Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): I saw Allah's Messenger ﷺ mounting his ride at Thoo al-Hulayfah and then started saying, "Labbaik" when the Mount stood upright..

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would diligently observe the actions of the Prophet ﷺ to learn his traditions and the rites of religion, including the rite of pilgrimage.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that he saw Allah’s Messenger ﷺ mounting his camel when he departed from Thool al-Hulayfah to perform his farewell hajj. The location of Thoo al-Hulayfah is about 13 kms from al-Madeenah and about 408 kms from Makkah and is known today as the Wells of ‘Alee (Arabic: Abaar ‘Alee). It is considered the Meeqaat of al-Madeenah (i.e., the place from which the people of al-Madeenah enter their state of Ihraam) and the farthest of all Meeqaats from Makkah.
He (may Allah be pleased with him) then mentioned that after Allah’s Messenger ﷺ mounted his camel and it stood upright, he ﷺ said the words of Talbiyah aloud. The words of Talbiyah are mentioned in the hadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, which Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated. The words are: “Labbayk-Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, inna al-ḥamda, wal ni`matah, laka wal Mulk, laa shareeka lak”, which means: “I am here at Your service, O Allah, I am here at Your service. I am here at Your service, You have no partner, I am here at Your service. Surely the praise, and blessings are Yours, and the dominion. You have no partner.
One of the benefits to learn from this hadeeth is that the Talbiyah should be recited aloud when one begins his Ihraam, and when the mount stands upright, if it was an animal, or when riding the vehicle to start the journey..

1517

Narrated Thumaamah ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Anas: Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) performed the Hajj on a packsaddle, and he was not a miser. Anas related, "Allah's Messenger ﷺ performed Hajj on a packsaddle and the same Mount was carrying his baggage too.".

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would diligently observe the actions of the Prophet ﷺ to learn his traditions and the rites of religion, including the rite of pilgrimage.
In this hadeeth, Thumaamah ibn ‘Abdullah reports that his grandfather, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) performed the Hajj on a packsaddle, and he was not a miser, to indicate that he only did that out of humility and to follow the practice of the Prophet ﷺ. This is because at that time, people used to travel in a howdah, which is a closed compartment put on the back of the camel. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) explained that the Prophet ﷺ performed the Hajj on a packsaddle, which is a kind of a seat put on the camel for the rider and to which loads can be attached. The reason he (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned that his mount carried his baggage too is that the practice of high-status people at that time was to put their baggage on a different camel. This manifested the humbleness and humility of the Prophet ﷺ who travelled on a packsaddle that carried his baggage too.
One of the benefits to learn from this hadeeth is that we should be humble and show humility before Allah, Most High, in our journey for Hajj and to avoid any form of extravagance in this journey.
This hadeeth shows the keen interest of Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) to follow the example of the Prophet ﷺ..

1520

Narrated ‘AAaishah, the Mother of the Believers, (may Allah be pleased with her): I said: "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! We consider Jihaad as the best deed. Should we not fight in Allah's Cause?" He ﷺ said, "The best Jihaad (for women) is performing a Hajj-Mabroor..

Commentary : The kindness of Allah manifests in all forms, and one of which is offering people, both men and women, alternative good deeds that are suitable to their ability and within their capacity.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers, ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reports that she asked o the Prophet ﷺ to allow women fighting in the path of Allah along with men since it is one of the best deeds that a person can do to earn great reward. However, the Prophet ﷺ informed her that the best deed for women is Hajj. He ﷺ explained to her that fighting in the cause of Allah (i.e., Jihaad) is not prescribed for women, and that the best good deed for women and the type of Jihaad that is prescribed for women is performing a Hajj Mabroor i.e., that which has fulfilled all its rulings, is accepted by Allah, free of showing off and sins, and is covered by lawful money.
The reason Hajj is called Jihaad as it involves fighting the desires and endurance of physical and financial hardships.
One of the benefits to learn from this hadeeth is learning that Jihaad (i.e., fighting in the cause of Allah) is not dictated upon women.
It shows that Jihaad is one of the best deeds for women and that Hajj is one of the best deeds for women..

1521

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's pleasure and [during which] does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins, then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.".

Commentary : Performing Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, which is an obligatory act of worship that requires departing our habits, desires, and routines to comply and submit to Allah’s Command. Allah has promised whoever fulfills the rights of this superior act of worship an immense reward.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ explains that a person will return from Hajj pure from all sins just like anew born if the following conditions are met. First, he should perform Hajj while hoping to attain Allah’s reward alone. Second, he should perform Hajj without intending by it flaunting or soliciting praise from others. Third, he “does not have sexual relations” from entering the state of Ihraam to the end of Hajj. The Arabic word used to describe this is rafath which refers intercourse and intimate actions that lead to it. It was said that rafath refers to words that are vice, abusive, and filthy. Fourth, he should not commit any sin, be it minor or major, or any act that makes him disobedient to Allah. The reason this condition is mentioned, although it is forbidden in all times, is to emphasize its prohibition particularly during Hajj and highlight its ugliness to show that Hajj and sins do not mix together. Whoever performs Hajj and fulfills all these requirements will have all his sins wiped out and return from it just like a newborn, pure and free of all sins.
This hadeeth highlights the high rank and virtue of Hajj and that fulfilling the conditions of Hajj, that are mentioned in this hadeeth, will expiate all sins, be they minor or major, except sins that involve rights of others..

1523

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): The people of Yemen used to come for Hajj and used not to bring enough provisions with them and used to say that they depend on Allah. On their arrival in Makkah, they used to beg the people. Thereafter, Allah, Most High, revealed, {And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is the fear of Allah.} (Quran 2.197)..

Commentary : Islam teaches and orders the Muslim to rely upon Allah and to attach his heart to Him alone because everything that takes place on earth or in the heavens is subject to His will and decree. However, reliance upon Allah does not contradict taking the means to achieve the desired end. In fact, it is incumbent upon each and every Muslim to look for the means through which they can achieve their objective.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports the reason behind the revelation of the ayah: {And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is the fear of Allah.} – that is being: the people of Yemen used to travel to Makkah to perform Hajj without taking with them enough provisions and supplies, justifying that by saying they are fully relying upon Allah. However, after their arrival to Makkah, they would ask people for food and drink, which proves that they were not fully relying upon Allah rather relying on what people would offer them. This is because reliance upon Allah means detachment from all causes while taking the means leading to the desired end. Thereupon, Allah, Most High, revealed the ayah: {And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is the fear of Allah.} i.e., take enough supplies from food and drink to help perform Hajj and know that the best thing you can rely upon in all your affairs is piety and fearing Him.
This hadeeth teaches us that refraining from asking people for help is from piety, and that reliance upon Allah cannot be true when a person asks others for help. This is because reliance upon Allah means to never ask help from anyone except Him.
It admonishes begging and asking people and encourages us to refrain from begging and asking others..

1524

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): I heard ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) saying: I heard the Prophet ﷺsaying in the valley of Al-`Aqeeq: "Tonight, a messenger came to me from my Lord and asked me to pray in this blessed valley and to assume Ihraam for Hajj and `Umrah together. ".

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would follow the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ in all his affairs and conditions. They described all his actions while he was travelling and residing and clarified to the people the actions that are meant for others to follow and the actions that are just mere habits.
In this hadeeth, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that he heard the Prophet ﷺ, during his journey to perform his farewell hajj, saying that a messenger came to him from Allah i.e., this revelation was either through the archangel Gabriel or a vision in his dream – since the dreams of all Prophets are true and a divine revelation – telling him to pray in this blessed valley, namely the valley of al-Aqeeq. This incident occurred in the valley of al-Aqeeq, which is located near al-Baqee’, which is about 20 km away from the Prophet’s Mosque. The meaning of the word al-‘Aqeeq is the land that water flows through it. It was said that the prayer referred to in the hadeeth is the two units of Ihraam.
The valley was described as blessed because the people of al-Madeenah rejoice whenever water pours out from it as it indicates a heavy rainfall.
The part “assume Ihraam for Hajj and `Umrah together” means assuming the ‘Umrah and Hajj in one go. It is possible that it was intended to mean assuming Ihraam for ‘Umrah be as a part of the Hajj. According to the latter, the Prophet ﷺ would enter the state of Ihraam for Hajj alone at first and assumed his Ihraam for ‘Umrah afterwards.
It was said that this true dream and the compliance of the Prophet ﷺ to the divine order that he ﷺ received- that is to assume Ihraam for ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj abrogated the customs of people that were practiced before Islam who did not allow people to perform ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj.
This hadeeth proves the virtue of the valley of ‘Aqeeq and that it is a blessed place and a source of benefit to people.
It shows that the dreams of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ are truthful and divine, and that it is permissible to couple Hajj with ‘Umrah..

1531

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): When these two towns were conquered, the people went to `Umar (may allah be pleased with him) and said, "O the Chief of the Believers! The Prophet ﷺ specified Qarn as the Meeqaat for the people of Najd, and it is beyond our way, and it is difficult for us to pass through it." He (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Take as your Meeqaat a place situated opposite to Qarn on your usual way. So, he fixed Dhaat ‘Irq (as their Meeqaat).".

Commentary : The Messenger of Allah ﷺ set out known places to serve as it refers to the boundary from which pilgrims and those who wish to perform ‘Umrah must enter the state of Ihraam. These places are called in Arabic Meeqaat.
In this hadeeth, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) explains that if there is no Meeqaat on a person’s route, then they should enter into ihraam when they come in line with the nearest Meeqaat to it. This clarification was offered by ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) after the conquest of al-Koofah and al-Basrah, which are two famous cities in Iraq. Some people from them visited ‘Umar and mentioned to him that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ specified Qarn, as a Meeqaat for the people of Najd but it was not within their route to Makkah and taking that route to pass by its Meeqaat would make them experience difficulty. The Qarn refers to Qarn al-Manaazil, alias, al-Sayl al-Kabeer, the closest Meeqaat to Makkah, which is situated about 78 kms away from Makkah. Upon hearing their complaint, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) allowed them to take their usual route to Makkah and to enter into the state of Ihraam from a place that is in line with the closest Meeqaat to them, and to take that place as their Meeqaat. He (may Allah be pleased with him) specified Dhaat ‘Irq as their Meeqaat, which is a village that is approximately 100 kms far from Makkah.
This hadeeth shows that it is permissible to enter into the state of Ihraam from a point that is in line with the Meeqaat if it is difficult for one to take the route of the said Meeqaat..

1532

Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them): Allah's Messenger ﷺ made his camel kneel down I.e., halt at the stony ground of Thool al-Hulayfah and prayed there. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) used to do the same too..

Commentary : ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was known for his strong keenness on observing the actions of the Prophet ﷺ, to follow his example in all his affairs and conditions during his travelling and times of residence.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar reports that the Prophet ﷺ made his camel to kneel down to rest at a place in Thool al-Hulayfah, which is a water area that is known for its small pebbles that the people of al-Madeenah know it by the name of al-Mu’arris. Thool al-Hulayfah is a town located 10 km from al-Madeenah, in the spot where the Mosque of Thool al-Hulayfah was built, and it is the Meeqaat of the residents of al-Madeenah and those who pass through it on their way to perform ‘Umrah or Hajj.
This incident took place when the Prophet ﷺ was on his way back from Makkah to al-Madeenah, as he used to sleep over there. He stationed there and prayed in that place, and Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) imitated the Prophet ﷺ in this regard, every time he travelled between Makkah and al-Madeenah, out of his love and keen interest in following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Saheeh al-Bukhaaree contains many reports manifesting the keen interest of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) in finding all the places on this route in which the Prophet ﷺ prayed so he could pray there too.
One of the benefits of this hadeeth is learning that the Prophet ﷺ used to pray in Thool al-Hulayfah.
This hadeeth highlights the keenness of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) on finding and following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ..

1533

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ used to go (for Hajj) via the Tree route and return via Mua’rras route. Whenever Allah's Messenger ﷺ went to Makkah, he used to offer the prayer in the Mosque of the Tree; and on his return, he used to offer the prayer at Thoo al-Hulayfah in the middle of the valley and pass the night there till morning..

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ had travel habits, one of which were that he ﷺ would stop in a place near al-Madeenah waiting for other travelers so they could travel together in one group. From his other travel habits was that he ﷺ would spend a night in a place near al-Madeenah so he ﷺ could enter al-Madeenah in the morning. The Prophet ﷺ also used to pray in every place he stayed at during his journey.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the travel routes that the Prophet ﷺ used to take in his journey to perform ‘Umrah and Hajj were as follows: (i) he ﷺ would take the Tree path, which is located near Masjid Thoo al-Hulayfah, when he departs al-Madeenah On his way back, he ﷺ would take the Mu’rras route, which is a level land at Thoo al-Hulayfah. The Arabic word al-Mu’arras is derived from the word Ta’rees, which means arriving at a place towards the end of the night. From this meaning, the place was given this name because the Prophet ﷺ would arrive there at the last part of the night and stay there till morning. In this place, he ﷺ used to pray too. Thooal-Hulayfah is a town located about 10 kms from al-Madeenah and it is considered the Meeqaat of the residents of al-Madeenah and those who travel through it.
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) continues to say that whenever the Prophet ﷺ would travel to Makkah for the purpose of performing ‘Umrah or Hajj, he would pray at the Tree Mosque at Thoo al-Hulayfah. And, on his way back, he ﷺ would come to the valley of Thoo al-Hulayfah towards the end of the night. He ﷺ would pray there and spend the night there and then head towards al-Madeenah in the morning so travelers do not surprise their families of their arrival at night.
There are a number of reports that are recorded in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that specify the places at which the Prophet ﷺ prayed during his travels. It was said that none of these places and mosques are known today except the Mosque of Thoo al-Hulayfah and the mosques in al-Rawhaa’.
.

1535

Narrated Saalim ibn ‘Abdullah from his father (may Allah be pleased with him): "The Prophet ﷺ said that while resting in the bottom of the valley at Mu’arras in Thoo a-Hulayfah, he ﷺ had been addressed in a dream: 'You are verily in a blessed Bat-haa’.' "
Saalim made us to dismount from our camels at the place where `Abdullah used to dismount, aiming at the place where Allah's Messenger ﷺ had rested, and it was at the same place where the Mosque was built afterwards, in the bottom of the valley in between them (the residence) and the road..

Commentary : ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was so keen to know the places in which the Prophet ﷺ prayed during his travels. He (may Allah be pleased with him) would pray in these places out of his love for the Prophet ﷺ and hoping for the barakah (abundance and blessings) from these places which the Prophet ﷺ blessed by praying in them.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that in one occasion, the Prophet ﷺ had a true dream during his stay at Thoo al-Hulayfah. He ﷺ used to spend the night in the bottom of the valley at al-Mu’arras in Thoo al-Hulayfah where he would spend the night and pray. The Arabic word al-Mu’arras is derived from the word Ta’rees, which means arriving at a place towards the end of the night. From this meaning, the place was given this name because the Prophet ﷺ would arrive there at the last part of the night and stay there till morning. The place where he ﷺ used to stay, rest, and pray is near Masjid Thoo al-Hulayfah.
The angel described the land as blessed and Bat-haa’, which is a term used for every place that formed after a flood, leveled by a water stream, and containing pebbles or stones. The blessed land mentioned in the hadeeth refers to the valley of al-Aqeeq. This event took place during the journey of the Prophet ﷺ to Makkah to perform the Farewell Hajj, as mentioned in one hadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree. Thoo al-Hulayfah is a town that is about 10 KM from al-Madeenah, and it is considered the Meeqaat of the people of al-Madeenah and those who travel through it.
Then, Moosa ibn ‘Uqbah, one of the narrators of this hadeeth, stated that Saalim ibn ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar made him and the people with him dismount from their camels at the place where `Abdullah used to dismount, aiming at the place where Allah's Messenger ﷺ had rested and prayed. All this so he could follow the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ did not pray at the Mosque that was erected afterwards, but rather at the same place where the Mosque was built afterwards, as indicated by Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).
Ibn ‘Umar followed the footsteps of the Prophet ﷺ, so, every time he travelled between Makkah and al-Madeenah, he would imitate the Prophet ﷺ and rest and pray in the same places where the Prophet ﷺ rested and prayed. There are many reports in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree showing how keen he was to find all the places wherein the Prophet ﷺ prayed on this route.
This hadeeth shows the virtue of the valley of al-‘Aqeeq and its abundant blessings..

1536

Narrated Safwaan ibn Ya’la: Ya'la said to 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), "Notify me so I can see the Prophet ﷺ when he receives revelation." While the Prophet ﷺ was at al-Ji'raanah (in the company of some of his Companions), a person came and asked, "O Allah's Messenger! What is your verdict regarding that person who assumes Ihraam for 'Umrah and is scented with perfume?" The Prophet ﷺ kept quiet for a while, and then he started to receive revelation. 'Umar beckoned Ya'la. So, he came and saw that Allah's Messenger ﷺ was shaded with a sheet. Ya'la put his head in and saw that the face of Allah's Messenger ﷺ was red, and he was breathing heavily. When the state of the Prophet ﷺ was over, he ﷺ asked, "Where is the person who asked about 'Umrah?" Then that person was brought, and the Prophet ﷺ said, "Wash the perfume off your body thrice and take off the cloak and do the same in 'Umrah as you do in Hajj."
I said to ‘Ataa’: Were the three times ordered because he ﷺ wanted to ensure it is cleaned well? He said: Yes..

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen to know the different conditions of the Prophet ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee, Safwaan ibn Ya’la ibn Umayyah reports that his father Ya’la ibn Umayyah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) to show him the Prophet ﷺ when he ﷺ receives revelation so that he can know what happens to the Prophet ﷺ.
One day, the Prophet ﷺ was in al-Ji’raanah, which is a place located between Makkah and al-Taa’if and considered the Meeqaat of the people of Makkah that is located about 20 km in the northeast of Makkah. While he ﷺ was there, a man asked him about the ruling of a man who has entered the state of ihram and then scented his body and clothes with perfume. The Prophet ﷺ kept quiet and did not answer him right away. Thereupon, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) signaled with his hand to Ya’la (may Allah be pleased with him) to come to see how the revelation descends upon the Prophet ﷺ. When he arrived, he saw the Prophet ﷺ having a garment over his head to shade him from the sun. He (may Allah be pleased with him) put his head in and saw the face of the Prophet ﷺ was red and his breathes are heavy and audible. After the revelation ended, he ﷺ calmed down and the condition he experienced faded away gradually. Then, he ﷺ answered the man who asked the question that he should wash the perfume off his body three times. And he ﷺ ordered him to remove his cloak, which is a long loose outer garment with wide sleeves that is worn over clothes, because it is a sewn garment, and it is scented with perfume that should be washed off too. According to another version of the hadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, it reads: “came to him a man wearing a cloak having a trace of yellowish perfume.” The Prophet ﷺ then ordered him to do the same in ‘Umrah and Hajj i.e., that which are not allowed in Hajj and Umrah are the same.
After narrating the hadeeth, ‘Abdul Malik ibn Jurayj asked his Shaykh ‘Attaa ibn Abee Rabaah if the Prophet ﷺ ordered washing the clothes thrice out of extra cleanliness. To which, ‘Ataa conformed it.
This hadeeth teaches us that it is not allowed to wear clothes that have traces of perfume, be it in colour or smell. As for perfuming the body before entering the state of ihram, then it is allowed as proven in the authentic hadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukahaaree and Saheeh Muslim: It is narrated on the authority of ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she put some perfume on the body of the Prophet ﷺ before he has entered the state of Ihraam.”
This hadeeth shows that the person who enters the state of Ihraam should exert extra effort to ensure the perfume is removed.
It shows that the Sunnah is based on revelation just as the Quran is a revelation, and that the Sunnah may contain rulings that are not mentioned in the Quran.
.

1537

Narrated Sa’eed ibn al-Jubayr that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to put oil on his body..

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and the Taab’ieen were so keen on following the Sunnah and learning the rites and acts of worship from the Prophet ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, Sa’eed ibn Jubayr, the known Taabi’ee, reports that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) would put oil after entering the state of Ihraam for Hajj and ‘Umrah, and he would not wear perfume. According to a narration recorded in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): “used to oil himself with a sort of oil that had no pleasant smell.” Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) explained himself by saying: “I do not like to enter upon the state of Ihram shaking off the perfume” according to the hadeeth recorded in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim. He (may Allah be pleased with him) used to do it because he thought that wearing any substance of obvious pleasant smell is not allowed before and during the state of Ihraam. All the while, it is established authentic that ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) put musk on the Prophet ﷺ before entering the state of ihram although musk is known of being the most pleasant scent of all perfumes.
This hadeeth shows that it is permissible to oil one’s hair before entering the state of Ihraam..

1538

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): It is as if I still see the glistening of perfume where the hair was parted on Allah's Messenger's ﷺ head while being in the state of Ihraam..

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ clarified all the rulings and etiquettes of Hajj and ‘Umrah in words and actions and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) transmitted to us all what they heard and observed from him ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ loved pleasant scents and perfumes so much such that he ﷺ liked to wear so much perfume all the time. It was one of the few worldly pleasures that were made close to his heart.
In this hadeeth, ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reports how she envisioned the Prophet ﷺ and his actions so much such that it is as if she could see the traces and glistening of the perfume he had on the sides of his head when he was in state of Ihraam. It is reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim that the Prophet ﷺ would wear the best perfume he would have, which indicates that the Prophet ﷺ used to put as much perfume as possible only before wearing the clothes of ihram, entering the state of Ihraam, and reciting the talbiyah.
This hadeeth shows that it is permissible to wear perfume before entering the state of Ihraam..

1539

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) – the wife of the Prophet ﷺ: I used to scent Allah's Messenger ﷺ when he wanted to assume Ihraam and also on finishing Ihraam before the circumambulation around the Ka`bah..

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ clarified all the rulings and etiquettes of Hajj and ‘Umrah in words and actions, and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) transmitted to us all what they heard and observed from him ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reports that she used to perfume Allah’s Messenger ﷺ with a pleasant scent before he ﷺ would enter the state of Ihraam for Hajj or ‘Umrah, and after the first stage of exiting Ihraam in Hajj, after stoning Jamrat al-‘Aqabah, and shaving the head and before the farewell tawaaf. This is because after the first stage of exiting Hajj, all that was not allowed during the state of Ihraam becomes allowed except intercourse. This is noted in the narration recorded in Sunan al-Nisaa’iee, which reads: “"I put perfume on the Messenger of Allah for his Ihram when he entered Ihram, and for his exiting Ihram when he had stoned Jamrat Al-‘Aqabah, before he circumambulated the House.'' There is nothing wrong with wearing perfume at that point of time since what is required is not to wear perfume during the state of Ihraam.
This hadeeth shows that it is permissible to wear perfume before assuming the state of Ihraam and after exiting Ihraam.
It shows how the wife looks after her husband and scents him.
.

1540

Narrated Saalim from his father (may Allah be pleased with him): "I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raising his voice in the Talbiyah with his hair matted.”.

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ clarified all the rulings and etiquettes of Hajj and ‘Umrah in words and actions, and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) transmitted to us all what they heard and observed from him ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that he saw the Prophet ﷺ raising his voice in the words of Talbiyah, saying: “Labbayka Allahumma Labayk, Labbayaka Laa Shareeka Laka Labbayk, Inna al-Hamda wal Ni’mata Laka wal Mulk, Laa Shareeka Lak,” with his hair stuck together. The term used to describe the condition of Allah’s Messenger hair is talbeed, which means, braiding the hair then sticking the hair together with gum and the like, which holds the hair together and keeps it from getting dirty or dusty and keep it away from lice, which is needed while being in the state of Ihraam. The talbeed of hair takes place after taking the bath and before wearing the clothes of Ihraam.
This hadeeth highlights the importance of beauty and cleanliness in Islam.
.

656

‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Abi ‘Amrah reported: ‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān entered the mosque after the Maghrib prayer and sat alone. I sat in front of him, and he said: "O son of my brother, I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: Whoever performs the ‘Ishā’ prayer in congregation, it is as if he has prayed for half the night, and whoever performs the Fajr prayer in congregation, it is as if he has prayed for the whole night.'".

Commentary : Allah Almighty multiplied the reward for the congregation prayer until it surpassed the prayer offered individually by twenty-seven degrees, and its merit increases if it is offered during the night, given its closeness to sincerity to Allah Almighty. Indeed, it is one of the greatest acts aimed at getting close to Allah.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i (the generation after the Companions) ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Abi ‘Amrah relates that ‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān (may Allah be pleased with him) entered the mosque after the Maghrib prayer and sat alone waiting for the time of ‘Ishā’ prayer to come so that he would offer it in congregation. ‘Abdur-Rahmān said: "I sat in front of him." It is as if he sat to learn from him and ask him about the reason for his sitting and waiting. So, ‘Uthmān (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: "O son of my brother." He meant the brotherhood of Islam, not that of blood. "I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: Whoever performs the ‘Ishā’ prayer in congregation, it is as if he has prayed for half the night." In other words, he will obtain a reward like one who engages in worship from the early part of the night to its middle and spends this time in prayer and dhikr (remembrance of Allah). "And whoever performs the Fajr prayer in congregation, it is as if he has prayed for the whole night." He will obtain a reward like one who engages in worship all night long and spends this time in prayer and dhikr. So, the reward for offering the Fajr prayer in congregation is double the reward for offering the ‘Ishā’ prayer in congregation, which indicates that getting up for the Fajr prayer is more meritorious than getting up for the ‘Ishā’ prayer. This is because the Fajr prayer is harder and more difficult for the performer and more tough for the devil. Indeed, he who goes to sleep and then gets up finds it harder than one who wants to sleep. Or it means that each of them equals half of the night, and together they amount to one night. So, whoever offers the ‘Ishā’ and Fajr prayers in congregation, it is as if he has prayed for all the night, as related in a version by Abu Dāwūd and At-Tirmidhi: "Whoever attends the ‘Ishā’ prayer in congregation obtains the reward of praying for half the night, and whoever offers the ‘Ishā’ and Fajr prayers in congregation obtains the reward of praying for one night." In any case, this urges and encourages the regular observance of the Fajr and ‘Ishā’ prayers in congregation. This particular merit afforded to them may be because of the hardship involved in attending the mosques to pray them, like the darkness and the fact that in those times people usually take rest, most likely sleep, or spend private time with their families.
The Hadīth indicates that some prayers are characterized by a certain merit not shared with other prayers..

657

Jundub ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever performs the Fajr prayer is under the protection of Allah; so, let Allah not call you to account regarding anything of His protection; and so, He will seize him and throw him upon his face in Hellfire.".

Commentary : One of the best signs of faith is the strict observance of the obligatory prayers. Allah Almighty affords great merit to those who persistently observe these prayers.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that whoever performs the Fajr prayer in congregation - as reported in the version by Abu Nu‘aym in Al-Mustakhraj - "is under the protection of Allah," i.e., under His safety and guarantee. He singled out the Fajr prayer from all the other prayers due to the hardship involved in its performance and because only those with sincere faith can perform it persistently; they, therefore, deserve to be under the protection, safety, and guarantee of Allah Almighty.
Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "So let Allah not call you to account regarding anything of His protection, or else He will seize him and throw him upon his face in Hellfire." The prohibition here pertains to what entails accountability for violating Allah's guarantee and protection. The Prophet's words here have one of two possible meanings: First: Whoever performs the Fajr prayer obtains a guarantee from Allah. So, no one should harm or oppress him. Whoever oppresses or harms him, Allah will call him to account regarding His protection. Second: Do not abandon the Fajr prayer, lest the guarantee between you and your Lord will be violated, and so He will call you to account regarding it. Whoever does so, Allah will seize him and throw him upon his face in Hellfire.
In the Hadīth: Urging the performance of the Fajr prayer
And in it: Demonstrating the great bounty of Allah and His vast mercy towards this Ummah, as He prescribed an immense reward for the Fajr prayer
And in it: Clarifying Allah's revenge against those who harm His pious servants
And in it: Demonstrating that nothing on the earth or in heaven escapes the power of Allah, and if He wants to exact revenge upon anyone, he cannot escape Him.

660

Anas reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) visited us, and there was no one other than me, my mother, and my maternal aunt ’Umm Harām. He said: "Stand up so that I will lead you in prayer." It was not a time of prayer, he proceeded to lead us in prayer. A man said to Thābit: "Where did he make Anas stand with him?" He said: "He made him stand to his right." Then, he supplicated for us, the members of the household, with all goodness in this world and the Hereafter. My mother said: "O Messenger of Allah, here is your little servant; supplicate Allah for him." He said: He supplicated for me with all goodness, and the last of his supplication for me was: "O Allah, increase his wealth and children and bless them for him.".

Commentary : One of the things urged and encouraged by Islam is to accept invitations, for this displays brotherliness and cordiality among the Muslims. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) built a good relationship with his Companions, and he used to visit them in their houses so as to teach them and supplicate for them.
In this Hadīth, Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) paid a visit to them in their house, and there was none but he and his mother - ’Umm Sulaym - and his maternal aunt ’Umm Harām. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to them: "Stand up so that I will lead you in prayer." This was not a time for an obligatory prayer. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would like the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to pray for them in their houses, in pursuit of blessing. So, he led them in a two-Rak‘ah voluntary prayer. Thereupon, a man asked Thābit al-Bunāni, who narrated from Anas: Where did Anas stand while he was praying with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and on which side did he make him stand? He told him that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) made him stand on his right side, for when one person prays behind an Imām, he should stand to his right; whereas the women stand in a row behind both of them.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) supplicated for the family of Anas with all goodness in this world and the Hereafter. The mother of Anas said: "O Messenger of Allah, here is your little servant" i.e., your boy who serves you. She said "your little servant" by way of gentleness and appeasement, not belittlement. Hence, she said to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "supplicate Allah for him." She probably made this request so that his supplication for him would be compensation for him in return for his kindness to you by extending service for a long time. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) granted her request and supplicated for him with all goodness, and the last supplication he made was: "O Allah, increase his wealth and children and bless them for him." Anas found the blessing of the Prophet's supplication in his wealth and children. He was the wealthiest person among the Ansār, and he saw lots of children descending from him. In a Hadīth narrated by Al-Bukhāri, he said: "Indeed, I am one of the richest among the Ansār and my daughter ’Umaynah told me that when Al-Hajjāj came to Basra, more than 120 of my offspring had been buried." In a version by Muslim: "and my children and grandchildren are more than one hundred today."
The Hadīth contains supplication for the increase of wealth and children.
It comprises supplication for goodness in this world and the Hereafter, for all this lies in the Hand of Allah Almighty.
And it includes preferring one's child over oneself; and making requests in a gentle manner..

663

’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b reported: There was a man from the Ansār whose house was the farthest house in Madīnah, and he would not miss the prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He said: We felt bad for him, and I said to him: "O so and so, if you buy a donkey, it will shield you from the heat of the scorching sand and shield you from the vermin of the earth." He said: "By Allah, I do not like that my house be close to the house of Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)." He said: I was troubled by that and came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and told him. He said: He sent for him, and he said the same to him and mentioned that he hoped for a reward for his steps. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "You will have what you hoped for.".

Commentary : The Companions of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) were the most keen among people on doing good, and they would constantly look for deeds that increased their rewards with Allah Almighty.
In this Hadīth, ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that there was a man from the Prophet's Companions from the Ansār - the people of Madīnah - and it is mentioned in Musnad that he was the cousin of ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with both of them), whose house was the farthest house from the Prophet's Mosque. Despite the remoteness of his house, he would not miss the prayer in the mosque with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) felt pity for him for the hardship and tiredness he would go through while coming and going back. So, they said to him: If you buy a donkey, it will shield you from the heat of the scorching sand; and it will shield you from the vermin of the earth. Vermin is a term that refers to creatures with lethal poison, like serpents, and it may also refer to creatures that are not to be killed, such as insects.
He swore by Allah to them that he would not like his house to be adjacent to the Prophet's house; rather, he liked that it be far away from it, so that his reward would increase with the increase of steps he would take from his house to the mosque. He did not intend to negate his love for being close to the house of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) out of hatred for him, but in the hope of a greater reward with the increase of those steps. ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) assumed by his statement that he meant hatred for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). So, ’Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I was troubled by that" i.e., I found that to be grave and was distressed by it, given the repugnance and horridness of what he said and its evil connotation, namely that he hated the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). In a version by Ahmed, he said: "I have not heard a statement about him more hateful to me than it." ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) interpreted his statement wrongly and thought ill of it because Madīnah abounded with hypocrites at the time, and they were keen to live away from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Then, ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b came to the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and informed him about what this man said. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent for him, and he said the same to him as he said to ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b, and he mentioned to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) that what made him say so was that he hoped for and pursued reward and recompense from Allah for his walking. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "You will have what you hoped for", i.e., Allah Almighty will give you the reward for your steps which you took for the sake of Allah, Exalted be He, and kept in store with Him. Hoping for reward means that one performs a deed for the sake of Allah and thereby seeks recompense and reward from Allah.
The Hadīth points out the merit of walking to the mosques..

664

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh reported: Our houses were situated far away from the mosque. So, we wanted to sell our houses and move near the mosque. But the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) forbade us, saying: "With every step there is a degree for you.".

Commentary : Taking many steps to the mosque is one of the greatest means of reward. The more distant the mosque and the more steps are taken to it, the greater the reward.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that their houses were situated far from the mosque, as they lived on the outskirts of Madīnah. These are the dwellings of Banu Salamah, a group of the Ansār. They wanted to sell these dwellings, given their remoteness, and buy dwellings close to the mosque, seeking to be the neighbors of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). But, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade them from that and explained to them the reward of which they didn't know. He said to them: "With every step there is a degree for you." When your house is more distant from the mosque, every step you take brings a high rank in Paradise, and the more steps you take, the greater the reward. Thus, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) urged them to stay in their houses and not leave them. As related in a Hadīth reported by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) and narrated by Al-Bukhāri: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) disliked that Madīnah be vacated", i.e., that parts of Madīnah become empty of people and houses. So, by staying in their places, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) wanted the areas of Madīnah to be inhabited, so that the Muslims would seem large in number in the eyes of the hypocrites and polytheists, frightening them and showing toughness towards them. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not explicitly say it to them; he only mentioned to them the clear benefit, which would encourage them to agree and prompt them to stay at their houses.
The Hadīth shows the Prophet's concern about his Ummah and his keenness to direct them to what is good and to make the best use of it..

665

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh reported: The area around the mosque became empty. So, Banu Salimah wanted to move near the mosque. News of this reached the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and he said to them: "I was told that you want to move near the mosque." They said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah, we want to." Thereupon, he said: "O Banu Salimah, your houses, your footsteps are recorded; your houses, your footsteps are recorded.".

Commentary : Taking many steps to the mosque is one of the greatest means of reward. The more distant the mosque and the more steps are taken to it, the greater the reward.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that the area around the Prophet's Mosque became empty; "so, Banu Salimah wanted" [some of it]. Banu Salimah was a group of the Ansār, and their houses were far away from the Prophet's Mosque, located behind Mount Sal’, west of Madīnah. They wanted to move and stay close to the Prophet's Mosque, thus becoming neighbors to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was told about that. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to them: "I was told." In other words, your news reached me "that you want" and desire "to move near the mosque." They replied: Yes, we desire to do that, O Messenger of Allah. "We want to." So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to them: "O Banu Salimah, your houses." That is: Stay at your houses and remain therein and do not move from there. "Your footsteps are recorded." That is: Your steps to the mosque are recorded. You gain a reward for the steps you take to the mosque. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) repeated his statement once again: "Your houses, your footsteps are recorded." This was to urge and encourage them to obey his command and stay in their houses and not leave them. As related in another Hadīth reported by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) and narrated by Al-Bukhāri: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) disliked that Madīnah be vacated." In other words, parts of Madīnah become vacated. So, by staying in their places, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) wanted the areas of Madīnah to be inhabited, so that the Muslims would seem large in number in the eyes of the hypocrites and polytheists, thus frightening them and showing toughness towards them. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not explicitly say it to them; he only mentioned to them the clear benefit, which would encourage them to agree and prompt them to stay at their houses.
The Hadīth highlights the merit of walking to the mosques..

671

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The places that are dearest to Allah are the mosques, and the places that are most hateful to Allah are the markets.".

Commentary : Places vary in terms of goodness and evilness. The mosques are places where Allah's mercy and grace descend. By contrast, markets are the places of the devil's acts of greed and heedlessness.
In this Hadīth, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentions that the mosques are the dearest places to Allah Almighty, for they are houses of worship and dhikr and are founded on fear from Allah Almighty. In them, the Qur’an is recited, knowledge is disseminated, the believers get together, the rituals of the religion are displayed, and the angels attend. Also, Allah attributed them to Himself, by way of honor and extolment, saying: {The mosques are for Allah alone.} [Surat al-Jinn: 18]
He also said that the markets are the most hateful places to Allah Almighty, for they witness a lot of false swearing, cheating and deception, heedlessness from the remembrance of Allah Almighty, breaking promises, and impolite treatment, as well as other similar things. Love for the mosques means love for the pious acts that take place therein and hate for the markets means hate for the sins and misdeeds committed therein.
Love and hate are two of Allah's attributes that are established for Him by the Qur’an and the Sunnah in their apparent meanings and in the way that befits the majesty of Allah Almighty, as He established them for Himself without comparison or denial.
The Hadīth urges us to go to the mosques and frequent them in pursuit of Allah's love and pleasure, and to go to the markets less frequently and only when it is needed, so that we can keep away from Allah's dislike and avoid the means leading to His hatred and punishment..

672

Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If there are three persons, let one of them be their Imām, and the worthiest among them for being Imām is their best reciter.".

Commentary : Prayer is a Tawqīfi act of worship, which we must perform as the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) taught it to us. He clarified to us its obligations, Sunnahs, and its etiquette, including the one who is more worthy of leading the prayer.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) tells us that if there are three or more people, they should choose one of them to lead the prayer. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) enjoined that so that no difference, conflict, or dispute should happen among them. Imām here refers to the leader in prayer, as demonstrated by the last part of the Hadīth, as he said: "and the most entitled among them to be the Imām is their best reciter" who is most among them in memorizing the Qur'an and the best in understanding it. In another version by Muslim: "The one who should lead the people in prayer is the best reciter of them in the Book of Allah." So, if there are a group of people qualified to lead the prayer, the best reciter of the Qur'an among them is the worthiest of being the Imām, by virtue of this merit in him. Hence, if they memorize the entire Qur'an, the one of them who recites it in the most perfect, accurate, and measured manner should be given precedence, for he is the best reciter compared to them. And it is preferred that he should be the best reciter of the Book of Allah among them and the most knowledgeable about the Sunnah and its rulings.
It may be understood from the apparent meaning of the Hadīth that the group concerning the prayer should not be less than three persons. But, what is indicated by the Sunnah is that the group can also consist of two persons, with one of them being the Imām for the other.
The Hadīth shows the merit of he who is the best in reciting the Qur'an, for he is the worthiest of leading the prayer..

673

Abu Mas‘ūd al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The one who should lead the people in prayer is the best reciter of the Book of Allah among them. If they are equal in terms of the recitation, then the one most knowledgeable about the Sunnah among them; if they are equal regarding the Sunnah, then the earliest one among them to have emigrated; if they are equal in terms of emigration, then the earliest one among them to have embraced Islam. No man should lead another man in prayer where the latter has authority or sit in his special place in his house without his permission.” [In another version] "age" is reported in place of "embracing Islam"..

Commentary : Congregational prayer in mosques occupies a high status and brings a great reward. The Shariah regulated this prayer and arranged the rows behind the Imām (prayer leader), so that the worshipers can be in orderliness and mental and physical discipline during the prayer.
In this Hadīth, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) directs the Muslims on how to choose a prayer leader if they are a group of people, stating that the one who should lead the people in prayer is the best reciter of the Book of Allah among them. There is a difference of opinion regarding the meaning intended by "the best reciter". It was said: It means the best of them in recitation and the most knowledgeable about its rulings, even if he is the least among them in terms of memorization. Another view says: It means the best memorizer of the Qur’an among them, for he regarded recitation as the basis for leading people in prayer and gave it precedence over all the other characteristics mentioned along with it. And another view says: It means the most knowledgeable, for if you consider the conditions of the Companions, you will find that the most knowledgeable among them is the best reciter among them. Thus, the Prophet's words, "the best reciter of the Book of Allah among them," mean: the most knowledgeable among them.
If they are equal in terms of the acceptable level of recitation, memorization, and mastery, then it's the most knowledgeable of the Sunnah among them; that is: the one who possesses the best understanding of it and the most knowledgeable about the rulings related to the prayer and the Prophet's Sunnah concerning it. If the Imām is ignorant of the prayer's rulings and what may arise during its performance, like forgetfulness and addition or omission, he will spoil it.
If they are equal in all the foregoing, the earliest one to have emigrated should be given precedence. Emigration means leaving the land of disbelief to the land of Islam. Thus, the one who moves from the land of disbelief to the land of Islam earlier is worthier in leading the prayer than the one who does so later. It was said: He is given precedence either because being earlier in emigration is an honor that entails precedence, or because he who emigrates earlier is usually more knowledgeable than the one who emigrates later. It was said: The emigration associated with the precedence in prayer leadership is not intended to particularly refer to the Hijrah during the Prophet's lifetime, but it is the emigration that does not cease until the Day of Judgment, which is mentioned in a Hadīth narrated by An-Nasā’i: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Hijrah will not cease so long as the disbelievers are being fought." That is, it is enduring until the Day of Judgment.
If they are equal in terms of emigration, then the earliest one among them to have embraced Islam takes precedence. In another version, "age" is reported in place of "accepting Islam". In other words, if they are equal in all the foregoing - in knowledge, recitation, and emigration - and one of them excels the others by virtue of embracing Islam earlier or being older in age, he is given precedence because this is a merit that affords precedence.
Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No man should lead another man in prayer where the latter has authority." This is his place where he alone assumes authority, a place he owns, or a place where he gives judgment. So, the owner of a place is worthier. He can step forward, if he wills, or choose someone else to lead, if he wills. This is his dominion, and he can dispose as he wishes in it. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade that a man should sit in another man's house in his special place - which is reserved for him and intended to honor him, like a mat and so on - unless he is granted permission. This prohibition pertains to sitting in the special place of a man in his house. This is because the place where the head of a household sits is usually the location for certain things not liked to be seen by others, or that it overlooks his entire house or the parts he wants to see; thus, he can follow the conditions of the members of his household and tell them whatever he wants. So, if he gives permission to someone to sit in that place, this indicates that the place is free in terms of all these aspects.
The Hadīth demonstrates the order to be observed in stepping forward to lead people in prayer.
It also indicates that prayer leadership is one of the important things in the religion. Hence, the lawgiver enjoined that it should be undertaken by the most proficient person.
It also states that the head of a household is worthier than others in leading the prayer therein.
It also states that no one should sit in the place reserved for the head of the house without his permission.
It also highlights the superiority of immigrants over others..

679

Khufāf ibn Īmā’ reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) bowed in Rukū‘ and then raised his head and said: "May Allah forgive Ghifār; may Allah make Aslam peaceful; ‘Usayyah disobeyed Allah and His Messenger; O Allah, curse Banu Lihyān and curse Ri‘l and Dhakwān." Then, he fell prostrating. Khufāf said: Invoking a curse upon the disbelievers was permitted because of that..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to draw close to Allah by supplication under every condition. This includes the supplication of Qunūt which he would make during the prayer.
In this Hadīth, Khufāf ibn Īmā’ (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) bowed in Rukū‘ during his prayer, and when he raised his head from Rukū‘ in the last Rak‘ah - as related in the version by Ahmad - and before he went down for prostration, he stood for supplication. Part of what he said in his supplication was to supplicate for the tribe of Ghifār and the tribe of Aslam, two of the Arab tribes. He said about Ghifār: "may Allah forgive Ghifār". He supplicated so that Allah forgives Ghifār for their heinous acts during Jāhiliyyah. About Aslam, he said: "may Allah make Aslam peaceful". He supplicated so that Allah Almighty makes peace with Aslam and does not command war be waged against them. This may also be information that Allah Almighty forgave the tribe of Ghifār and made peace with Aslam and prevented war against them.
About the tribe of ‘Usayyah, he said that they "disobeyed Allah and His Messenger", as they entered a treaty with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). This gives the sense of complaining about them and it entails supplication against them to be disgraced for their disobedience, not supplication for them to disobey.
Then, he supplicated against some neighborhoods in the tribe of Banu Sulaym, saying: "O Allah, curse Banu Lihyān and curse Ri‘l and Dhakwān." This is because they disobeyed Allah Almighty and His Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and acted treacherously towards his noble Companions, killing the reciters whom the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent to them to teach them their religion. Then, when he finished his supplication, he fell prostrating.
Thereafter, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stopped supplicating against them when Allah Almighty revealed the verse that reads: {It is not for you [O Prophet] to decide} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 128] as related in the Two Sahīh Collections. This noble verse was a sign to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) that Allah Almighty might guide those people to Islam.
It was not the habit of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to supplicate against the polytheists in every situation. Rather, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was most merciful and compassionate towards them. But, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would sometimes supplicate against them when their violence and harm increased and grew and at other times he would supplicate for them when no trouble was feared from them and it was hoped they could win their hearts and embrace Islam.
Khufāf (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Invoking curse upon the disbelievers was permitted because of that," i.e., supplication against the disbelievers was adopted and became legitimate because of this act by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his invocation of a curse upon those disbelieving tribes. So, if they attack the Muslims, they should be supplicated against, in line with the Prophet's example.
The Hadīth demonstrates a merit and good characteristic for both Aslam and Ghifār..

680

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We stopped for rest along with the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and did not awake till the sun rose. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Each man should take hold of his mount's head, for this is a place where the devil has visited us." He said: We did accordingly. Then, he asked for water and performed ablution and then offered two prostrations - [In a version] Then, he prayed two prostrations - Then, the Iqāmah for prayer was pronounced and he performed the morning prayer..

Commentary : Prayer is the greatest among the practical pillars of Islam, and it enjoys particular significance in the Shariah. Allah Almighty appointed specific times for its performance, and whoever misses the appointed time should make up for the missed prayer and not leave it.
In this Hadīth, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that they were on a journey with the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and they stopped at a place in the latter part of the night for rest and sleep and did not wake up till the rise of the sun, whose heat awakened them; as in a Hadīth reported by ‘Imrān ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) and narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim. Consequently, they missed the Fajr prayer. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) woke up, he said to his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them): "Each man should take hold of his mount's head" i.e., hold the bridle of his mount and get out of this place; "for this is a place where the devil has visited us." And he caused them to be heedless of the time of prayer in this place, and it is as if he was still around them with this heedlessness. So, by their departure from this place, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) wanted to turn away from the devil. They complied with the Prophet's command and got out of their place, and then they proceeded on the way for a while. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked for water, performed ablution, "and then offered two prostrations". And in a version: "Then, he prayed two prostrations" i.e., he performed two Rak‘ahs, in return for the Sunnah of the Fajr prayer. Then, the Iqāmah was pronounced for the obligatory prayer. "and he performed the morning prayer", which is the Fajr prayer.
The Hadīth mentions making up for the regular supererogatory prayer.
It indicates that the Fajr prayer is also known as the morning prayer.
It also urges avoidance of the places where the devil is present..

681

Abu Qatādah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) addressed us and said: "You will proceed with your journey in the evening and night. Then, you will come to a place of water, Allah Willing, tomorrow." So, the people proceeded without paying any heed to one another. Abu Qatādah said: "As the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) traveled until it was midnight, and I was by his side, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) dozed off and leaned (to one side) of his camel. I went to him and lent him support without waking him up until he sat upright on his riding mount. He went on traveling until a major part of the night was over and he leaned (to one side) of his camel. I supported him without waking him up until he sat upright on his mount. Then, he traveled until it was near dawn. Then, he leaned, but far more than the two earlier leanings, and he was about to fall. So, I went to him and supported him, and he lifted his head and said: 'Who is this?' I said: 'It is Abu Qātadah.' He said: 'How long have you been traveling along with me like this?' I said: 'I have been traveling in this very state since the night.' He said: 'May Allah guard you as you have guarded His Prophet.' Then, he said: 'Do you see that we are out of the sight of the people?' Then, he said: 'Do you see anyone?' I said: 'Here is a rider.' I again said: 'Here is another rider, until we gathered together, and we were seven riders.' The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stepped aside off the road and placed his head and then said: 'Guard our prayers for us.' The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was the first to wake up, and the rays of the sun were falling on his back. We got up startled. He said: 'Ride on.' So, we rode on until the sun had risen. He then dismounted and called for a jug of water which I had with me. There was a little water in it. He performed ablution which was less thorough than his usual ablutions, and some water was left. Then, he said to Abu Qatādah: 'Keep for us your jug of water; it will have a word.' Thereafter, Bilāl made the Adhān (call for prayer), and then the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) observed two Rak‘ahs and then observed the Fajr prayer as he did every day. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) rode on and we rode along with him, and some of us whispered to the others saying: 'What is the expiation for the negligence we committed in our prayers?' Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Is there not in me a role model for you? There is no negligence in sleeping. Negligence is not observing the prayer until the time of the next prayer comes. So, whoever does this should observe the prayer when he becomes aware of it, and on the next day, he should observe the prayer at its prescribed time.' Then, he said: 'What do you think the people would do (at this hour) when they would not find their Prophet with them in the morning. Abu Bakr and ‘Umar said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is behind you, and he does not leave you behind.’ Other people said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is ahead of you.’ So, if they obey Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, they will follow the right path.' We proceeded on until we came up to the people (from whom we had lagged behind), and the sun had considerably risen, and everything became hot, and they said: 'O Messenger of Allah, we are dying, we are thirsty.' Whereupon, he said: 'You will not die (of thirst).' And he then said: 'Bring that small cup of mine.' Then, he asked for the jug of water to be brought to him. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) poured water, and Abu Qatādah gave them water to drink. When the people saw that there was water in the jug, they gathered in crowds around it. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Behave well in your gathering; you will drink to your fill.' They complied. So, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would fill (the cup), and I would serve them until no one was left except me and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He then filled (the cup) with water and said to me: 'Drink it.' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I will not drink until you drink.' He said: 'The server of the people is the last among them to drink.' So, I drank, and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) also drank, and the people came to the place of water quite happy and satiated." ‘Abdullāh ibn Rabāh said: "As I was narrating this Hadīth in the grand mosque, ‘Imrān ibn Husayn said: 'Consider, O young man, how you narrate, for I was one of the riders in that night.' I said: 'So, you must know this Hadīth well.' He said: 'Who are you?' I said: 'I am one of the Ansār.' Thereupon, he said: 'You narrate, for you know your Hadīths better.' I, therefore, narrated it to the people. Then, ‘Imrān said: 'I was also present that night, but I do not know anyone who memorized it the way I memorized it.'".

Commentary : Prayer is the greatest among the practical pillars of Islam, and it enjoys particular significance in Shariah. Allah Almighty appointed specific times for its performance, and whoever misses the appointed time should make up for the missed prayer and not leave it.
In this Hadīth, Abu Qatādah al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) addressed the army which he led, saying: "You will proceed with your journey in the evening." This extends from midday to sunset, the latter part of the daytime, (and night), which means: You will go out on the path of your journey in the evening and proceed with your journey throughout the night. "Then, you will come to a place of water, Allah Willing, tomorrow," i.e., they would reach the water in the morning. His words, Allah Willing, point to the Prophet's compliance with this command of Allah Almighty: {And never say about anything: "I will surely do this tomorrow," without adding: "if Allah wills."} [Surat al-Kahf: 23-24] So, he would say "Allah Willing" in any future matter. When the people heard his words, they proceeded fast with their travel without paying any heed to one another. In other words, they did not pay attention or turn toward one another. Rather, each person was walking alone and not paying heed to the company, caring for himself in pursuing and reaching the water. "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) traveled until it was midnight," i.e., it was the middle of the night and darkness accumulated; or a major part of the night did pass and one-third of it was remaining. Abu Qatādah (may Allah be pleased with him) was by his side. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) started dozing off
- the beginning of sleep - as he moved. He began to lean and almost fell off his mount. Meanwhile, Abu Qatādah (may Allah be pleased with him) would support him to help him sit upright and not fall. He did all that without awakening the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did that a number of times, and this happened when a major part of the night was over. Abu Qatādah (may Allah be pleased with him) kept supporting him so that he would not fall off his riding animal." The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went on traveling, and when it was near dawn, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) leaned so heavily that he almost fell. So, Abu Qatādah (may Allah be pleased with him) came to him and lent him support, like a bolster under him. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got up from his sleep, raised his head, and asked: Who is this one who is helping me? Abu Qatādah replied that it was him. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked him: Since when? Abu Qatādah (may Allah be pleased with him) replied that he kept guarding and supporting him from the first time he slept during that night. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) supplicated that may Allah guard him as he guarded His Messenger. Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked him: "Do you see that we are out of the sight of the people?" In other words, have we delayed and lagged behind them? This is because the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), due to his drowsiness, was not aware of how much he lagged behind the army. This also indicates that no one was with him except Abu Qatādah. It was the Prophet's habit to travel at the rear of the army to show leniency towards the army, carry the weak, and prod those who lag behind. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked him: "Do you see anyone?" Based on that, he wanted to determine whether to move faster with his mount or at the same pace. Abu Qatādah (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: Here is a rider, and here is another rider. This means that they were catching up with the army personnel, one after another. They gathered together until they became seven in number. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) turned away from the road - lest they may be harmed by any vermin moving therein - and headed, along with those with him, for sleep, and he placed his head. The version narrated by Al-Bukhāri pointed out that the Prophet's (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stepping aside was at the request of some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to them: "I fear you may oversleep and fail to perform the prayer." Bilāl said: "I will wake you all up. So, lie down."
Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Guard our prayers for us," i.e., its time. This refers to the Fajr prayer. Do not fail to perform it due to sleep. They felt sleepy and lay down. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) fell into a deep sleep, and they did not wake up for the Fajr prayer. "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was the first to wake up, while the rays of the sun were falling on his back." This indirectly indicates that it was the heat of the sun that awakened him. Abu Qatādah said: "We got up startled." They were startled because they missed the Fajr prayer due to sleep. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered them to ride their mounts before making up for the Fajr prayer. He mentioned in a version narrated by Muslim and reported by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the reason behind their departure from the place before praying is that he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "This is a place where the devil visited us." They proceeded until they went out of that place and kept moving until the sun had risen. In another version narrated by Muslim and reported by ‘Imrān ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him): "until the sun shone brightly", i.e., it went high, and its yellowness or redness disappeared. The intended meaning: The extent to which the sun goes high with which prayer after sunrise ceases to be disliked. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) dismounted and called for a jug of water, which was with Abu Qatādah and contained a little water. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used its water for performing ablution which was less thorough than his usual ablutions, i.e., a moderate ablution, given the shortage of water. He did not perform ablution thoroughly as usual. Or that he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) adopted the one-time approach in its performance and did not pour a lot of water, for he wanted to keep some of it so that his blessing and his miraculous act would appear therein. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to Abu Qatādah: "Keep for us your jug of water" and the water it contains. "It will have a word." i.e., momentous news or a miracle in the future - the blessing that would come to the people.
Then, Bilāl (may Allah be pleased with him) made the Adhān for the missed prayer. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) first performed the two-Rak‘ah Sunnah of the Fajr prayer and then the obligatory Fajr prayer as a missed prayer. His prayer was the same as the prayers he would perform every day at their appointed times, with no difference between his performance of prayer at the appointed time and his performance of it as a missed prayer. After the prayer was over, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) rode his mount, and so did the people, and they went out traveling on their way. But they began to whisper to one another in a low voice, saying: "What is the expiation for our negligence towards our prayers?" They feared the sin and the penalty for that. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) heard their words, seeking to comfort them amid their grief over missing the Fajr prayer, he said: "Is there not in me a role model for you?" In other words, an example to imitate and follow. This seems to indicate that he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) wanted them to understand that their performance of the prayer as a missed prayer is an expiation for missing it. Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There is no negligence in sleeping," and no neglect in missing the prayer because a sleeping person has no choice. Rather, neglect and sin are upon a wakeful person who fails to perform a prayer - intentionally and out of neglect and lethargy - until the time of the next prayer comes. "So, whoever does this" - i.e., he oversleeps and fails to perform a prayer until its time elapses - "should observe the prayer when he becomes aware of it" - i.e., after he wakes up - "and in the next day, he should observe the prayer at its prescribed time." In other words, he should not delay the prayer beyond its usual time. This does not mean that he should perform the missed prayer twice, one time at that moment and another time the next day.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked those present with him: "'What do you think the people have done?" He meant the front part of the army and those who went ahead of them. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was inquiring about their condition since the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) unusually lagged behind them. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) answered his question and informed those with him that Abu Bakr and ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) are saying to the people: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is behind you;" i.e., he is after you and lagging behind you and has not come yet, for he would not "leave you behind, i.e., he would not go ahead of you and leave you behind. They meant to ask the people to wait for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) until he could catch up with them. Some others said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went ahead of us. Thus, they were asking the people to proceed. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "So, if they obey Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, they will follow the right path" because they are right and correct, as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was in the state Abu Bakr and ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) talked about.
Thereafter, Abu Qatādah informed that they reached the front of the army in which Abu Bakr and ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) were, as "the sun had considerably risen" - i.e., the sun went high - "and everything became hot;" i.e., the heat became severe. Everyone was suffering from exhaustion and hardship, saying: "O Messenger of Allah, we are dying" - i.e., from the hot weather - "and thirsty" due to the lack of water. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) reassured them that they will not die. Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Bring that small cup of mine," i.e., untie my luggage, take my small cup out of it, and bring it to me. And he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked for the jug of water which was with Abu Qatādah (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) began to pour water into the jug, while Abu Qatādah (may Allah be pleased with him) was giving them water to drink. When the people saw that a lot of water was coming out of the jug, they gathered in crowds around it to drink and store water from it. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Behave well;" that is, be good in manners and dealing with one another as you drink. He gave them good news that they would all quench their thirst and drink from that water. So, do not act badly by jostling and pushing. They complied with the Prophet's command. So, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) continued to pour water and Abu Qatādah (may Allah be pleased with him) was giving them the water to drink. This continued until none remained but Abu Qatādah and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) poured water and said to Abu Qatādah: 'Drink.' Out of politeness, Abu Qatādah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "O Messenger of Allah, I will not drink until you drink." So, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The one who serves water to people is the last of them to drink." So, Abu Qatādah drank, and the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was the last to drink among the people. This is one of the etiquettes to be observed in drinking water. After that, the people reached the place of water which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told them about when he addressed them on the first day - "quite happy", i.e., restful and in good condition, and "satiated", i.e., having drunk water to their fill.
The Tābi‘i ‘Abdullāh ibn Rabāh mentioned that he was narrating this Hadīth in the grand mosque, i.e. in Basra. So, ‘Imrān ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: "Consider, O young man, how you narrate;" i.e., what Hadīth you are narrating; or about what condition you are narrating, "for I was one of the riders in that night." In other words, pay attention, O young man, and narrate in an accurate way, for I am one of those who witnessed this incident, and I will check what you narrate against what I witnessed. He replied to him: "So, you must know this Hadīth better," since you were one of the riders and witnessed this incident. ‘Imrān ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: "Who are you?" He replied: "I am one of the Ansār," the dwellers of Madīnah. Thereupon, ‘Imrān (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him to narrate, as he praised the Ansār, saying: "You know your Hadīths better." When ‘Abdullāh narrated the Hadīth and finished its narration and it was consistent with ‘Imrān's account, ‘Imrān (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: "I was present that night, but I do not know anyone who has committed it to memory as good as I have done." Thus, he praised him for memorizing the Hadīth so accurately and was amazed at how well he memorized it, even though he did not witness the incident.
In the Hadīth: The one who serves water to people is the last among them to drink.
And in it: Whoever oversleeps and fails to perform a prayer has to make up for the missed prayer.
And in it: The Prophet's miracle in foretelling things of the Unseen, which Allah revealed to him, and in the blessing and increase of the little water.
And in it: Serving virtuous people, especially during travel.
And in it: Demonstrating some of the etiquettes related to taking rest during travel, namely, to avoid the road.
And in it: Supplicating for the one who offers good service, as a reward for his doing good.
And in it: Feeling sad and regretful over missed virtuous deeds, even if no negligence is involved.
And in it: Making up for the missed supererogatory prayer.
And in it: Urging the improvement of manners among people, particularly in situations involving crowdedness and annoyance..

683

Abu Qatādah reported: When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) alighted at night during a journey, he would lie down on his right side, and when he alighted before dawn, he would erect his forearm and place his head on his palm..

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to devote attention to the Prophet's guidance in his deeds, words, and approvals, to follow his example and learn from him. In this Hadīth, Abu Qatādah (may Allah be pleased with him) says that when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went on a journey, he would alight in the first part of the night for sleep and rest, sleep on his right side, and place his head on a pillow or the like, thus giving himself the due share of sleep. And when he wanted to sleep at the latter part of the night, shortly before dawn, he would erect his right 'forearm' and "place his head on his palm," fearing he might be overtaken by sleep and thus fail to perform the Fajr prayer at its earliest time. The right side is favored regarding sleep given the honor of tayāmun (using the right side or starting with it) and its general merit in everything. It was the Prophet's habit to favor the right side, except in repulsive things, in which he would use the left side.
This also indicates that a person should give himself the due share of rest and not forget the worship of his Lord. In the first part of the night, he can get sufficient sleep before dawn and then get up. Yet in the latter part of the night, he should sleep lightly, rather than deeply, lest he may miss the Fajr prayer.
In the Hadīth: Alighting for rest during travel in case of tiredness, while being cautious not to miss the prayer
And in it: Using alarms and the like to alert one to the times of prayers.

686

Ya‘la ibn Umayyah reported: I said to ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb: "{There is no blame on you to shorten the prayer, if you fear that the disbelievers may harm you} [Surat an-Nisā’: 101]. And people have become secure!" He said: "I wondered about the same thing you wondered about, and I asked the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about that, and he said: 'It is a charity that Allah has given you; so accept His charity.'".

Commentary : Travel is a piece of torment, and it is most likely to involve tiredness and hardship. Hence, Allah Almighty alleviates things for travelers and facilitates the Shar‘i rulings for them, especially those related to prayer and fasting.
In this Hadīth, Ya‘la ibn Umayyah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that he asked ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) about the verse that reads: {When you are traveling through the land, there is no blame on you to shorten the prayer, if you fear that the disbelievers may harm you.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 101] It means: If you travel in the land, there is no sin on you in shortening the four-Rak‘ah prayers (the Zhuhr, ‘Asr, and ‘Ishā’ prayers) to two Rak‘ahs - if you fear harm from the disbelievers.
"And people have become secure" now, and their fear, which was the reason behind prescribing the shortening of prayer, is no longer there. So, why do they shorten the prayer? Or what is the objective of shortening if its reason is no longer there? In response, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) informed him that he had the same thought as Ya‘la ibn Umayyah and so he asked the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about shortening the prayer in the absence of its reason - namely the fear from the enemy - and the existence of security, and the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told him that shortening the prayer is a favor from Allah Almighty which He bestowed upon the Muslim Ummah and honored them with; it is a charity Allah has given them, by way of facilitation and mercy. "So, accept His charity," i.e., whether there is fear or not; shortening the prayer is established in case of security as well. Allah's words: That the disbelievers may harm you} refers to what is most likely, for most of the journeys of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions were not fear-free, given the multitude of fighting enemies at the time.
This indicates that the shortening of prayer during travel was prescribed to make things lenient and easy for people, and it does not have the sense of order or obligation for the traveler. Indeed, the Ummah unanimously agreed that a person to whom charity is offered is not obligated to accept it.
In the Hadīth: Shortening the prayer during travel with or without fear
And in it: Demonstrating the mercy of Allah Almighty and His complete favor upon His servants, as He prescribed for Muslims to shorten the prayer during travel given the hardship they suffer..

687

Ibn ‘Abbās reported: "Allah has prescribed the prayer by the tongue of your Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) as four Rak‘ahs when resident, two when traveling, and one in case of fear..

Commentary : Making things easy and light is one of the merits of the tolerant Islamic Shariah. Allah Almighty laid down dispensations for the Muslims therein so that they will not suffer hardship that causes them harm or burdens them with unbearable things. These dispensations include shortening the prayer during travel and at the time of war.
In this Hadīth, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) says: "Allah has prescribed the prayer by the tongue of your Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)" by revelation from Allah Almighty. So, it is "four Rak‘ahs when resident," i.e., the four-Rak‘ah prayers: Zhuhr, ‘Asr, and ‘Ishā’- "two when traveling;" the four-Rak‘ah prayer is shortened to two Rak‘ahs only during travel. And He prescribed "one in case of fear." The prayer of fear is when the time for obligatory prayer becomes due while Muslims are fighting an enemy, guarding borders, and the like. The Hadīth apparently indicates that the prayer of fear consists of one Rak‘ah in case of severe fear and war. It was said: What is meant by one Rak‘ah is that he offers one Rak‘ah with the Imām and one Rak‘ah alone. This is because most reports about the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) state that the prayer of fear consists of two Rak‘ahs, to be performed in different ways depending on the condition of the enemy in terms of nearness and remoteness. There is no effect for the severe fear, but they should perform two Rak‘ahs, according to their ability, in whatever direction they turn to, while walking and riding, nodding with their heads..

Book of Hadith

| Hadiths