiyyah and Mu’tazilah have negated all of Allaah’s Attributes, claiming that they are removing imperfections from Allaah. The reason for this (according to them) is because if one affirms Attributes for Allaah, this leads to likening Allaah to His creation. So, according to them, freeing Allaah from imperfections can only be achieved by negating His Attributes.

The Ashaa’irah and the Matooridiyyah did the same with respect to the textual Attributes. The textual Attributes are those attributes for which the intellect plays no part in affirming. They are only affirmed by way of narrations and textual proofs. According to the understanding of the Ashaa’irah, affirming these attributes literally goes against removing imperfections from Allaah. So as a result they resorted to taweel (misinterpretation). They did not negate the Attributes as others did. Rather, they claimed that what was literally stated in these texts was not what Allaah intended. So therefore, interpreting them them with other than their literal meanings is binding based on the claim of removing imperfections from Allah.

You will notice that everyone who negates or distorts the meaning of Allaah’s Attributes claims to be removing imperfections from Allaah by what they do. When the first group negated Allaah’s Attributes, they did not intend disrespect for Allaah. Rather, according to their claim, they only intended to remove imperfections from Him. But where is this removal of imperfections? They went astray in this regard. Why did they go astray? Because they looked for guidance in other than Allaah’s Book. Whoever searches for guidance in other than the Book of Allaah and in other than what the Messenger brought, will no doubt go astray. This is a principle. Whoever looks for guidance and truth in other than what the Messenger of Allaah came with will be misguided as recompense for turning away (from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah). This is since guidance, correctness and truth is restricted to only that which the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) brought.

If we want to know the true manner of removing Allaah, from imperfections in a manner that befits His majesty, we should read Allaah’s statement: “There is nothing like Him (in comparison), and He is the All Hearer, the All-Seer.” [Surah Ash-Shooraa: 11]

Is there a greater example of removing imperfections from Allaah than this? Allaah affirms Attributes for Himself but negates any comparisons in those Attributes that He has affirmed. This is what is meant by tanzeeh (removing imperfections from Allaah). It is that you affirm for Him what He has affirmed for Himself from complete Attributes, perfect Names and flawless Actions.

Affirm for Him what He has affirmed for Himself. Then negate any comparisons to what He has affirmed (for Himself) since no one can describe Allaah who is more knowledgeable than Him. Also affirm for what His trusted Messenger has described Him with and negate my comparisons to what he (peace be upon him) has affirmed, since no one can describe Allaah from His creation who is more knowledgeable than Allaah’s Messenger (peace be upon him).

This is how Allaah has guided the people of truth and the callers to truth. So they know how to remove imperfections from Allaah without negating His Attributes, distorting their meaning, making comparisons to them or likening them to His creation. This is the point the author is trying to make when he says: “I absolve You from all imperfections, my Lord, in a manner that befits You.” This is the type of removing of imperfections from Allaah that befits His majesty, which has been derived from the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

“Wa bi-Hamdika” means: “while praising You.” So this consists of removing imperfections from Allaah while at the same time praising Him. But on the other hand, if you have negated Allaah’s Perfect Attributes, how can you then praise Him?! If you have negated the Attribute of Mercy from Allaah, how can you praise Him? You say that it is impossible for Allaah to have Mercy and that Love is something impossible for Allaah. He is neither loved nor does He love. How then can you praise him when you negate Mercy from Him?

You heard previously the qudsee hadeeth about Al-Faatihah in which it is stated: “And when the servant says: Ar-Rahmaan-ir-Raheem‘, Allaah says: ‘My servant has extolled Me.” As for the one who negates the Attribute of Mercy from Allaah, it is not possible for Him to praise Allaah, since praising Allaah can only be achieved through His exemplary Names, Attributes, and Actions.

“Wa Tabaarakusmuka” means: Blessing is achieved by mentioning You. Your Name is removed from any imperfections and blessing is achieved through mention of Your Name. This is how the author (Muhammad bin Abdil-Wahhaab) has explained it.

“Wa Ta’aala jadduka” means: Glorified be Your greatness grandness. The word “jadd” here takes on the meaning of grandness and self sufficiency. So it means: “Glorified be Your Grandness and self-sufficiency.”

This means that: “No one on earth or in heaven is worshipped with due right except for You, O Allaah.” The phrase “with due right” must be mentioned when explaining the meaning of “Laa Ilaaha illaaAllaah”. You must include “due right” or “rightfully” or else the meaning will be wrong. If you were to say: “There is no one worshipped in the heavens or on the earth except for You” we would be contradicting reality since those who are worshipped are many. But the one who is worshipped after all others have been negated is the One who is worshipped in truth or with “due right.”

There is no one worshipped on earth or in heaven with due right except for You. As for those who are worshipped in the heavens and the earth, the worship of them is futile and invalid. The sun and the moon are worshipped but worshiping them is invalid. Trees are worshipped. Many of the large trees with many branches (known as dawhaat) are still worshipped today. This goes also for stones, tombs and shrines. The worship of these things is futile.

This also applies to the worship of Jinn and the worship of graves. Every time something is worshipped, it becomes known as a “god” according to the language. It is not called Allaah, but rather a “false” god. The term “god” is general and encompasses the One who is worshipped with due right as well as those that are worshipped wrongfully. The word “Allaah” is specifically reserved for the One who is worshipped with due right – the Creator of the heavens and the earth. There is no one worshipped in the heavens or the earth (with due right) except for you, O Allaah.

Taken from the Book “An Explanation of ‘The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of Prayer” Published by al-ibaanah – Explained by Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al Jaami (rahimahullaah) . You are encouraged to buy this Beautiful Book.

If there is a masjid that has a grave in it, is it permissible to pray in this masjid? Beneficial Answer by Shaykh Ubayd al Jabiree

Answered by Shaykh Ubayd al Jabiree in Telelink for Sri Lanka:

The original question was if the masjid has a qabr or a grave is it permissible to pray in it. So Shaykh Ubayd (hafidhahullah) he went on after praising Allaah and saying peace and blessings on the Messenger and his family and companions, he went on to say in regards to this question that there are basically two situations.

The first of them is that, if the grave came before the masjid, and the masjid was built because of the grave being there and was built so that the people would worship the person who was in that grave, worshipping besides Allaah.  And the Shaykh goes on to mention that there is a severe threat in regards to this affair. And he went on to mention some of the nusoos, some of the texts in regards to that, like the saying of the Messenger (sallalhualahi wa sallam) that the anger of Allaah is upon the people who take the graves of the Prophets as masaajids.

And in another narration, that the Prophet (sallalhualahi wa sallam) asked for curse of Allaah to be upon the Jews and Christians, because they took the graves of their Prophets as Masaajids.

So the Shaykh went on to say that there are many hadith on this issue. So he  said in regards to this, that it is not allowed to pray in it, because this masjid was built, because of the grave, because it was built, to worship other than Allaah. So the Shaykh said in this situation, then it is not allowed to pray in the masjid.

Then the Shaykh mentioned a second situation and that is, if the masjid is built and the grave is built inside the masjid intentionally.

So the Shaykh went on to mention that there are two things that can be done in this case.

Then one of them, that a wall or separation is built to separate the grave from the masjid; or the second situation that the grave is taken out of the masjid and the person who was in the grave and buried along with the other Muslims.

So then the Shaykh was asked, what is the case if the grave remains inside and not separate from the masjid, then the Shaykh said then it is not allowed to pray in it. It is not allowed to pray in this masjid.

Posted from: http://www.uthmaanlk.org/?page_id=143

Praying in Shoes : One of the acts of the Sunnah that has been abandoned today

The Prophet said: “If one of you comes to the masjid, he should look at the bottom of his shoes. If he sees any impurity on them, he should rub them on the ground. Then he may enter with them (i.e, the shoes) and pray with them on.”

This is one of the acts of the Sunnah that has been abandoned today. in fact, it is one of the acts of the Sunnah that is fought against by many people. It is even considered a crime in some regions — Entering the masjid with sandals and shoes. If I were to go today and buy a pair of shoes from a store and then put them on and enter the masjid with them -this would be regarded as a crime and considered disrespectful to the mosques and houses of Allaah. The Sunnah has become innovation and innovation has become Sunnah! Praying in shoes was something well established at the time of the Salaf – they would not differ over it.

As a matter of fact, everything found in this command (of the Prophet) Should be observed by an individual. So he should check if his shoes are clean upon entering the masjid, acting upon the hadeeth which we just mentioned: “Then he may enter with them (i.e. the shoes) and pray with them on.”

If he takes his shoes off, he should place them between his legs, not in front of him or behind him nor to his right or left, so as to disturb the people around him. Rather he should place them between his legs, in between his feet. This is what has been reported in the Sunnah and this is what the Salaf of this ummah have followed. This aspect of the Sunnah continues to be practiced in some areas of this country (i.e. Saudi Arabia). However, in some of the other areas of the country as well as some regions abroad, the reaction towards this Sunnah is bad.

Nevertheless, we must emphasize here that praying in shoes is Sunnah, i.e. recommended. It is neither obligatory nor is it a condition or requirement for the validity of one’s prayer. So if this aspect of the Sunnah conflicts with another good that is found in some masaajid, or if opening the door to entering the masaajid with shoes on leads to squandering money, then this aspect of the Sunnah should be left off temporarily and restrictedly – to this confined area – until it is revived in other places similar to these masaajid.

The youth should not hasten to enter the masaajid with their shoes on for they will open the door for everyone to do so, and this will lead some people who are in a rush to enter the masjid before checking under their shoes. This will then lead to a squandering of the masjid’s carpet and we have been prohibited from squandering money.

Squandering money is forbidden while entering the masjid and Praying with shoes on is recommended. So when there exists a conflict such as this, we should work to revive the Sunnah of praying in shoes in masaajid other than these – i.e. in masaajid that have remained in their pure original state with floors that are covered by dirt and sand – or in our homes, or in some open land when we go out on a journey or camping. There are many places.

This means that we should not fight against the act of praying in shoes, nor should we go to the extreme of entering these carpeted masaajid with shoes on thus causing the money spent on them to be squandered. Rather, we should combine between these advantages and those ahaadeeth, and that is by reviving the Sunnah of praying in shoes in other than these types of masaajid.

There are many masaajid and many places (to pray with shoes on). So we must have a good and proper understanding of the Religion and bring together all of the texts. A person should not take one portion or one text or one hadeeth and leave off all of the other texts. Rather, he must always try to reconcile and bring together all of the texts, as much as he is able to.

Taken from the Book “An Explanation of ‘The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of Prayer” Published by al-ibaanah – Explained by Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al Jaami (rahimahullaah) and Shaykh Abdul Muhsin al-Abbaad (hafidhahullaah)

Making the palms of the hands and the fingers face the direction of the ears when raising the hands in prayer contradicts the sunnah

Imam Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyah-May Allah have mercy upon him-stated in his book ‘Raising the hands in prayer’, pg 281:

‘What is recommended is that his palms face towards the direction of the Qiblah and that he does not make them face towards his ears. Our scholars (the Hanbalis) and the Shafi’is have cleary mentioned this and from those who mentioned this is the author of ‘al Tatimma’.

However, regarding what many of the common people do from making their palms and fingers face their ears, it opposes the sunnah.

Selected by Sheikh Abdul Qadir al Junayd

Translated by: Abu Afnaan Muhammad

Taking the means to wake up for the Fajr prayer – Shaykh Sulaymaan ar-Ruhaylee [Video|Ar-En Subtitles]

Video Courtesy : Brother Bilal @ Manhaj ul-Haqq

The Sunnah for the Fajr Prayer – Compiled and Translated By Abbas Abu Yahya

The Sunnah for the Fajr Prayer
Compiled[1] and Translated By Abbas Abu Yahya

Contents:

1 – Giving Attention to the Two Rakat Sunnah for the Fajr Prayer
2 – Shortening the Sunnah of the Fajr Prayer
3 – What the Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- would Recite in the Two Rakah for the Sunnah of the Fajr Prayer
4 – Recommendation to Pray the Two Rakah at Home
5 – Lying down on the Right Hand side after the Two Rakah Sunnah of the Fajr
The Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to talk after the two Rakah Sunnah for Fajr
6 – The Dislike of Praying the Optional Prayer once Fajr Time has come in, other than the Two Rakah Sunnah for the Fajr Prayer
7 – The Dislike for the Worshipper to begin Praying Two Rakah Sunnah for the Fajr After the Muadhin began the Iqama for the prayer.
8 – Praying two Rakah Sunnah for the Fajr Prayer after the Obligatory Prayer if You Cannot Pray Before it

1 – Giving Attention to the Two Rakat Sunnah for the Fajr Prayer[2]

a) From Ayesha –Radi Allaahu anha– who said:

‘The Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- was not more concerned and did not pay attention to any of the optional prayers like he did for the two Rakat of Sunnah for the Fajr prayer.’[3]

b) From Ayesha from the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- who said:

‘Two Rakat for Sunnah of Fajr prayer are better than the Dunyaa and everything that is in it.’[4]

c) From Ayesha –Radi Allaahu anha– who said from the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- that he said about the two Rakat when the Fajr prayer time comes in:

‘They are more beloved to me than the Dunyaa and everything that is in it.’[5]

2 – Shortening the Sunnah of the Fajr Prayer

a) From Ayesha –Radi Allaahu anha– who said that the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to pray thirteen Rakah during the night, then he would pray two short Rakah once he had heard the call for the morning prayer.’[6]

And in the narration of Abu Dawood:

‘The Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- would pray two Rakah between the Adhan of Fajr and the Iqamah.’

b) From Ayesha who said:

The Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to pray two shortened Rakah which were before the morning (Fajr) prayer, he would shorten them so much that I would say: Did he recite Soorah Fatiha?’[7]

Abu Tayeeb Atheema-a-Baadi said:

‘It is established from these Ahadeeth that the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to pray them when the Mu’adhin had become silent after the Adhan, and when the time of Fajr had come in and Fajr had lit up.  He -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to pray them lightly. As for the wisdom of them being a light prayer, then al-Qurtubi said in al-Mufhim: ‘so that the Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- could go to the morning prayer early at its beginning time.’

Some of the scholars said: ‘So that the Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- could begin the prayer for the day with two light prayers, just as he would do for the night prayer.’ Therefore, praying them lightly is the Sunnah, and that is the clear truth.’

‘Shawkaani said in ‘Nail Awtaar’:

‘The Hadeeth indicates to the legislation of praying it lightly (i.e. not lengthening it).  This was the opinion of the majority of the scholars, the Hanafeeyah opposed them and said that it is recommended to lengthen the recitation.  This opposes the clear evidence.’

3 – What the Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- would Recite in the Two Rakah for the Sunnah of the Fajr Prayer

a) From Ibn Umar that the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to recite in the two Rakat for Fajr, and two Rakat after Maghrib prayer: <<Say to these O Al-Kafiroon >>[8]  & <<Say: He is Allaah, (the) One.>>[9]

b) From Ayesha who said: ‘the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to pray four Rakat before Dhuhr, and two Rakat before Fajr and would not leave them, and she said: and he would say:

‘Two blessed Soorahs which are read in the two Rakat before Fajr: << Say to these O Al-Kafiroon >>[10]  & <<Say: He is Allaah, (the) One.>>’[11]

c) From Ibn Umar – Radi Allaahu anhu – that the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:

 ‘<<Say: He is Allaah, (the) One.>> is equivalent to a third of the Qur’aan, and <<Say to these O Al-Kafiroon >> is equivalent to a fourth of the Qur’aan, and he would read both of them in the two Rakat of Fajr . . .’[12]

d) From the Hadeeth of Abu Hurairah – Radi Allaahu anhu – that the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- read:

<< Say to these O Al-Kafiroon >>[13]  & <<Say: He is Allaah, (the) One.>>[14]

in the two Rakah of the Fajr prayer.’ (i.e. the Sunnah of Fajr).[15]

e) From Abul-Gayth from Abu Hurairah that he heard the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- recite in the two Rakah of Fajr:

<<Say: We believe in Allaah and in what has been sent down to us, >> [3:84] in the first Rakah, and in the other Rakah with this Ayaah:

<<Our Lord! We believe in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger [‘Iesa (Jesus)]; so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth i.e. La ilaha ill-Allaah – none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah). >> [3:53]

or:

<<Verily, We have sent you with the truth (Islaam), a bringer of glad tidings (for those who believe in what you brought, that they will enter Paradise) and a warner (for those who disbelieve in what you brought, they will enter the Hell-fire). And you will not be asked about the dwellers of the blazing Fire.>> [2: 119][16]

Atheem-a-Baadi said:

‘What is established from these Ahadeeth is that the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- sometimes would recite << Say to these O Al-Kafiroon >> in the first Rakah, and <<Say: He is Allaah, (the) One.>> in the second Rakah.

And sometimes he would read in the first of the two Rakah:

<< Say: We believe in Allaah and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibraheem, Isma’eel, Ishaaq, Ya’qoob, and to Al-Asbaat [the twelve sons of Ya’qoob], and that which has been given to Moosa and ‘Iesa, and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islaam). >> [2:136]

and in the second of the two Rakah:

<< Then when ‘Iesa came to know of their disbelief, he said: ‘Who will be my helpers in Allaah’s Cause?’ Al-Hawarioon (the disciples) said: ‘We are the helpers of Allaah; we believe in Allaah, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to Allaah).’

Our Lord! We believe in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger [‘Iesa (Jesus)]; so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth i.e. Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh – none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh). >> [3:52-53].

And sometimes recite in the first of the two Rakah:

<<Say: We believe in Allaah and in what has been sent down to us, >> [2:136]

and in the second of the two Rakah:

<< Say: ‘O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allaah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allaah. Then, if they turn away, say: ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’>> [3:64].

And sometimes he would recite in the first of the two Rakah:

<<Say: ‘We believe in Allaah and in what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down to Ibraheem, Isma’eel, Ishaaq, Ya’qoob and Al-Asbaat [the twelve sons of Ya’qoob] and what was given to Moosa, ‘Iesa and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one another among them and to Him (Allaah) we have submitted (in Islaam).’>> [3:83]

and in the second Rakah:

<<Our Lord! We believe in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger [‘Iesa (Jesus)]; so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth i.e. La ilaha ill-Allaah – none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah). >> [3:53]

or with this Ayaah:

<<Verily, We have sent you with the truth (Islaam), a bringer of glad tidings (for those who believe in what you brought, that they will enter Paradise) and a warner (for those who disbelieve in what you brought, they will enter the Hell-fire). And you will not be asked about the dwellers of the blazing Fire.>> [2:119].’

4 – Recommendation to Pray the Two Rakah at Home

Abu Tayeeb al-Atheem-a-Baadi said:

‘It is better to pray the two Rakah at home, because the optional pray at home is of a more complete status and has more reward than praying it in the Masjid.  This is affirmed from the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- from his actions and his statements.

As for his actions, is that the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to pray them a lot of the time in his home, as has been mentioned in narrations from Ibn Umar, Ibn Abbas, Ayesha and others from the Companions. Actually it has not been affirmed that he performed them in the Masjid.

As for his saying in the Hadeeth of Ibn Umar, as collected by Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Nisa’ee and Ibn Majah that the Prophet-sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:

‘Perform some of your prayer in your homes, and do not take them as graves.’

The Hadeeth of Jabir collected by Muslim, and Muhammad bin Nasr from Jabir –Radi Allaahu anhu– that he said, the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:

‘If one of you has completed the prayer in his Masjid, then he should make a portion of his prayer for the house, since indeed Allaah will place goodness in his home from his prayer.’

Imam Nawawi said in the explanation of Muslim:

‘Indeed one is encouraged to pray optional prayer in the home due to it being more hidden away, further away from showing off, more protective from being cancelled out and that the home can get blessings, and that mercy can descend in the home, and the Angels, and that the Shaytaan runs away.’

5 – Lying down on the Right Hand side after the Two Rakah Sunnah of the Fajr

Abu Tayeeb al-Atheem-a-Baadi said:

‘It is the Sunnah to lie down on the right side after the Sunnah of the Fajr prayer, whether he performed Tahhajjud (the night prayer) or not, and this is the truth, and this has been narrated from the hadeeth of four people from the Companions of the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam, Ayesha, Abu Hurairah, Ibn Abbas and Abdullaah bin ‘Amr.

The Hadeeth of Ayesha, collected by Bukhari that she said:

‘The Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to lie down on his right side after praying two Rakats [Sunnah] of Fajr.’

Also, in Muslim from Ayesha the wife of the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- who said:

‘The Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to pray after finishing the Isha prayer, which the people call ‘al-‘Uttmah’ he would pray eleven Rakah till the Fajr prayer, he would give the Salaam between every two Rakah, and pray one Rakah Witr. And when the Muhaddin would finish from the call to the Fajr prayer, and it would be clear to the Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam-that it is Fajr time and the Muhaddin would come to the Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam, then he would pray a light two Rakah, then lie down on his right side, until the Muadhin would come to him -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- to make the call that prayer is established.’[17]

  • Laying down after the Sunnah prayer for Fajr is not done in the masjid

Shaykh Albaani commented on the Hadeeth of Aeysha –Radi Allaahu anha:

‘…then lie down on his right side, until the Muadhin would come to him -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam.’

Shaykh Albaani said:

‘This is a clear proof of the permissibility of laying down between the Sunnah of the Fajr prayer and the obligatory prayer, however, it is not known that anyone from the Companions did so in the Masjid, but rather some of them disliked and criticised this.  Therefore, it should be limited to what the Prophet did in his house as is his – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam –Sunnah.’[18]

  • The Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to say or talk after the two Rakah Sunnah for Fajr

It has been collected by Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawood from Ayesha who said:

‘The Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to, once he had prayed the two Rakah of the Sunnah for the Fajr, he would talk to me if I were awake, otherwise he would lie down.’

Nawawi said in ‘al-Minhaaj Sharh Muslim bin al-Hajjaaj’:

‘In this narration is the proof that it is permissible to talk after the Sunnah of the Fajr prayer.  This is our Madhab, and the Madhab of Malik and the majority of the scholars.’

Al-Qadi said:

‘The Koofeeyoon disliked it, and it is narrated from Ibn Mas’ood and some of the Salaf that this time between two Rakah of the Sunnah for the Fajr and the Fajr prayer is for seeking forgiveness. However, what is correct is that it is permissible due to the action of the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam. As for it being regarded as the recommended time for seeking forgiveness then that does not prevent the allowance to speak.’

Al-Qastallani said in ‘Irshaad as-Saari’:

‘In this Hadeeth, is that there is no problem with permissible speech after the two Rakah Sunnah for the Fajr.  Ibn al-Arabi said: ‘There is no mention or narration of an excellence of remaining silent at the time, rather that is after the obligatory Morning Prayer until sunrise.’

 

6 – The Dislike of Praying the Optional Prayer once Fajr Time has come in, other than the Two Rakah Sunnah for the Fajr Prayer

Abu Taeeb al-Atheem-a-Baadi said:

‘It is disliked to pray the optional prayer after Fajr time has come in, because the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- did not pray more than the two Rakah of the Sunnah even though he had great concern over the prayer.  Yet there is a prohibition from the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- against this.

Muslim and Nisa’ee narrated from Hafsah who said:

‘If the Fajr time came in, the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- would not pray except for two light Rakahs.’

7 – The Dislike for the Worshipper to begin Praying Two Rakah Sunnah for the Fajr After the Muadhin began the Iqama for the prayer.

Abu Taeeb al-Atheem-a-Baadi said:

 ‘Know that it is disliked to perform the two Rakah of Sunnah for the Fajr after the Muadhin has begun the Iqama for the prayer, this is whther the worshipper is amongst the rows, or not in the row, whether he knows that he will catch the Rakah with the Imam or not.  This is what has been narrated from the Hadeeth of Abu Hurairah, Abdullaah bin Malik bin Buhaynah, Abdullaah bin Surjiss, Ibn Umar, Jabir, Ibn Abbas, Anas bin Muhammad, Zayed bin Thabit, Abu Musa and ‘Aeysha –Radi Allaahu anhum.

a) As for the Hadeeth of Abu Hurairah, collected by Muslim that the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:

‘If the prayer is established then there is no prayer except for the obligatory one.’

b) Bukhari collected from Abdullaah bin Malik bin Buhaynah who said: The Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- passed by a man, and the prayer had just been established [the Iqama was called] while that man was praying two Rakah, after the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- finished, the people gathered around him, so the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:

‘Is the morning prayer four Rakahs? Is the morning prayer four Rakahs?’

Abu Taeeb al-Atheem-a-Baadi discusses the general times that prayer is prohibited: ‘Five types, the prohibition to pray after Fajr and Asr, at the time of sunrise, at sunset, and when the sun has reached its highest point, and every one of these types has exceptions. So we say: from the specific times out of the general times is the Hadeeth of Abu Hurairah which was collected by Bukhari in the ‘Chapter: Whoever catches one Rakah from the Asr prayer before sunset.

Bukhari narrates from Yahya from Salmah from Abu Hurairah who said: The Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:

‘If one of you catches a Sajdah from the Asr prayer before the sunsets, then he should complete his prayer.  If one of you catches a Sajdah from the morning prayer before the sunrises then he should complete his prayer.’

An-Nawawi said:

‘This is a clear evidence that whoever caught and prayed a Rakah of the morning or Asr prayer, and then the prayer time finished before he gave Salam then his prayer is not null and void, rather he should complete it, and his prayer is correct.  There is a consensus about this point regarding the Asr prayer, as for the morning prayer, then Malik, Shaafi’ee, Ahmad and all the scholars accept it except Abu Hanifah -Rahimullaah, since he says that the morning prayer is void due to sunrise, because the time where Salat is prohibited has entered, and this is in contrast to sunset, but the Hadeeth is an evidence against him.’

Abu Taeeb al-Atheem-a-Baadi also mentions:

‘From those specific matters for the general prohibition is the Ahadeeth of Anas, Abu Hurairah and Abu Qatadah. As for the Hadeeth of Anas, then that has been collected by the six Imams [Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Nisa’ee and Ibn Majah] and Darmi from Anas from the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- who said:

‘Whoever forgets a prayer then he should pray it when he remembers, there is no expiation for the missed prayer except to pray it. << and perform the Salat for My remembrance>> [Taha: 14]’

8 – Praying two Rakah Sunnah for the Fajr Prayer after the Obligatory Prayer if You Cannot Pray Before it

Shaykh Muhammad Bazmool said:

‘Whoever misses the two Rakah [Sunnah] of the Fajr prayer

It is legislated for the person who misses the two Rakah of Fajr, that he can then pray them directly after the obligatory prayer or after the sun has risen, and what is better is to pray them after the sun has risen.

From Abu Hurairah –Radi Allaahu anhu– who said the Messenger of Allaah said:

‘Whoever did not pray the two Rakah [Sunnah] of Fajr; then he should pray them after the sun has risen.’[19]

I [Bazmool] say: ‘The apparent meaning of the Hadeeth indicates that the Sunnah of Salat al-Fajr is obligatory to be prayed after the sun has risen if you had missed this Sunnah prayer, however, this verdict is shifted to a recommended act due to the proof from the following Hadeeth:

From Qays bin Qahd –Radi Allaahu anhu– that he prayed the Morning Prayer along with the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam, but he had not prayed the two Rakah for the Sunnah of the Fajr prayer.  So when the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- gave the Salam from the prayer, Qays gave the Salam with him and then after that he stood and prayed two Rakah of the Sunnah for the Fajr, while the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- was watching him, and he -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam-did not criticize him for it.’ [20]

The Hadeeth shows the permissibility of making up the Sunnah prayer of al-Fajr after the obligatory prayer for the person who had not prayed it before the obligatory prayer.’[21]

All Praise belongs to Allaah, may His peace and blessings be upon our final Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions and all those who follow his guidance.


[1] The majority of this article has been compiled from the book: ‘A’laam Ahl-ul-‘Asr BiHaakaam Rakatay al-Fajr’ by Abu Tayyib Muhammad Shams al-Haqq al-Atheem-a-Baadi

[2] The Importance of the Sunnah of Fajr Prayer

Siddiq Hasan Khan said:

‘Some of the Mushayikh said: ‘The Sunnah of Fajr is starting of actions, and the Witr is ending of actions, this shows the certainty of having concern for these two prayers. This is the reason why it has been legislated to read Soorah Ikhlaas, and Soorah Kafiroon, due to them comprising of Tawheed al-Ilm (knowledge) and al-Amaal (action), and Tawheed al-Ma’rifah (acquainting) and al-Irada (want), and Tawheed al-Itiqaad (belief) and al-Qasd (Intent).’

[Taleeqat ar-Raddeeyah ‘ala Rowddat an-Nadeeya by Siddiq Hasan Khan 1/p.316]

[3] [Bukhari & Abu Dawood]

[4] [Muslim, Tirmidhi & Nisa’ee]

[5] [Muslim]

[6] [Bukhari, Malik in al-Muwatta & Abu Dawood]

[7]  [Bukhari, Muslim, Malik, Abu Dawood & Nisa’ee]

[8] Soorah Kafiroon

[9] Collected by Tabarani in ‘al-Mu’jam al-Kabeer’ from Ibn Umar & Albaani declared it to be Saheeh, in Silsilah Saheeehah No.3328

[10] Soorah Kafiroon

[11] Collected by Ibn Khuzaimah from Ayesha & Albaani declared its Isnad to be Jayyid in Silsilah Saheeehah No.636

[12] Collected by Abu Ya’ala with a Hasan Isnaad, Tabaraani in ‘al-Kabeer’  & Albaani declared it to be Saheeh Lighayrihi in ‘Saheeh Targheeb wa Tarheeb’ no.583 by Albaani

[13] Soorah Kafiroon

[14] Soorah Ikhlaas

[15] [Collected by Muslim, Abu Dawood, Nisa’ee and Ibn Majah]

[16] [Collected by Abu Dawood & Albaani regarded it as Hasan no.1260]

[17] [Muslim, Ahmad & Bayhaqi]

[18] From: ‘Salat ul Taraweeh’ p.90 by Muhammad Nasir ud-Deen al-Albaani]

[19] ‘Hadeeth Saheeh, collected by Tirmidhi in ‘Kitab as-Salah’, Chapter: what is mentioned regarding praying them after sunrise, and authenticated by al-Haakim, Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibban in ‘al-Ihsaan’ and it is authenticated by the researcher of that book, and al-Albaani authenticated it in ‘Saheeh Sunnan at-Tirmidhi’, and also in Silsilah Saheeehah No.2361

[20] Hadeeth Hasan Li Ghayri hi, collected by Tirmidhi in ‘Kitab as-Salah’, Chapter: what is mentioned about he person who misses the two Rakah before Fajr then he should pray them after the obligatory Fajr prayer.

Also collected by Abu Dawood in ‘Kitab as-Salah’ Chapter: whoever misses the prayer so that he has to make it up. Authenticated by al-Haakim, Ibn Khuzaimah and Ibn Hibban.  It was authenticated by al-Allamma Ahmad Shakir in his checking of ‘Sunnan Tirmidhi’ and al-Albaani in ‘Saheeh Sunnan Tirmidhi’.

A benefit: the Hadeeth shows the permissibility of praying the missed prayers at the time when prayer is prohibited.’

[21] [Taken from: ‘Bugheeyah al-Muttatowa’ fee Salat al-Muttatowa’ by Muhammad Bazmool p. 28-29]

Questions Concerning Everyday Issues : Shaykh bin Bâz

Answered by the Noble Scholar and Muftee
Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin ‘Abdullaah bin Baaz [1]
Al-Istiqaamah Issue Issue No.2 – Safar 1417H / July 1996

INCREASING EEMAAN (FAITH)

[Q]: Firstly: I begin my question by seeking your advice that I may benefit from you with regards to how I may increase my eemaan (faith)?
Secondly: I wish to learn about the religion, however Islaamic books are very rare in my country (Algeria), except some books which are with some brothers – may Allaah reward them with goodness.
Thirdly: I work as a builder and the people that I work with do not really have sound faith and their speech is nothing more than gossip and obscenities.
Fourthly: I keep company with a brother whose beliefs are corrupt and who constantly speaks ill of the righteous and believing brothers and I feel very distraught about this. So I hope that you will direct me to a cure for this disease.

[A]: Firstly: We advise you to recite the Qur’aan frequently and that you increase in your hearing of it and in your recitation of it. Reflect and consider its meaning to the best of your ability and what you do not understand of it, then ask the people of knowledge of your country about it, or write to those outside of your country from the Scholars of Sunnah (Prophetic guidance).

We also advise you to increase in the dhikr (remembrance) of Allaah with such remembrances and supplications that are authentically related, such as saying laa ilahaa ilallaah (that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah), or saying subhaanallaah wal-hamdulillaah wa laa ilaha ilallaahu wallaahu akbar (declaring Allaah free from all imperfections, praising Him and declaring that none has the right to be worshipped except Him and that He is greater), and their like. For this purpose, we urge you to refer to books such as al Kalimut-Tayyib of Ibn Taymiyyah, al Waabilus-Sayyib of Ibn al-Qayyim, Riyaadhus-Saaliheen and al-Adhkaar both by Imaam an-Nawawee, and their like.

This is because the remembrance of Allaah increases eemaan (faith) and causes hearts to attain tranquility, as Allaah – the Most High – said: “Indeed in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find tranquility.” [Soorah ar-Ra’dd 13:28].

Also preserve your five daily Prayers, your Fasting and the rest of your obligations – along with hoping in Allaah’s mercy and forgiveness and relying upon Him in all your affairs. Allaah – the Most High – said: “The Believers ate only those who, when Allaah is mentioned, feel a fear in the hearts, and when His Verses are recited to them, it increases their eemaan (faith), and they put their trust and rely upon Allaah alone. They are those who perform the Prayer and spend out of that which We have given them, they are Believers in truth. For them ate grades of dignity and nobility with their Lord, and also forgiveness and generous provisions.” [Soorah al-Anfaal 8:2-4].

Secondly: Islaamic books are easily found in every Muslim country, especially in public libraries and bookshops. So the one who seeks after them will find them. We advise you to refer to the people of knowledge of the Sharee’ah (Prescribed Law of Allaah) so that they may direct you to suitable books for you to read, borrow or buy. If there are any problems regarding this, then it is not fitting for us to stop answering your questions from the Pure Revelation – and We ask Allaah that He makes us firm in that, and only His help is sought.

Thirdly, Fourthly: It is upon you to keep good company and to sit in righteous gatherings in order to benefit from them and their manners and their knowledge and that they may assist you in cultivating obedience to Allaah. So be careful and beware of bad companionship, and evil gathering. Beware, so that they may not influence you, adversely affecting your morals and manners, such that you fall into ill-repute, or that they weaken your resolve and determination in fulfilling your religious obligations and the obligations to your family. Indeed, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam advised the Ummah to sit in good gatherings, and he warned them from the evil and foul gatherings, and he gave a noble example about this, when he said: “The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of a seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows. As for the seller of musk then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at the very least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows, then either he will burn your clothes, or you will get an offensive smell from him.” This was related by al-Bukhaaree (4/323), from Abu Moosaa al-Ash’aree radiallaahu ‘anhu. 1

CONCERNING A WOMAN’S MAHR (DOWRY)

[Q]: I and many others have observed that many people are very excessive when it comes to the matter of the mahr (wedding dowry that is paid to the bride), and that they seek great amounts of mahr when it comes to the marriage of their daughters, and they stipulate as a condition the giving of other gifts to them, along with the mahr. This wealth that people demand in such cases, is it halaal (lawful) or haraam (unlawful)?

[A]: What is prescribed in the Sharee’ah is that the mahr should be a small amount and that people should not compete with each other in this regard, acting in accordance with the many ahaadeeth which are related about this. They should also help facilitate marriages and be keen in preserving the modesty and decency of the young Muslim men and women. And it is not permissible for the awliyaa (guardians of the brides-to-be) to demand and stipulate gifts for themselves, since they have no right at all in this matter. Rather the right belongs to the woman, and in some particular cases to the father. He may stipulate a condition as long as it does not harm the daughter, nor lead to the delaying of the marriage. However, if the father forgoes such a right then this is better and more preferable. Allaah – the One free from all defects – says: “And marry those amongst you who are single and also marry the pious of your male and female slaves. If they be poor, Allaah will enrich them out of His Bounty.” [Soorah an-Noor 24:32].

In the hadeeth of ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir radiallaahu ‘anhu, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “The best dowry is that which is easy.” This was narrated by Abu Daawood and al-Haakim who authenticated it. And once a woman offered herself to the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam for marriage. However, one of his Companions desired to marry her, so the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said [regarding the mahr]: “Bring something, even if it be an iron ring.” So when he could not find even this, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam married them for the dowry that the man would teach whatever of the Qur’aan he knew to her. 2

And the dowry of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s wives was five-hundred dirhams, which is equivalent to one-hundred and thirty riyaals today. And his daughters were married for the mahr of four-hundred dinaars, which is equivalent to one-hundred riyaals today. Allaah – the Most High – said: “Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah you have a most beautiful example to follow.” [Soorah al-Ahzaab 33:21].

So whenever the difficulties relating to marriage are lightened, then preserving the modesty and decency of young men and women becomes easier, shameful and evil deeds decrease, and the Ummah – as a result – will increase in number. However if this matter is made difficult, and people continue competing with each other with regards to the mahr (dowry), then the number of marriages will decrease, fornication will become more widespread and more young men and women will remain unmarried – except those whom Allaah saves.

So my sincere advice to all the Muslims, wherever they may be, is to facilitate the marriage process and to cooperate in this and make it easy. They should turn away from demanding excessive mahr and avoid unnecessary hardships and difficulties in the waleemah (wedding-feast). Rather, they should content themselves with a waleemah that is according to the Sharee’ah, in which the burdens and difficulties for the husband and wife are minimal. May Allaah improve and rectify all the affairs of the Muslims and may He give them the guidance and ability to cling to the Sunnah (Prophetic guidance) in all matters. 3

IMPURITIES UPON ONE’S CLOTHING WHILST PRAYING

[Q]: If a person finds some impurity upon his clothes after he has finished praying in it, does the Prayer have to be prayed again?

[A]: Whosoever prays, and is unaware that there are impurities upon his body or his clothes during the Prayer, but only realises after he has completed it, then his Prayer will be deemed as correct, according to the most correct position of the Scholars. Similarly, if he was aware of such impurities before the Prayer, but then forgot about this at the time of praying and did not remember except after the Prayer, then his Prayer likewise will be correct. Allaah – the Mighty and Majestic said: “Our Lord! Do not take us to task if we forget or fall into error.” [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:286]. It has been authentically related about Allaah’s Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, that one day he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam led the people in Prayer, wearing his shoes. Then the angel Jibreel came to him during the Prayer and informed him that there was some dirt on his shoes. So the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam removed them and continued with his Prayer and he did not repeat the Prayer.4 This is part of the ease which Allaah – the One free from all defects – has given to His servants out of His Mercy for them. However, if a person forgets that he had passed wind, then prays in that state, he must – by ijmaa’ (consensus) of the Scholars – repeat his prayer again, when he remembers. This is due to the saying of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam: “The Prayer will not be accepted without purification nor will charity be accepted from wealth that is unlawful.” This has been related by Muslim in his Saheeh (1/140) and the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s saying: “The Prayer of any one of you who has released wind will not be accepted, until he makes wudhoo (ablution).” Related by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim. 5

SLAUGHTERING FOR OTHER THAN ALLAAH

[Q]: The slaughtering of sheep and other such animals at the graves of the pious people, for their sake and in order to please and draw closer to them, is a custom amongst my family. I have tried to prevent them from doing so, but it has only made them more resolute in doing so. I have said to them that this is shirk (associating partners in the worship) of Allaah. But they respond by saying: We only worship Allaah the way He deserves to be worshipped. However, we visit the graves of the awliyaa (the pious friends of Allaah) and supplicate to Allaah, through the right of the pious people, so that harm and difficulties may be averted from us. I have said to them that this is not from the religion, but they just tell me to leave them alone upon what they are doing. So what do you suggest should be the cure for such people, and what do you suggest I do to counter act this bid’ah (innovation)?

[A]: It is known from the evidences related in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah that sacrificing for other than Allaah, in order to draw close to other than Allaah – whether sacrificing for the jinns, awliyaa, idols or other than that from the creation – is an act of shirk and is an act of jaahiliyyah (pre-Islaamic ignorance) that was practiced by the mushriks (those who worshipped the pious men, jinns, angels, stones, statues, etc, along with worshipping Allaah). Allaah- the Mighty and Majestic – said: “Say: Indeed my Prayer, my sacrifce, my living and my dying are all for Allaah Lord of the worlds. No partner do I setup with Him in this, and this is what I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims.” [Soorah al-An’aam 6:162]. So Allaah – the Most Perfect – clearly explains in this verse that sacrificing to other than Allaah is like praying to other than Him. And Allaah – the Most High – said: “Indeed We have granted to the Prophet sallallaabu ‘alayhi wa sallam the Kawthar (a river in Paradise whose banks are lined with tents made from hollow pearls). Therefore turn in Prayer to your Lord and sacrifice to Him alone.” [Soorah al-Kawthar 108:1-2]. So Allaah – the One free from all defects – commanded His Prophet in these noble verses that he should pray only to His Lord and that he should sacrifice to only Him, which was opposite of what the mushriks did, in that they used to prostrate to other than Allaah and to sacrifice to other than Him. Allaah – the Most High – said: “And your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him.” [Soorah al-Israa 17:23]. And He – the Most Perfect – said: “And they have not been commanded except to worship Allaah alone making the religion purely and sincerely for Him.” [Soorah al-Bayyinah 98:5]. And there are many other verses with the same meaning. So, since sacrificing is one of the acts of ‘ibaadah (worship), then it is obligatory to make this action purely and sincerely for Allaah alone, without directing it to other than Him. Also ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib radiallaahu ‘anhu said that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “May Allaah curse the one who sacrifices to other than Allaah.” This has been related by Muslim in his Saheeh (no.765).

As for supplicating to Allaah and asking Him by the right of the awliyaa or by the right of His Messenger, or by the status of His Messenger – then this does not constitute shirk, but rather it is a bid’ah (innovation) which leads to shirk, in the opinion of the majority of Scholars. This is because du’aa (supplication) is an act of worship, and how it is to be done can only be known from the Revelation. And there is nothing authentically established from our Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam to show the permissibility or validity of this type of tawassul (seeking the means of nearness to Allaah by invoking an intermediary) in which Allaah is asked through the right of His Prophet or the right of the awliyaa or any of His creation. So it is not permissible for any Muslim to innovate new forms of tawassul which has not been prescribed by Allaah, as He – the Most High – said: “Or do they have partners with Allaah who prescribe for them a religion which Allaah has not prescribed.” [Soorah ash-Shooraa 42:21]. And the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Whosoever introduces into this affair of ours that which is not from it, will be rejected”, and in another authentic narration: “Whosoever does an action that I have not commanded, it will be rejected.” 7 And the meaning of this is that such innovated actions will be rejected and not accepted from its doer. Thus it is obligatory for the Muslims to restrict themselves to only what Allaah has prescribed and to beware of what people have innovated into the religion. As regards the prescribed forms of tawassul then they are: tawassul (seeking the means of nearness to Allaah) through His Names and His Attributes and by righteous actions, and by one’s eemaan (faith) in Allaah and His Messenger, and other righteous and prescribed actions similar to this. 9


1. Fataawaa Lajnatud-Daa’imah lil-Buhoothul-‘Ilmiyah wal-Iftaa (3/185-187).
2. Related by Abu Daawood in his Sunan.
3. Al-Fataawa (1/168-169).
4. Saheeh: Related by Abu Daawood (no.650) and al-Bayhaqee (2/431), from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudree radiallaahu ‘anhu. It was authenticated by an-Nawawee in al-Majmoo’ (2/189).
5. Fataawaa Muhimmah Tata’allaqu bis-Salaah (no.14).
6. Related by al-Bukhaaree (2/166) and Muslim (5/133), from ‘Aaishah radiallaahu ‘anhaa.
7. Related by Muslim (no.1817), from ‘Aaishah radiallaahu ‘anhaa.
8. Al-Fataawaa (1/17-18).

The Way to Perform the Night Prayer : Shaykh al-Albanee

Author:Imaam Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albaanee
Source:Qiyaam Ramadaan (pg. 28-30)
Translator:isma’eel alarcon (for al-manhaj.com)

I spoke in detail about this subject in my book Salaat at-Taraaweeh (pg. 101-115), so I felt that I should abridge that discussion here in order to make it easy for the reader and to remind him:

The First Manner: consists of thirteen rak’aat, which is commenced with two short rak’aat. According to the most correct opinion, these are the two rak’aat of Sunnah prayer offered after ‘Ishaa, or they are two specific rak’aat by which one begins the Night Prayer, as has been stated previously. Then one prays two very long rak’aat (after that). Then two more rak’aat are prayed, and then another two rak’aat are prayed. Then two more rak’aat are prayed and another set of two rak’aat are prayed. Then witr is made with one rak’ah.

The Second Manner: consists of thirteen rak’aat. There are eight rak’aat within them, in which one makes tasleem after every two rak’aat. Then witr is made with five rak’aat and one does not sit nor make the tasleem except in the fifth rak’ah.

The Third Manner: consists of eleven rak’aat, in which one makes tasleem after every two rak’aat and then prays witr at the end with one rak’ah.

The Fourth Manner: consists of eleven rak’aat, in which one prays four rak’aat and makes one tasleem after the four. The he prays another four in a similar manner and ends it with three rak’aat (for witr).

Would the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) remain in the sitting position after every two rak’aat, when praying a unit of four rak’aat or a unit of three rak’aat? We do not find a clear answer for this, but remaining in the sitting position (for tashahhud) while doing a unit of three rak’aat is not legislated (in the Religion)!

The Fifth Manner: consists of eleven rak’aat, in which one prays eight rak’aat and does not sit in any of them except for the eighth rak’ah. While sitting (in the eighth rak’ah), he makes the tashahhud and sends Salaat on the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) and then stands up again without making the tasleem. Then he makes witr with one rak’ah and when finished, he makes the tasleem. This consists of nine rak’aat. Then he prays two rak’aat after that while in the sitting position.

The Sixth Manner: One prays nine rak’aat, in which he does not sit except after the sixth rak’ah. Then he makes the tashahhud and sends Salaat on the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) and then stands again without making the tasleem. Then he makes witr with three rak’aat and when finished, he makes the tasleem, etc. (the rest is the same as the previous manner)

These are the manners in which it is reported that the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) performed the Night Prayer. It is possible to add other types of manners to it, by subtracting what one wishes from each set of rak’aat until he cuts it down to one rak’ah, acting on the previously mentioned hadeeth of Allaah’s Messenger (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam): “So whoever wishes, then let him pray witr with five rak’aat, and whoever wishes, then let him pray witr with three rak’aat, and whoever wishes, then let him pray witr with one rak’ah.”

So if one wants, he can pray these five rak’aat or three rak’aat with one sitting and one tasleem, as is stated in the Second Manner. And if he wants, he can make tasleem after every two rak’aat, as is stated in the Third Manner, and this is preferred.

As for praying the set of five rak’aat or three rak’aat by sitting after every two rak’aat and not making the tasleem, then we did not find any authentic report that the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) used to do this. The asl (foundation) is that it is permissible, but since the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) forbade us from praying witr with three rak’aat indicating the reason for that by saying: “And do not liken it to the Maghrib prayer.” [1] So then anyone that prays the witr in three rak’aat must not liken it to the Maghrib prayer. This can be done in two ways:

1. Making the tasleem between the even and odd number rak’ah (i.e. between the second and the third rak’ah). This is what is more strong and preferred.

2. One does not sit between the even and odd number (i.e. he prays three rak’aat straight with one tasleem), and Allaah knows best.


Footnotes:

[1] Reported by At-Tahaawee, Ad-Daraqutnee and others. See At-Taraaweeh (pg. 99 & 110)

The Description of The Eid prayer, Number of Rakats and The Eid Takbirs : Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen

See Fataawa Arkaan al-Islam by Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy o­n him), p. 398; Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 8/300-316).

The Eid prayer is o­ne where the imam attends and leads the people in praying two rak’ahs. ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The prayer of al-Fitr is two rak’ahs and the prayer of al-Adha is two rak’ahs, complete and not shortened, o­n the tongue of your Prophet, and the o­ne who fabricates lies is doomed.” Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 1420 and Ibn Khuzaymah. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i.

It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to come out o­n the day of al-Fitr and al-Adha to the prayer place, and the first thing he would do was to offer the prayer. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 956

In the first rak’ah he should say Takbeerat al-ihraam (say “Allaahu akbar” to start the prayer), after which he should say six or seven more takbeers, because of the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), “The takbeer of al-Fitr and al-Adha is seven takbeers in the first rak’ah and five takbeers in the second, apart from the takbeer of rukoo’.” Narrated by Abu Dawood and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 639.

Then he should recite al-Faatihah, and recite Soorat Qaf in the first rak’ah. In the second rak’ah he should stand up saying takbeer, and when he has stood up completely he should say takbeer five times, and recite Soorat al-Faatihah then Soorat al-Qamr. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite these two soorahs during the two Eids. Or if he wishes he can recite Soorat al-A’la in the first rak’ah and Soorat al-Ghaashiyah in the second, because it was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite al-A’la and al-Ghaashiyah in the Eid prayer.

The imam should revive the Sunnah be reciting these soorahs so that the Muslims will become familiar with the Sunnah.

After the prayer, the imam should address the people. Part of the khutbah should be addressed specifically to the women, telling them of the things that they should do and warning them against the things that they should avoid, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to do.

[Video] How to Perform Funeral/Janazah Salah : Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen

The sheikh rahimahu Allah explains in details how to perform salatu-janazah (funeral prayer). This includes the du’a and the takbeer and for whom it is.