Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): Once the Prophet ﷺ sent sheep as Hady.
.

Commentary : Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, has venerated the Sacred House. His Prophet ﷺas well has done likewise. He ﷺhas practically demonstrated as a Sunnah act that when a person himself does not go to the Haram to perform Hajj, then he should send a sacrificial animal to venerate the place and be more accommodative towards the poor of Makkah.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers, ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reports that once the Prophet ﷺsent forth the sheep to the House without assuming the Ihraam for Hajj or ‘Umrah and without anything among the prohibited things of the Ihraam being disallowed for him. The Hady is that animal that is sent to the Sacred House – from the camels, cows, sheep and goats – in order to be sacrificed there as a means of getting closer to Allah and as an act of showing gratitude towards Him.
The purpose of sending the Hady to the Sacred House is to grant abundance and show kindness to the neighbours of the Sacred House and its visitors among the poor and destitute. This is one of the best deeds to getting closer to Allah Almighty. This is because charity and charitable spending are among the best forms of worship, especially, if they are carried out in the Sacred City and upon those who have isolated themselves purely for the worship of Allah therein and those residing in its vicinity.
This hadeeth shows the legality of sending the sacrificial animal to the Haram by who is unable to go to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah..

1702

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): I used to make the garlands for (the Hady of) the Prophet ﷺ and he would garland the sheep (with them) and would stay with his family without assuming the Ihraam.
.

Commentary : Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, has venerated the Sacred House. His Prophet ﷺas well has done likewise. He ﷺhas practically demonstrated as a Sunnah act that when a person himself does not go to the Haram to perform Hajj, then he should send a sacrificial animal to venerate the place and be more accommodative towards the poor of Makkah.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers, ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reports that she used to make garlands for the Prophet ﷺ. Al-Qalaaid (garlands): they are collars that are placed aaround the necks of the sacrificial animals – that is made by interlacing some of its strings with others. The Prophet ﷺwould place these garlands and collars aaround the necks of the sheep as he would place them aaround the necks of other animals such as the camels and cows, and then the Messenger of Allah ﷺwould send them to the Sacred Vicinity (a-Haram), while he would remain with his family in Al-Madeenah without entering into the state of Ihraam. He ﷺwould not make upon himself anything prohibited among the prohibited things of Ihraam such as applying perfume or engaging in sexual intercourse with his wives, or anything prohibited upon the one assuming the state of Ihraam.
This hadeeth shows the legality of garlanding the sheep from the sacrificial animals.
It highlights the legality of sending the sacrificial animal to the Haram by who is unable to go to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah..

1704

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): I twisted (the garlands) for the Hady of the Prophet ﷺ before he entered into the state of Ihraam.
.

Commentary : Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, has venerated the Sacred House. His Prophet ﷺas well has done likewise. He ﷺhas practically demonstrated as a Sunnah act that when a person himself does not go to the Haram to perform Hajj, then he should send a sacrificial animal to venerate the place and be more accommodative towards the poor of Makkah.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers, ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reports that she prepared the garlands for the Hady of the Prophet ﷺ, i.e. she made collars which are placed aaround the necks of the sacrificial animals by interlacing some of the strings with other strings. The word “Hady” is a noun used for the animal that is offered for sacrifice among the camels, cows, sheep, or goats – to the Sacred Vicinity (Al-Haram) in order to be slaughtered there as a means of getting closer to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, and as a way of showing gratitude to Him.
Her statement, “Before he entered into the state of Ihraam,” has the possibility to mean, before the year in which he entered into the state of Ihraam for Hajj; he ﷺsent the sacrificial animal with Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) in the ninth year. It is also possible that she informed in this narration about his state in the year of his entering into his state of Ihraam. That is the tenth year of the Hijrah.
This hadeeth highlights the legality of putting a garland aaround the neck of the sacrificial animal and letting the wife prepare the garlands for the sacrificial animals.
It highlights the legality of sending the sacrificial animal to the Haram by one who is unable to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah and does not travel with it..

1705

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): I twisted the garlands of the Hady from the wool I had.
.

Commentary : Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, has venerated the Sacred House. His Prophet ﷺas well has done likewise. He ﷺhas practically demonstrated as a Sunnah act that when a person himself does not go to the Haram to perform Hajj, then he should send a sacrificial animal to venerate the place and be more accommodative towards the poor of Makkah.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers, ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reports that she prepared the garlands for the Hady of the Prophet ﷺwhich are placed aaround the necks of the sacrificial animals by interlacing some of the strings with others. She explained that the garlands were made of wool, and mostly, the kind of garlands that are placed on a sacrificial animal is coloured, so that they can be more visible as a sign. The word “Hady” is a noun used for the animal that is offered for sacrifice among the camels, cows, sheep, or goats – to the Sacred Vicinity (al-Haram) in order to be slaughtered there as means of getting closer to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, and as a way of showing gratitude to Him.
This hadeeth shows the legality of putting a garland aaround the neck of the sacrificial animal and letting one’s own wife prepare the garlands for the sacrificial animals.
It also points to the legality of making garlands of wool..

1707

Narrated ‘Alee (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah’s Messenger ﷺ ordered me to give in charity the skin and the coverings of the animals [Budan] which I had slaughtered.
.

Commentary : The Messenger of Allah ﷺhas explained the rites of Hajj through his statements and actions. He has taught us that getting closer to Allah through offering the sacrificial animal and other good deeds ought to be offered solely for the sake of Allah, kind-heartedly and good-heartedly, venerating the bounties of Allah upon a Muslim and upon what He has helped fulfil in terms of the rites of Hajj.
In this hadeeth, ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet ﷺcommanded him during the Farewell Hajj - this is the Hajj which the Messenger of Allah ﷺperformed in the tenth year of the Hijrah- to give the drapes and the skins of the sacrificial animals in charity which he has offered and driven to the Haram after they are killed and slaughtered. The purpose of this was to emphasise that a sacrificial animal in its entirety is for Allah and so that the poor as well as the needy benefit from all its parts. The Arabic word “Jilaal” [used in the hadeeth and means covering] is the plural of the word “Jull” and that is what an animal adorns of the drape, garland, and so on. The word “Budan”, which is mentioned in the hadeeth, are the animals that are offered to the Sacred House among the four-legged animals, namely, the camels, cows, or specifically the camels, in other to get closer thereby to Allah.
The reason to evidently mention the coverings and the skins is that sometimes it is presumed that the distribution and handing out are only related to the meats only. Hence, this played as an emphasis that every part that can potentially be of benefit as part of the slaughtered animal will be incorporated in the notion that it is for Allah and that is charitable and that is not specific to meats only.
This hadeeth shows the legality of appointing someone else to carry out all the actions concerning the sacrificial animals such as their slaughtering, the distribution of their meat and so on.
It highlights that one may not benefit from or sell anything which has been taken out for the sake of Allah, even if it is a small part thereof.
It also shows the legality of placing coverings over the backs of the sacrificial animals and thereafter giving them in charity to the poor, just as their skins and meat are given in charity..

1709

Narrated `’Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): “Five days before the end of Thoo al-Qa’daa, we set out from Al-Madeenah in the company of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ with the intention of performing Hajj only. When we approached Makkah, Allah’s Messenger ﷺ ordered those who had no Hady with them to finish their lhraam after performing Tawaaf around the Ka’bah and the ritual walking between Al-Safaa and Al-Marwah.” `’Aaishah added, “On the Day of Nahr (slaughtering of sacrifice) beef was brought to us. I asked, ‘What is this?' The reply was, 'Allah's Messenger ﷺhas slaughtered (sacrifices) on behalf of his wives.'"
.

Commentary : There are three kinds of Hajj. First, the Tamattu’, and that is that the pilgrim assumes the Ihraam of ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj – they are Shawwaal, Thoo al-Qa’dah and Thoo al-Hijjah – and after completing the rites of ‘Umrah he exits his Ihraam. Then, he again enters into the state of Ihraam for Hajj during the same year. Second, the Qiraan, which entails that the pilgrims enter into the state of Ihraam both for Hajj and ‘Umrah. The third is the Ifraad, which means that the pilgrim enters into the state of Ihraam for Hajj only.
In this hadeeth, ‘Aaishah, the Mother of the Believers, reports that the Prophet ﷺleft Al-Madeenah in the tenth year of the Hijrah to perform his Farewell Hajj. There were only five nights left from the month of Thoo al-Qa’dah. When they left Al-Madeenah, they had intended to perform an Ifraad-kind of Hajj and it did not occur in their minds that they could perform ‘Umrah along with it. The reason for that was that the Companions did not know that ‘Umrah can be performed in the months of Hajj, as this was widespread a belief in the time of ignorance before Islam. When they got closer to Makkah, the Prophet ﷺcommanded those who did not have sacrificial animals with them to perform Tamattu’ by performing ‘Umrah first. Accordingly, they first performed the Tawaaf of the Ka’bah then performed the ritual walking between the Safaa and al-Marwah. And lastly, they had a haircut to exit from their Ihraam. Afterwards, they entered the state of Ihraam for Hajj when the rites of Hajj commence on the Day of Tarwiyah, on the eighth of Thoo al-Hijjah.
The Prophet ﷺperformed the Qiraan-type of Hajj by combining the ‘Umrah with the Hajj whilst maintaining the same Ihraam without exiting it; that was because he took the sacrificial animal along with him from Thoo al-Hulayfah. When it was the Day of Nahr (Day of Sacrifice) – the tenth of Thoo al-Hijjah – the cow meat was brought to the wives of the Prophet ﷺ. Thereupon, the Mother of the Believers, ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her), asked about it, and the people informed her that the Prophet ﷺslaughtered the sacrificial animals, namely, cows, on behalf of his wives.
This hadeeth reveals the permissibility of suspending the Ifraad-kind of Hajj and assuming the Tamattu’-type of Hajj and ‘Umrah for the one who has not taken a sacrificial animal along with him.
It shows the legality of appointing an agent for slaughtering the sacrificial animal..

1710

Narrated Naafi’ that `Abdullah (ibn `Umar) used to slaughter (his sacrifice) at the Minhar. ('Ubaydullah, a sub-narrator said, "The Manhar of Allah's Messenger ﷺ.")
.

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were endowed with love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺand keenness to follow his example and footsteps in all his movements and stillness. The staunchest and most keen of all of them was ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).
In this hadeeth, Naafi’, the freed slave of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was so eager to slaughter his sacrificial animal at the place where the Prophet ﷺslaughtered his at Minaa near al-Jamarah as-Sughraa, and that is the first stone pillar next to Masjid al-Khayf situated in Minaa. It is worth noting that Minaa in all its entirety is a place for sacrifice as it is narrated in Saheeh Muslim by Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) who reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺstated, “I have slaughtered here, while the whole of Minaa is a place of sacrifice, hence, sacrifice [the animals] at your dwellings,” however, Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to ascertain the place where the Messenger of Allah ﷺsacrificed and was persistent in slaughtering his sacrifice there too. This was his habit in all places and contexts that had a connection with the Prophet ﷺ. .

1711

Narrated Naafi’: Ibn `Umar used to send his Hady from Jam' (to Mina) in the last part of the night with the pilgrims amongst whom there were free men and slaves, till it was taken into the Manhar (slaughtering place) of the Prophet ﷺ..

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were bestowed with love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and eagerness to follow his example and footsteps in all his movements and stillness. The staunchest and most eager of them all was ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him).
In this hadeeth, Naafi’, the freed slave of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar, reports that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to send his sacrificial animals – these are the four-legged animals among the sheep, goats, camels or cows which are taken to be slaughtered in hajj from “Jam’” - at last part of the night. “Jam’” is the other name for Muzadalifah, which is the name for the place where the pilgrims encamp after pouring out from ‘Arafaat. They spend the night of the tenth of Thoo al-Hijjah there. It is there where the Sacred Monument (Al-Mash’ar al-Haraam) lies, and it is about 12 km away from ‘Arafah. It is next to the monument of Minaa. Al-Muzdalifah is called “Jam’” because the two prayers, Maghrib and ‘Ishaa are combined therein. It was said: It is described as thus because of the action of its dwellers, as they assemble there and turn towards Allah, meaning, they get closer to Allah by halting there.
He (may Allah be pleased with him) would drive the sacrificial animals until they reached the place where the Prophet ﷺsacrificed his animals in Minaa near al-Jamarah as-Sughraa and that is the first stone pillar just after Masjid al-Khayf that is situated in Minaa. Also, it is worth noting that Minaa in all its entirety is a place for sacrifice as it is narrated in Saheeh Muslim by Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺstated, “I have slaughtered here, while the whole of Minaa is a place of sacrifice, hence, sacrifice [the animals] at your dwellings,” however, Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to ascertain the place where the Messenger of Allah ﷺsacrificed and was persistent in slaughtering his sacrifice there too. This was his habit in all places and contexts that had a connection with the Prophet ﷺ.
He (may Allah be pleased with him) would send his sacrificial animals with the pilgrims consisting of free people and slaves. There is no stipulation anywhere about sending the sacrificial animals with free people instead of slaves.
This hadeeth shows the legality for a slave to perform Hajj..

1713

Narrated Ziyaad ibn Jubayr: I saw Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) passing by a man who had made his Badana (sacrificial animal) sit to slaughter it. Ibn `Umar said, "Slaughter it while it is standing with one leg tied up as is the tradition of Muhammad ﷺ."
.

Commentary : The Hajj is the fifth pillar among the pillars of Islam, which the Messenger of Allah ﷺhas explained its rituals both by his statements and actions. The noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), thereafter, transmitted them just as they learned them from the Prophet ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee, Ziyaad ibn Jubayr reports that he saw ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) who happened to pass by a man who had made his badanah sit and lie down – a badanah happens to be specifically from the camels – on the ground at Minaa, in order to slaughter it, Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) instructed him to keep it standing with its left leg ties, then to slaughter it while it is standing. He explained that this is the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. The Nahr (slaughtering by stabbing) of camels consists of stabbing them with a dagger or something of that nature at the cavity between their bottom parts of necks and chests. It is said: the wisdom of specifying the camels with the act of Nahr while they are standing is due to their long necks. This is because if a camel was slaughtered at the area closer to its head, then the blood flowing from the heart to the area of slaughter would be at a greater distance, which would not assist the letting out of all the blood easily, contrary to the act of Nahr at the last part of the neck. It closes the distance and helps the heart with forcing the whole blood out. As for the cows and sheep, the normal slaughtering technique is suitable for them.
This hadeeth highlights that one should teach the ignorant person and avoid remaining silent at seeing an act contradictory to the Sunnah, even if that act may be permissible.
The statement of the Companion, “Part of the Sunnah is doing this in this manner,” takes the ruling of elevating that [act] to the Prophet ﷺ. .

1715

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ offered the Thuhr prayer, four units at Al-Madeenah and two units of `Asr prayer at Thoo al-Hulayfah. [According to another narration: “Then the Prophet ﷺ passed the night there till dawn and then he offered the Fajr prayer and mounted his Mount. And when it arrived at Al-Baydaa', he ﷺassumed Ihraam for both `Umrah and Hajj."
.

Commentary : The Hajj is the fifth pillar among the pillars of Islam. The Messenger of Allah ﷺhas explained the rituals of Hajj both by his statements and actions. The noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), thereafter, transmitted them just as they learned them from the Prophet ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺperformed the four units of the Thuhr prayer while he was in Al-Madeenah on the day he travelled to perform the Farewell Hajj. That was in the tenth year of the Hijrah. He ﷺprayed the full prayer and did not shorten it as he was a resident at that point of time. Then, he ﷺleft and performed two units for the ‘Asr prayer when he reached Thoo al-Hulayfah , i.e. he ﷺshortened the ‘Asr prayer there. Thoo al-Hulayfah is the Meeqaat of the people of Al-Madeenah, which is now known as Aabaar ‘Alee, a well-known location right at the onset of the road of Al-Madeenah that leads one to Makkah. The distance between it and Al-Madeenah is about 13 km, and between it and Makkah is approximately 408 km; it is the farthest of all the boundaries from Makkah.
Then, the Prophet ﷺspent the night at Thoo al-Hulayfah until he performed the Fajr prayer therein. Then, he mounted his she-camel, and when it stood up and halted with him at al-Baydaa’, the Prophet ﷺproclaimed the Ihraam of ‘Umrah and Hajj. He said, “Labbayka, both for the ‘Umrah and Hajj,” as it is mentioned in the narration of Saheeh Muslim. The Baydaa’ is a specific location between Makkah and Al-Madeenah, a place above the two mountains of Thoo al-Hulayfah when ascending from the valley, which is just a mile away from Thoo al-Hulayfah. It is reported in the two Saheeh Books that the Prophet ﷺproclaimed for Hajj after he had performed prayers in the mosque. This entails that the proclamation happened more than once.
This hadeeth shows the legality of shortening the prayers while travelling, and the legality of performing the Qiraan-type of Hajj..

1716

Narrated ‘Alee (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ sent me to supervise the (slaughtering of) Budn (Hady camels) and ordered me to distribute their meat, and then he ordered me to distribute their covering sheets and skins. 'Alee added in another narration, "The Prophet ﷺ ordered me to supervise the slaughtering (of the Budn) and not to give anything (of their bodies) to the butcher as wages for slaughtering."
.

Commentary : The Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺexplained its rituals with his words and actions, and the honourable Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) transmitted them to us as they learned them from him ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet ﷺsent him to oversee the slaughtering of the sacrificial camels and their distribution among the poor and needy. In the narration of Bukhaaree, it reads, “The Prophet ﷺdrove for sacrifice a hundred badanah. In Saheeh Muslim, from the hadeeth of Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him), it is mentioned, “The Prophet slaughtered sixty-three animals with his hands, then, he appointed ‘Alee to take over the responsibility and he slaughtered the rest, meaning, what was left of them, made him is a participant in the sacrificial animals towards the place of slaughter.”
The Arabic word “Budn” is the plural of badanah and it is from the four-legged cattle which is offered and sent to the Sacred House in order to draw closer to Allah Almighty, and it is of camels exclusively, and it was said: “Budn” is used to denote camels and cows.
The Prophet ﷺcommanded him to divide its meat among the needy, so he divided it, then he commanded him to divide its drapes and its skins, so he divided them too. The word “Jilaal” is whatever an animal adorns such as a drape or a garland or something of that like. This is so that nothing of it will come back to him since he gave it for the sake of Allah. He also instructed him not to give the butcher anything of it as a payment for his work on it. Giving the butcher something of it in exchange for what he did and his slaughtering entails being a sale, and it is not permissible to sell any of its meat. However, there is nothing wrong with giving it as a charity, gift, or something above his right.
This hadeeth is that it demonstrates delegating and making someone an agent to carry out the actions pertaining to the sacrificial animals such as slaughtering it and dividing its meat, and so on.
It highlights that it is not allowed to sell what is intended for the sake of Allah Almighty, even if it is a small part of it..

1719

Narrated Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him): 'We never ate the meat of the Budn for more than three days of Minaa. Later, the Prophet ﷺ gave us permission by saying: 'Eat and take (meat) with you. So, we ate (some) and took (some) with us.’" I asked `Ataa', "Did Jaabir say (that they went on eating the meat) till they reached Al-Madeenah?" `Ataa' replied, "No."
.

Commentary : Islamic law has taken the condition of society and its needs into consideration. It has built a coherent Muslim society where all its members act in unity such that whenever a calamity befalls anyone of them, everyone stands shoulder-to-shoulder to assist in removing it from him.
In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that they did not use to eat from the meat of their sacrificial animals above the three days of Minaa, which is known as the Days of Tashreeq, namely the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth of Thoo al-Hijjah. The animals mentioned in the hadeeth refer to the cows and camels which they took with them to the Haram to offer as a sacrifice to draw nearer to Allah. He (may Allah be pleased with him) explained that anytime over this period would be to distribute the meat among the poor, to meet their need and comfort them in their plight and extend a helping hand to them. However, after that, the Prophet ﷺpermitted them to eat from it, and to take from it as a provision in their journey.
The Taabi’ee, ‘Abdul Malik ibn ‘Abd al‘Azeez ibn Jurayj asked ‘Ataa’ ibn Abee Rabaah – the sub-narrator of the hadeeth from Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) -, “Did Jaabir say, ‘Until we came to Al-Madeenah?’” ‘Ataa’ replied, “No.” However, in Saheeh Muslim, it is “Yes” instead of “No.” The reconciliation between these two replies is by taking the fact into account that he had forgotten, thus he said, “No.” Thereafter, he remembered, and he replied, “Yes.” Or the meaning of his statement, “No,” is not the negation of the ruling, rather its meaning is that Jaabir did not elucidate the continuation of this from them until they reached Al-Madeenah. Based on this, the meaning of his statement in one narration will be, “We would take the meat of the sacrificed animals as a provision to Al-Madeenah, , i.e. when heading back to Al-Madeenah, which does not denote that the meat remained with them until they reached Al-Madeenah.
This hadeeth has been used as proof of establishing abrogation within the compendium of the Sunnah. This is an example of an act of Sunnah abrogating the other act of Sunnah. It was said: that this is not an act of abrogation, rather, there was a previous prohibition due to a legal reason, which when the latter disappeared, the ruling of prohibition became inapplicable. The legal reason for prohibiting hoarding initially then allowing it thereafter was the people’s need and a great number of poor. When the legal reason that obligated this ceased, he ﷺcommanded them to eat it and save (hoard). What Muslim has narrated in his Saheeh from ‘Abdullah ibn Waaqid reinforces this understanding, wherein he says, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺprohibited from consuming the meat of sacrificed animals after three days …,” it also contains, “… He ﷺstated, ‘I only prohibited you due to the horde who marched [to here] steadily; now, you may eat, hoard and give it away in charity.” The Arabic word “Daaffah” means a horde of weak Bedouins who came in to receive aid.
This hadeeth shows that a ruling rotates with its legal reason in terms of its existence and inexistence.
It also contains refutation against the one who perceives that it is not allowed to hoard food for the next day and that one who saves anything even if little is not entitled to receive the attribution of the friendship of Allah and that one who hoards has misperceived Allah, the Upholder..

1726

Narrated Naafi’: Ibn ‘Umar said: Allah's Messenger ﷺ got his head shaved after performing his Hajj.
.

Commentary : The Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺexplained its rituals with his words and actions, and the honourable Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) transmitted them to us.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺshaved his hair in the Farewell Hajj, which happened in the tenth year of the Hijrah.
Shaving means removing all the hair on the head completely and it is only allowed for men. It is one of the symbols of Hajj. It is the act by which a person in Ihraam exits from his Ihraam and it happens on the Day of Sacrifice, on the tenth day of Thoo al-Hijjah.
Shortening the hair is performed in lieu of shaving the head for women, as well as all those who do not wish to shave the head among men. Nonetheless, shaving the head is better for the men because it is the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺand because Allah gave it precedence in mention in His Book. He stated, {You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haraam (The Sacred Mosque) in safety with your heads shaved or [hair] shortened.} [Quran 48:27]. This act (shaving the head) is more effective in worship, is more revealing of the devotion and humility and more demonstrates the sincerity of the intention. As for the one who shortens his hair, there is something left upon him by which he beautifies himself, unlike the one who gets his head shaved off. The latter feels that he has left all that for the sake of Allah. It also contains the meaning of complete submission to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.
.

1727

Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "O Allah! Be merciful to those who have their head shaved." The people said, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! And (invoke Allah for) those who get their hair cut short." The Prophet ﷺ said, "O Allah! Be merciful to those who have their heads shaved." The people said, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! And those who get their hair cut short." The Prophet ﷺ said (the third time), "And to those who get their hair cut short."
Al-Layth reported that Naafi` said that the Prophet ﷺ had said once or twice, "O Allah! Be merciful to those who get their heads shaved," and ‘Ubaydallah reported that Naafi’ said: on the fourth time he added, "And to those who have their hair cut short."
.

Commentary : The Messenger of Allah ﷺhas explained the rituals of Hajj with his statements and actions. Thereafter, the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) transmitted them to us in full detail, so that the people are fully and evidently acquainted about their worship.
In this hadeeth, Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet ﷺrepeated the supplication for those who shave their hair off in their rituals of Hajj that Allah bestows His mercy upon them. This happened during the Farewell Hajj in the tenth year of the Hijrah or during the year of al-Hudaibiyah or during both occasions.
The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked him to supplicate for those who shorten their hair just as he supplicates for those who shave their hair. He, thereafter, responded to them by adding [in his supplication], “And also those who shorten their hair,” either during the second, third or fourth time. Shaving the head entails the complete removal of hair on the head, whereas shortening means cutting parts of the hair on the head. This statement is indicative of the legality of both the acts, but however, shaving the head is better than shortening the hair for the men. This is because it is that act of the Messenger of Allah and it is because Allah mentioned it first in His Book. He Almighty stated, {You will surely enter the Sacred Mosque in safety with your heads shaved or [hair] shortened.} [Quran 48:27]. This act [shaving the head] is more effective in terms of worship, is more revealing of the devotion and humility and more demonstrates the truthfulness of the intention. As for the one who shortens his hair, there is something left upon him by which he beautifies himself, unlike the one who gets his head shaved off. The latter feels that he has left all that for the sake of Allah. It also contains the meaning of complete dedication to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.
Shaving the head is prescribed only for men while women are ordered to cut from their hair, so they exit their Ihraam.
The acts of shaving and cutting the hair are from the rites of Hajj with which the pilgrim exits his Ihraam. It takes place after throwing the Jamrah of ‘Aqabah, after slaughtering his Hady, if he had it, and before the Tawaaf of Ifaadah. It takes place in ‘Umarh after completing the ritual walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah.
This hadeeth shows that it is permissible to ask Allah to invoke His mercy upon the living just like it is allowed to do it for the dead..

1729

Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ and some of his Companions got their heads shaved and some others got their hair cut short.
.

Commentary : The Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺexplained its rituals with his words and actions, and the honourable Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) transmitted them to us.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet ﷺand a group of his Companions shaved their heads, while some others shortened their hair and did not shave their heads. This happened in the Farewell Hajj in the tenth year of the Hijrah. This is indicative of the legality of both actions, however, shaving the head is better than shortening the hair for the men. This is because it is the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺand it is because Allah placed first in His Book. He Almighty stated, “You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haraam (The Sacred Mosque) in safety with your heads shaved or [hair] shortened.” [Quran 48:27]. This act [shaving the head] is more effective in terms of worship, is more revealing of the devotion and humility and more demonstrates the truthfulness of the intention. As for the one who shortens his hair, there is something left upon him by which he beautifies himself, unlike the one who gets his head shaved off. The latter feels that he has left all that for the sake of Allah. It also contains the meaning of complete dedication to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.
Shaving the head is prescribed only for men while women are ordered to cut from their hair, so they exit their Ihraam.
The acts of shaving and cutting the hair are from the rites of Hajj with which the pilgrim exits his Ihraam. It takes place after throwing the Jamrah of ‘Aqabah, after slaughtering his Hady, if he had it, and before the Tawaaf of Ifaadah. It takes place in ‘Umarh after completing the ritual walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah..

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

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): Once the Prophet ﷺ sent sheep as Hady.
.

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): I used to make the garlands for (the Hady of) the Prophet ﷺ and he would garland the sheep (with them) and would stay with his family without assuming the Ihraam.
.

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): I twisted (the garlands) for the Hady of the Prophet ﷺ before he entered into the state of Ihraam.
.

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): I twisted the garlands of the Hady from the wool I had.
.

Narrated ‘Alee (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah’s Messenger ﷺ ordered me to give in charity the skin and the coverings of the animals [Budan] which I had slaughtered.
.

Narrated Naafi’ that `Abdullah (ibn `Umar) used to slaughter (his sacrifice) at the Minhar. ('Ubaydullah, a sub-narrator said, "The Manhar of Allah's Messenger ﷺ.")
.

Narrated Naafi’: Ibn `Umar used to send his Hady from Jam' (to Mina) in the last part of the night with the pilgrims amongst whom there were free men and slaves, till it was taken into the Manhar (slaughtering place) of the Prophet ﷺ..

Narrated Ziyaad ibn Jubayr: I saw Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) passing by a man who had made his Badana (sacrificial animal) sit to slaughter it. Ibn `Umar said, "Slaughter it while it is standing with one leg tied up as is the tradition of Muhammad ﷺ."
.

Narrated Naafi’: Ibn ‘Umar said: Allah's Messenger ﷺ got his head shaved after performing his Hajj.
.

Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ and some of his Companions got their heads shaved and some others got their hair cut short.
.

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.".

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.".

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.".

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..

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..

Book of Hadith

| Hadiths

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): Once the Prophet ﷺ sent sheep as Hady. .

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): I used to make the garlands for (the Hady of) the Prophet ﷺ and he would garland the sheep (with them) and would stay with his family without assuming the Ihraam. .

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): I twisted (the garlands) for the Hady of the Prophet ﷺ before he entered into the state of Ihraam. .

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): I twisted the garlands of the Hady from the wool I had. .

Narrated ‘Alee (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah’s Messenger ﷺ ordered me to give in charity the skin and the coverings of the animals [Budan] which I had slaughtered. .

Narrated Naafi’ that `Abdullah (ibn `Umar) used to slaughter (his sacrifice) at the Minhar. ('Ubaydullah, a sub-narrator said, "The Manhar of Allah's Messenger ﷺ.") .

Narrated Naafi’: Ibn `Umar used to send his Hady from Jam' (to Mina) in the last part of the night with the pilgrims amongst whom there were free men and slaves, till it was taken into the Manhar (slaughtering place) of the Prophet ﷺ..

Narrated Ziyaad ibn Jubayr: I saw Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) passing by a man who had made his Badana (sacrificial animal) sit to slaughter it. Ibn `Umar said, "Slaughter it while it is standing with one leg tied up as is the tradition of Muhammad ﷺ." .

Narrated Naafi’: Ibn ‘Umar said: Allah's Messenger ﷺ got his head shaved after performing his Hajj. .

Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ and some of his Companions got their heads shaved and some others got their hair cut short. .

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.".

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.".

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.".

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..

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..

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): Once the Prophet ﷺ sent sheep as Hady.
.

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): I used to make the garlands for (the Hady of) the Prophet ﷺ and he would garland the sheep (with them) and would stay with his family without assuming the Ihraam.
.

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): I twisted (the garlands) for the Hady of the Prophet ﷺ before he entered into the state of Ihraam.
.

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): I twisted the garlands of the Hady from the wool I had.
.

Narrated ‘Alee (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah’s Messenger ﷺ ordered me to give in charity the skin and the coverings of the animals [Budan] which I had slaughtered.
.

Narrated Naafi’ that `Abdullah (ibn `Umar) used to slaughter (his sacrifice) at the Minhar. ('Ubaydullah, a sub-narrator said, "The Manhar of Allah's Messenger ﷺ.")
.

Narrated Ziyaad ibn Jubayr: I saw Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) passing by a man who had made his Badana (sacrificial animal) sit to slaughter it. Ibn `Umar said, "Slaughter it while it is standing with one leg tied up as is the tradition of Muhammad ﷺ."
.

Narrated Naafi’: Ibn ‘Umar said: Allah's Messenger ﷺ got his head shaved after performing his Hajj.
.

Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ and some of his Companions got their heads shaved and some others got their hair cut short.
.