Anas ibn Seereen reported: “We set out to receive Anas ibn Maalik when he returned from Shaam at a place known as 'Ayn-al-Tamr. I saw him praying on the back of his donkey with his face turned in that direction. (Hammam one of the narrators) pointed towards the left of Qiblah, so I said to him: I saw you praying while you are towards the side other than that of Qiblah. Upon this he said: Had I not seen the Messenger of Allah ﷺ doing like this, I would not have done so at all..

Commentary : The Companion’s (may Allah be pleased with them) eagerness towards following the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺwas remarkable; thus, none of them would do an action or deed if the Prophet ﷺ had not done it or encouraged it; especially the prayer whose actions are fixed, and the Prophet ﷺ stipulated them by his words and actions.

In this hadeeth, the taabiʿee, Anas ibn Seereen reports that they had [set out] to receive Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him), who was returning from the region of Shaam; and they met him near ʿAyn al-Tamr - which is a town to the west in the governorate of Anbaar, [which is] the biggest of the governorates in Iraq.

When they saw him, he was praying while he atop of a donkey; and he was facing towards the left of the Qiblah, and not in the direction of the Qiblah [itself]. Upon seeing this, Anas ibn Seereen asked him in a state of awe: ‘I saw you performing the prayer facing in a direction other than the Qiblah?!’ Then, Anas ibn Maalik responded to him by saying: ‘If I had not seen the Messenger of Allah ﷺ praying on top of his mount towards [a direction] other than the Qiblah, I would not have done so. Rather, the Prophet ﷺ would do that for the supererogatory and sunnah - and not for the obligatory prayers; like what is established in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, on the authority of Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them).

Some of the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is knowing the permissibility of performing supererogatory prayers on [any] means of transportation, even if we are [facing in] a direction other than that of the Qiblah.

This narration also elucidates the ease that we have in our acts of worship, especially when it comes to the prayer.
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1101

Narrated Hafs ibn `Asim: Ibn `Umar went on a journey and said, "I accompanied the Prophet ﷺ and he did not offer optional prayers during the journey, and Allah says: {Verily! In Allah's Messenger ﷺ you have a good example to follow.'} (Quran 33.21).

Commentary : The ease and removal of difficulty are some of the characteristics of Islam. The greater the hardship [appears], the greater the alleviation is [in actuality], and the burden is removed. Therefore, Allah, The Mighty and Majestic prescribed the dispensation of shortening the prayers which contain four units while traveling; and the Prophet ﷺ left out the sunnah prayers that are tied and performed either before or after the five obligatory ones while traveling - thus confirming the alleviation [discussed above].

In this hadeeth, the taabiʿee :Hafs ibn ʿAsim ibn ʿUmar ibn al-al-Khaṭṭaab reports that ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) had travelled with his companions, and said: ‘I travelled with the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions during their journey, and I did not see him perform the sunnah prayers that are tied and performed either before or after the five obligatory ones - while traveling.’ Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) said this – as documented in Saheeh Muslim - when he saw some of his companions performing supererogatory prayers after Dhuhr while traveling.

Then, ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: ‘Allah, The Mighty and Majestic says: {Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah, you have an excellent example.}- and he recited [the word in the aforementioned ayah]: iswah (example) in Arabic is pronounced with a kasrah[at the beginning of the word], and this is the qiraa’ah [i.e. mode of recitation] of the ten [verified] reciters, except for ʿAsim; he recited it with a dammah : [as] uswah. The meaning here an instruction to follow the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, for it is the perfect example in everything, thus, follow his way and act in accordance with his traditions.

The Prophet ﷺdid not offer the sunnah prayers that are tied and performed either before or after the five obligatory prayersfor all of the prayers while traveling, except the two-unit prayerof Fajr. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not leave them on his travels, and even made them up when he had slept until the sun rose upon him and his Companions during one of his travels; as per the report mentioned in Saheeh Muslim, from a hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah(may Allah be pleased with him). As for the Witr prayer, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would perform the Witr prayer atop [his] camel while traveling – as mentioned in Saheehal-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, from a hadeeth narrated byʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (may Allah have pleased with them).

This hadeeth shows the keen eagerness of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to emulate and follow the example of the Prophet ﷺ.
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1102

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: I accompanied God's Messenger, and he prayed two units and nothing more while on a journey. I also accompanied Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Uthman, and they did the same.".

Commentary : Since Islam is a magnanimous religion that embraces tolerance, it is not isolated from alleviating and making ease for the people over matters of the religion and world. One of the many examples of its easiness and accommodation is the dispensation; [which] is a gift from Allah, The Mighty and Majestic - for the purpose of facilitating the performance of the obligatory that Allah has made incumbent upon His servants.

In this hadeeth, ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) reports that he had accompanied the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. During his time in his company, he observed that he ﷺ would offer no more than a two-units prayer on the journey. That is to say, heﷺ would shorten the prayers that consist of four units- [which are] Dhuhr, ʿAsr, and ʿIshaa’ - and perform a two-unit prayer [instead]. As for Maghrib, he would perform it like it [always] is done: three units; and did not perform the sunnah prayers that are tied and performed either before or after the five obligatory prayers. Likewise, so did: Abu Bakr, ʿUmar, and ʿUthmaan(may Allah be pleased with them) - each during the time of their caliphate - [all] following the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ while shortening the prayers during [their] travels - and did no more than that.

In a narration in Saheehal-Bukhaaree and SaheehMuslim, Ibn ʿUmar mentioned [the following] about ʿUthmaan(may Allah be pleased with them): ‘[that] he prayed two unitsat the beginning of his caliphate, then performed the full prayers of four prayer units later.’ It has been said that: perhaps Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with f them) intended in this narration [that it was] the rest of ʿUthmaan’s travels (may Allah be pleased with him), other than at Minaa, because he completed the prayers with four prayer units in their entirety at Minaa. And it has [also] been said that: he completed the prayers in their entirety if he was lodgingat a place, and if he was traveling, he would shorten them.

Excluded from this generalisation are the two-units prayer that precedes Fajr. The Messenger of Allah ﷺdid not leave them during his travels and would even make them up when they had slept until the sun rose upon them during one of his travels; like what is mentioned in Saheeh Muslim, from a hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah(may Allah be pleased with him). As well as the Witr prayer, [where] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would perform the Witr prayer atop [his] camel while traveling - like what is mentioned in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and SaheehMusim, from a hadeeth narrated byʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (May Allah have pleased with them).

From the benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is the eagerness of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to emulate the Prophet ﷺ.
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1105

Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) related that Allah's Messenger ﷺ used to perform supererogatory prayers on the back of his mount by head nodding facing any direction." Ibn `Umar used to do the same..

Commentary : The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ were always eager to follow his guidance and way, especially with regards to the prayer, as it is fixed in its description and the manner in which it is performed.

This hadeeth elucidates on the permissibility of performing voluntary prayers on top of one’s riding animal (vehicle), excluding the obligatory prayers. Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform the sunnah and supererogatory prayers- on the back of his ride - which is the camel that he would ride during his travels, and in other instances [as well] - however it was facing. It was not necessary to turn towards the Qiblah. On the contrary, the Qiblah [in this situation] is wherever his riding camel is walking towards. Excluded from that ruling is if one is traveling via a means of transportation where they can turn towards the Qiblah during the journey without much difficulty, like a ship for example. So [in this instance] it would be necessary for him to turn towards the Qiblah.

Ibn ʿUmar described how the Messenger of Allah’s ﷺ bowed and prostratedwhile he was on top of the animal: that he would motion with his head [to perform the bowing and prostration], meaning: lowering it a bit for when the bowing[occurs in the prayer], and he would perform the prostrationlower [than the one done for the bowing] - and it is [done to a] lesser [extent] than the form of the complete prostration.

Then, Saalim ibn ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar reported that his father (may Allah be pleased with him) would perform voluntary prayers atop his riding animal, emulating the Prophet ﷺ.

As for the narration in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree where Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) reports: “I accompanied the Prophet ﷺ and I did not see him perform any supererogatory prayers while traveling.” It refers to the sunnah prayers that are tied and performed either before or after the five obligatory ones. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would not adhere to performing while traveling - excluding the two-units sunnah prayer performed before Fajr, and the Witr prayer.

This narration also elucidates the ease that we have in our acts of worship, especially when it comes to the prayer.
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1106

It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that if the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was in a hurry to travel, he would combine Maghrib and 'Ishaa'..

Commentary : Combining two prayers while traveling is one of the dispensations which Allah has permitted for His believing servants - to grant ease for them and remove any difficulty that may be caused by the incumbency of performing every obligatory prayer within its time.

In this hadeeth, ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would join Maghrib and ʿIshaa’ if the trip was important, and he wanted to hasten the journey. The Prophet ﷺpermitted for the traveller to combine Dhuhr and ʿAsr, and Maghrib and ʿIshaa’ [together] at the time of either of them; and to do the accompanying prayer with it – as mentioned in [the following] hadeeth narrated by Muslim, on the authority of Muʿaadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ joined the Dhuhr and ʿAsr prayers, as well as Maghrib and ʿIshaa’ during the expedition of Tabuk.”

There are two ways to join between two consecutive prayers, depending on what is easier [at the time and situation at hand:

First - Combining by bringing the [second] prayer forward: It is to perform the ʿAsr prayer with Dhuhr, during the time of afternoon prayer (Dhuhr); and ʿIshaa’ with Maghrib during the time for the sunset prayer (Maghrib).

Second - Combining by delaying the [first] prayer: It is to perform the Dhuhr prayer with ʿAsr, during the time of the mid-afternoon prayer (ʿAsr); and Maghrib with ʿIshaa’, during the time for the night prayer (ʿIshaa’).

This is all with shortening the prayers that consist of four units to two while traveling. So, the prayer is shortened and combined, while Maghrib is not shortened, and Fajr is performed separately, and is not joined with any of the others. Likewise, there is no joining between ʿAsr and Maghrib. Whoever combines two prayers, it is necessary for him to not have a long period of time separating the performance of the two prayers, respectively. If there is a long separation between the two, he does not join them, and must pray the [second] prayer during its own time.

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is noting the easiness that the Islamic Law makes for Muslims in their acts of worship..

1108

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him): “Allah's Messenger ﷺ used to combine the Maghrib and the `Ishaa' while travelling.” Alee ibn al-Mubaarak and Harb narrated it too from Yahya from Hafs from Anas..

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ taught us to take the dispensations which Allah has granted us, including the combining and shortening of the prayers while traveling.

In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to join the Maghrib and ʿIshaa’ prayers while traveling; so he ﷺ would perform one of the prayers subsequently after the other, with an iqaamahseparating the two prayers.

There are two ways to join between two consecutive prayers, depending on what is easier [at the time and situation at hand:

First - Combining by bringing the [second] prayer forward: It is to perform the ʿAsr prayer with Dhuhr, during the time of afternoon prayer (Dhuhr); and ʿIshaa’ with Maghrib during the time for the sunset prayer (Maghrib).

Second - Combining by delaying the [first] prayer: It is to perform the Dhuhr prayer with ʿAsr, during the time of the mid-afternoon prayer (ʿAsr); and Maghrib with ʿIshaa’, during the time for the night prayer (ʿIshaa’).

This is all with shortening the prayers that consist of four units to two while traveling. So, the prayer is shortened and combined, while Maghrib is not shortened, and Fajr is performed separately, and is not joined with any of the others. Likewise, there is no joining between ʿAsr and Maghrib. Whoever combines two prayers, it is necessary for him to not have a long period of time separating the performance of the two prayers, respectively. If there is a long separation between the two, he does not join them, and must pray the [second] prayer during its own time.

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is noting the easiness that the Islamic Law makes for Muslims in their acts of worship..

1111

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him): “Allah's Messenger ﷺ would delay the Dhuhr prayer till the time of the 'Asr prayer, and then alight and combine the two prayers, if he wanted to travel before the sun reached its zenith. However, if the sun reached its zenith before he ﷺ moved off, he ﷺ would offer the Dhuhr prayer and then travel.”.

Commentary : Facilitation and easiness are obvious and evident in the Islamic law. Not only is Islam the final religion that Allah has sent for the good of humanity, but also considers the different abilities and natures of human beings; and one of the forms of this easiness is the permissibility of joining the prayers while traveling.

In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that whenever the Prophet ﷺ departed his place, i.e., when he began traveling, or he ﷺ intended to depart during the journey before “the sun reached its zenith” - which is when the sun begins to descend from its apogee in the sky, moving westward, meaning: before the time of Dhuhr began – he ﷺ would delay the Dhuhr prayer until the time for the ‘Asr prayer had entered. Then, he would combine the Dhuhr and ʿAsr prayers during the time for the ‘Asr prayer.

As for Anas’ statement: “[The sun] had begun its decline from its zenith” - meaning: the time for Dhuhr had entered; and he ﷺ performed Dhuhr, then he climbed atop his mount [and continued on the journey]. The apparent meaning of the narration [at this point] indicates that the Prophet ﷺ did not combine the prayer with ʿAsr. However, in a hadeeth narrated by Abu Daawood, on the authority of Muʿaadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him), he reports: “If he departed after the sun began to decline from its zenith, he would combine Dhuhr and ʿAsr, and then resume traveling.”.

There are two ways to join between two consecutive prayers, depending on what is easier [at the time and situation at hand:

First - Combining by bringing the [second] prayer forward: It is to perform the ʿAsr prayer with Dhuhr, during the time of afternoon prayer (Dhuhr); and ʿIshaa’ with Maghrib during the time for the sunset prayer (Maghrib).

Second - Combining by delaying the [first] prayer: It is to perform the Dhuhr prayer with ʿAsr, during the time of the mid-afternoon prayer (ʿAsr); and Maghrib with ʿIshaa’, during the time for the night prayer (ʿIshaa’).

This is all with shortening the prayers that consist of four units to two while traveling. So, the prayer is shortened and combined, while Maghrib is not shortened, and Fajr is performed separately, and is not joined with any of the others. Likewise, there is no joining between ʿAsr and Maghrib. Whoever combines two prayers, it is necessary for him to not have a long period of time separating the performance of the two prayers, respectively. If there is a long separation between the two, he does not join them, and must pray the [second] prayer during its own time.
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1116

Narrated ʿImraanibn Husayn(may Allah be pleased with him): “I asked The Prophet ﷺ about the prayer of a man who performs it while sitting, [but has the ability to stand], so he answered: “The prayer of who prays standing is better; and the reward of who prays sitting is half of that of the one who stands in prayer. The reward of the one who prays while laying down is half of that of the one who prays sitting.”.

Commentary : Standing for those with the ability to do so is one of the pillars of the obligatory prayers. As for the supererogatory prayers, standing is not one of its pillars. It is permissible for the Muslim to perform the supererogatory prayer while sitting, however a person will have a reward commensurate with his hardship [one is enduring when doing so]. Whoever performs any voluntary prayers sitting [while] capable of standing, will have less reward [for doing so] than for the one who prays standing - like what is expounded on in this hadeeth, [when] ʿImraanibn Husayn(may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet ﷺ about the prayer of a man who performs the sunnahand supererogatory prayers while sitting, [but] can stand.

The Prophet ﷺ explained to him that whoever prays standing is better; because standing is more demanding - thus it is greater in reward, and that whoever prays while sitting, his reward is half of that of the one who stands in prayer.

Whoever prays while laying down - meaning being situated on their side on the ground [or other surface] - then their reward is half of that of the one who prays while sitting. This ruling is applicable to the one who is able to perform the prayer while standing, but still choose to pray sitting down or by laying on his side. In this case, he will decrease his reward by doing so. As for the one incapable of standing, it suffices him to sit or lay on their side [while praying] - and their reward is complete [with no decrease].

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is noting the easiness that the Islamic Law makes for Muslims in their acts of worship, and the preference of standing over sitting when performing any supererogatory prayers; and [likewise] the preference of sitting over laying down - if one is capable of doing so.
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1340

Narrated Ibn `Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him):The Prophetﷺ offered the funeral prayer of a man one night after he was buried, he and his Companions stood up (for the prayer). He had asked them about him before standing, saying, "Who is this?" They said, "He is so and so and was buried last night." So, all of them offered the funeral prayer..

Commentary : The Prophetﷺwas always eager to convey the good to his Companions and heﷺ would follow and advise them; and continued to wish for them to have guidance and goodness.

In this hadeeth, ʿAbdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reports that the Prophet ﷺ offered the funeral prayer for a man after he was buried the night before because he did not know about his passing until after he was buried. He ﷺ asked about the man, and said: “Who is this?” And they responded: “He is so-and-so who was buried last night. After, he ﷺ stood up, while his Companions lined up behind him, then they prayed over him after he was buried.

It has been narrated by al-Bukhaaree, on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with both of them) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed by a grave which was buried at night. He ﷺ asked: “When was this buried?” And they said: “Last night.” To which, he ﷺ said: “And you did not inform me?!”, that is to say: And you did not let me know? And that was because he ﷺprays for the deceased as a mercy, as it is proven in the authentic hadeeth as well. They said: “We buried himin the depths of the night because we dislike waking you up. Then, he ﷺ stood up and we lined up behind him. Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “I was among them.” Then he ﷺ performed the funeral prayer over him. Ibn ‘Abbaas was young at the time, and [the fact that] he prayed with them is an indication of the training the youth had in the precepts of the Sacred Law and being present with the congregations [for communal events]; so that they may become familiar with it and become a habit for them when it becomes necessary for them to implement it.

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is it highlights that the Prophetﷺtook good care of his Companions even after their death.

It shows the permissibility of offering the funeral prayer over the deceased after they have been buried, as well as performing it near a grave.

And lastly, it demonstrates that it is permissible to bury the dead at night.
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1341

Narrated ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): When the Prophet ﷺ became ill, some of his wives talked about a church which they had seen in Abyssinia, and it was called Maariyah. Um Salmah and Um Habeebah (may Allah be pleased with them) had been to Abyssinia, and both of them narrated its (the Church's) beauty and the pictures it contained. The Prophet ﷺ raised his head and said, "Those are the people who, whenever a pious man dies amongst them, make a place of worship at his grave and then they make those pictures in it. Those are the worst creatures in the Sight of Allah..

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ had ordered some of his Companions to migrate to Abyssinia; fleeing [from the oppression of Quraysh] due to their religion while spreading the call of truth [i.e., the Message of Islam]; because the King of Abyssinia, al-Najaashee, was a just man. Umm Salamah and Umm Habeebah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) were among those who had migrated to that region.

In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers, ʿA’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) expounds on what some of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ had witnessed there. The instruction of the Prophet ﷺ to immigrate to that land was so that the honor of Islam is protected. She reports that when the Prophet ﷺ was ill and became sick with the disease which he ﷺ would eventually die from, some of the women spoke about a a church, - which is a place of worship for the Christians - that they had seen in Abyssinia. It was called Maariyah; which is a name attributed to Lady Maryam (peace be upon her) and known name for the church.

Umm Salamah and Umm Habeebah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) spoke about what they had seen of its beauty, and the pictures it contained. Then he ﷺ rose his head and said: ‘Those are the people who, if a righteous man dies among them, will build a place of worship at his grave. Then, they will draw pictures of those who have passed away [and display them] there.’ Rather, they depicted the righteous for the purpose of becoming familiar with them. They mentioned their righteous deeds so that they can strive as they have strived, and they worshipped Allah near their graves. Then, a group of people who came after them were ignorant of what they had intended [by doing the aforementioned actions]. The Shaytan whispered [to them, stating] that their predecessors used to worship these images. So, the Prophet ﷺ warned of things like that, to block the pretext which leads to associating partners with Allah (polytheism). Then he ﷺ relates that those who do this are the worst of creation according to Allah, The Almighty due to what they have done; because it leads to the greatest sin - which is associating partners with Allah, The Almighty.

From the benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights the prohibition against having pictures [of living creatures] in places of worship.

It shows the proscription against building mosques over the graves of the deceased.

It entails the permissibility of relating the wonders and unusual events and matters that one has witnessed.

And lastly, it condemns the one who engages in that which is forbidden.
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1343

Narrated Jaabir ibn ‘Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺcollected every two martyrs of Uhud in one piece of cloth, then he would ask, "Which of them had (knew) more of the Quran?" When one of them was pointed out for him, heﷺ would put that one first in the grave and say, "I will be a witness on these on the Day of Resurrection." And then he ﷺwould order them to be buried with their blood on their bodies and they were neither washed nor was a funeral prayer offered for them..

Commentary : The Battle of Uhud - which is one of the well-known mountains of al-Madeenah - occurred in the third year after Hijrah and during which very significant events occurred. It was a great test from Allah, The Almighty for His Prophetﷺand the believers.

This hadeeth elaborates on some of the events that happened during the battle, along with some of their legal rulings; as Jaabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reports that when the Prophet ﷺ wanted to shroud those Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) who were martyred in the Battle of Uhud, there was not enough clothes to shroud every one of them in a garment which covered their entire body. He ﷺ would jointwo men in one garment; and this was due to the large number of casualties, and the paucity of garments [available] to shroud them in. To overcome this issue, he ﷺ cut the garments and divided it amongst them. After, they remained in their clothes which they were killed in and were not to be stripped and have their skin touched. It is also possible that what is meant here is that he ﷺ gathered the two of them in one grave.

There are several narrations in which the Prophet ﷺ said that the martyrs to be shrouded in the garments which they were killed in, as it is related by Ahmad in a report that ʿAbdullah ibn Thaʿlabah ibn Suʿayr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said on the Day of Uhud: “Wrap them in their garments.” The reconciliation between the two hadeeths is that whoever is stripped off by the enemy or has been repeatedly stabbed such that his clothes have been cut off, causing some of his body be exposed, then he should be shrouded. As for the martyrs whose clothes remained intact on their bodies, they should be buried with them without being shrouded.

Heﷺwould ask about who was the greatest of them in [their knowledge of] the Quran, so when one of them was pointed out to him, he could put him first into the lahd, which is an opening that is made on the side of the grave, and it is [dug at] an incline from the middle of the grave to its side so that the dead can accommodated and placed into it. And then broken up pieces of clay [are laid down to] cover up the deceased.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered for them to be buried in their blood, and they were not washed, nor prayed over. He ﷺ said: “I will be a witness for these [martyrs] on the Day of Resurrection.” He ﷺ will be an intercessor for these people, and a witness to testify that they fulfilled what they promised Allah due to their faith and struggle for His sake and being obedient to Him and His Messenger ﷺ till they died for it.

It has been mentioned in other hadeeths that the Prophet ﷺ offered the funeral prayer for all of the martyrs of Uhud, as what is related in Saheehal-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, where ʿUqbah ibn ʿAamir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ went out one day, and prayed over the people of Uhud, [like] he would for the dead.” The reconciliation between these two hadeeth is: that his prayer was to indicate that offering the funeral prayers over them is permissible. It has been said that this occurrence was specifically for the martyrs of Uhud, and not a general ruling that is applicable to other cases. It has been established that he ﷺ did not pray over the martyrs who were killed in the battle according to the hadeeth of Jaabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them). Also, the funeral prayer over the dead is an act of intercession for him, and only sinners can be interceded for. The martyrs have all their sins forgiven due to martyrdom, and thus they all come to the Honor, Mercy, and Paradise of Allah. So, their status is too high for them to be prayed over as one would pray over the rest of the deceased Muslims.

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it shows the apparent virtue for the one who recites the Quran, and the people of fiqh (jurisprudence), zuhd(asceticism), and all other virtue follow him.

It highlights the merits and virtues for the martyrs of Uhud, and it shows the state of poverty that the Honorable Companions [endured], and the steadfastness they exhibited in spite of that, out of a desire to spread the call of Islam.

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1344

Narrated ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ once came out and offered the funeral prayer for the martyrs of Uhud, and proceeded to the pulpit and said, "I will precede you, and I will bea witness for you, and I am really looking at my Lake now, and no doubt, I have been given the keys of the treasures of the world. By Allah, I am not afraid that you will worship others along with Allah, but I am afraid that you will envy and fight one another for worldly fortunes.".

Commentary : The Messenger of Allahﷺcame to the people with guidance and the religion of truth as a herald and warner, calling to whom Allah chooses, and a radiant lamp. His Lord provided himﷺ with splendid miracles and clear signs which affirm his truthfulness. He ﷺwas benevolent and merciful to the believers.

In this hadeeth, ʿUqbah ibn ʿAamir (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophetﷺwent out one day and offered the funeral prayer for the people of Uhud, like what he performed for others who have died. And what is meant by them [i.e., the people of Uhud] are the martyrs from the Battle of Uhud, which occurred during the month of Shawwaal in the third year after Hijrah. Uhud is one of the well-known mountains of al-Madeenah. According to Abu Dawood, this was after “eight years [had passed] like a man who bids farewell to the living and dead.”

Then, heﷺwent to his pulpit, ascended it, and addressed the people, saying: ‘I will precede you”: that is to say: ‘I will precede you and be the first to arrive at the Lake (al-hawḍ) on the Day of Resurrection’

“And I will be a witness for you”, what is meant by this is that he I will precede you will bear witness over our deeds, and it is not restricted to martyrdom during battles alone. The attestation of the Prophet ﷺ includes every Muslim - the first and last; so, it's as if he ﷺ remains with all Muslims and did not precede them. Rather, he ﷺ remains after them until he bears witness to the deeds of the last of the believers - for, he ﷺ isupholding their affair in the two abodes [i.e., in this world and the Hereafter] in his life and death.

Then heﷺsaid: “I have been given the keys to the earth’s treasures - or the keys to the earth” - by this, heﷺreferred to the expansion of the Islamic empire, its many conquests, and the outpouring of wealth to it; because whoever conquers a land, it is as if he obtains the keys to its treasures and acquires its riches and wealth.

Then, he ﷺtold the people that he did not fear that they would associate partners with Allah after him. However, heﷺdid fear that the competition for wealth and status would cause them to quarrel amongst themselves, which will lead them to enmity, hatred, and fighting with one another over the world and its blessings - and will a cause of their death and weakness. This is a warning of what is going to occur and what has happened as what The Messenger of Allahﷺrelated; because this world was opened up after him and granted [to its inhabitants], [but] envy, strife, and other matters are known to confirm the truthfulness of his ﷺreport.

His prayer over the dead addressed in this hadeeth could imply that praying for them is permissible. It was said: this occurrence was specifically for the martyrs of Uhud, and not in general. It has been established that he ﷺ didn’t pray over the martyr who was killed in the battle because of what is reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, where Jaabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) narrates [that he ﷺ ] “ordered for them to be buried with their blood [on their bodies], and were not washed, nor prayed over.” Also, the prayer over the dead is an act of intercession for him, and only sinners can be interceded for. The martyrs have their sins forgiven, and they all come to the Honor, Mercy, and Paradise of Allah. So, their status is too high for them to be prayed over as one would pray over the rest of the deceased Muslims.

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it warns against advancing in the world, along with its trials, and dangers.

It mentions an apparent sign that testifies to the truthfulness of hisProphethood.

It confirms the Lakeof the Prophetﷺ,which he will be at on the Day of Resurrection.

And lastly, it highlights that heﷺ did not fear that his nation would commit polytheism, but rather he ﷺfeared that they would quarrel among themselves, and what forms of envy and miserliness would come as a result.
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1346

Narrated Jaabir ibn ‘Abdllah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said: burry them [i.e., the martyers] as they are with their blood on – on the Day of Uhud. And he ﷺ did not wash them..

Commentary : Martyrdom for the sake of Allah has a great standing in Islam. The martyr has several merits; and martyrs who have died in battle have some special legal rulings.

In this hadeeth, some of them are explained, as Jaabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reports that the Prophet ﷺ ordered that the martyrs be buried in their garments with their blood [on them] and did not wash them; in order to preserve the sign of martyrdom on them. The traces of the battle and the blood that occurred therein remained on them. This happened in the Battle of Uhud - which is one of the well-known mountains of al-Madeenah - and that battle happened during the month of Shawwaal in the third year after Hijrah.

It can be inferred from this hadeeth that the martyr is not washed, and that their blood is pure while it remains on them; because if it was considered impure, heﷺwould have ordered that it be removed from the body of the dead before burying them.
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1350

Narrated Jaabir ibn ‘Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ came to `Abdullah ibn Ubay (a hypocrite) after his death and he has been laid in his grave. He ﷺ ordered that he be taken out of the grave, and he was taken out. Then he ﷺ placed him on his knees and threw some of his saliva on him and clothed him in his (the Prophet's) own garment (Qamees). Allah knows better why he did so. `Abdullah bin Ubai had given his garment to al-Abbaas to wear. Abu Haroon said, "Allah's Messenger ﷺ at that time had two shirts and the son of `Abdullah bin Ubai said to him, 'O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! Clothe my father in your shirt which has been in contact with your skin.' Sufyaan added, "Thus people think that the Prophet ﷺ clothed `Abdullah bin Tubal in his shirt in lieu of what he (Abdullah) had done (for Al `Abbaas, the Prophet's uncle.)".

Commentary : ʿAbdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salool was the chief of the hypocrites in al-Madeenah, and he would harborenmity against the Prophetﷺand the Muslims. However, that did not prevent the Prophetﷺfrom rewarding him for some matters.

In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased withboth of them) reports that the Prophet ﷺordered for ʿAbdullah ibn Ubayy, after he had been buried, to be exhumed from his grave. Then heﷺ sat him up on his two knees, dressed him in one of his ﷺgarments, and blew some of his saliva on him.

Jaabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) then says: ‘Allah knows best as to why the Messenger of Allahﷺ had dressed him in his garment. So, either, he ﷺ did that because Ibn Salool was a hypocrite who had clothed al-Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) - who was the paternal uncle of the Prophet ﷺ -with a garment when he was taken as a prisoner on the day of Badr. So, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave him a garment in place of it; lest it remain that he ﷺ would be obliged to owe a disbeliever a favor. With this [in mind], Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyaynah - the narrator of the hadeeth - told that they thought it more likely that the Prophet ﷺ dressed ʿAbdullah in his garment, as a requital for him for when he clothed al-Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) with his own garment.

[Or] perhaps he ﷺ did that because ʿAbdullah, the son of ʿAbdullah ibn Ubayy was a good Muslim; and had requested of the Prophet ﷺ to clothe his dead father with his garment, which had touched his ﷺ skin; so that it would be a mercy for his father. The Prophet ﷺ granted his request in honor of him. And the Prophet ﷺ did this before the [following ayah] was revealed by Allah, The Almighty, [as] He says: {And do not pray [the funeral prayer, O Muḥammad], over any of them who has died - ever - or stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were defiantly disobedient.} [Quran 9:84]. In Saheehal-Bukhaaree and Muslim, it is reported that this ayah with this prohibition was revealed after the Prophet ﷺprayed over ʿAbdullah ibn Ubayy. It is reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree says: On the authority of Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) that when ʿAbdullah ibn Ubayy passed away, his son came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Please give your garment to shroud him in it, offer his funeral prayer, and ask for Allah’s forgiveness for him.’ Then, the Prophet ﷺ gave him his garment, and said: ‘Inform me when to prayer for him [i.e., the funeral prayer].’ Later, he informed him ﷺ, and when The Prophet ﷺ intended to pray for him, ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) took him by the hand and said: ‘Has Allah not forbid you to pray for the hypocrites?’ To which, he ﷺ responded: ‘I have two choices [i.e., either to ask for forgiveness or not], and Allah says: {Ask forgiveness for them, [O Muḥammad], or do not ask forgiveness for them. If you should ask forgiveness for them seventy times - never will Allah forgive them.} [Quran 9:80].Then he ﷺ performed the funeral prayer over him, and [the following ayah] was revealed afterwards: {And do not pray [the funeral prayer, O Muḥammad], over any of them who has died - ever - or stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were defiantly disobedient.} [Quran 9:84].

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights the permissibility of exhuming the deceased [from their graves] after they have been buried, for a legitimate reason.

It also shows the permissibility of shrouding the deceased in a garment (Qamees).
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1351

Narrated Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him): When the time of the Battle of Uhud approached, my father called me at night and said, "I think that I will be the first amongst the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ to be martyred. I do not leave anyone after me dearer to me than you, except Allah's Messenger's soul and I owe some debt and you should repay it and treat your sisters favorably (nicely and politely)." So, in the morning he was the first to be martyred and was buried along with another (martyr). I did not like to leave him with the other (martyr), so I took him out of the grave after six months of his burial and he was in the same condition as he was on the day of burial, except a slight change near his ear..

Commentary : Martyrs have a lofty standing with Allah, May He be Exalted; and the ones of Uhud had a great position in the hearts of The Prophet ﷺand Muslims, and held great honors with Allah, The Almighty after their death[s].

In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reports that when the time for the Battle of Uhud drew near - which was during the month of Shawwaal in the third year after Hijrah and Uhud is one of the well-known mountains of al-Madeenah- his father, ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAmr ibn Haraam (may Allah be pleased with him) summoned him at night and said: ‘I think that I will be amongst the first of the Prophet’s Companions to be martyred.’ It was said: that the reason he thought that was because he had seen it in his dreams. ‘And I do not leave [anyone] after me more precious to me than you, except for the soul of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.’ This is a preference for the Prophet ﷺ,as his love for him was greater than for wealth or children. Then, he informed and urged him to take care of the debts he owed and ordered him to repay it for him. This is from the habit of the righteous, so it is necessary for whoever feels that their life is near an end to make known what rights people have over him and prescribe that they be made up. Then, he urged his son to take care of his sisters, [treat them well], and ensure that their needs are met. It was said: that Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) had nine sisters. It has been said that he had more sisters than that.

Jaabir said: “We woke up in the morning”, [here] he is referring to [waking up] on the day of the battle. And ʿAbdullah ibn Haraam was the first to be killed in the Battle of Uhud. He was buried with another man in a single grave [thereafter]. It was said that the other individual [buried with him] was ʿAmr ibn al-Jamooh (may Allah be pleased with him), who was a friend of his father. However, Jaabir’s soul was not content, and his heart was not settled knowing that his father was buried with others in a single grave. So, he removed him from his grave after six months [had passed]. His [father’s] exhumation from his grave was done with the Prophet’s knowledge and permission, and Jaabir didn’t find any change to the body of his father, ʿAbdullah, after six months had passed since his burial, other than a small place near his ear that had changed [a bit]. This is one of the great honors that Allah has given him.

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights the strength of ʿAbdullah ibn Haraam’s faith and demonstrates the intensity of his love for the Prophetﷺ; because he did not give preference to anyone over his love for him ﷺ, even if it was his own son.

It shows the permissibility of putting two [dead] men together in a single grave.

It highlights the permissibility of exhuming the deceased from their graves after they have been buried, if there is a legitimate reason [to do so]

And lastly, it shows some of the great honorsʿAbdullah ibn Haraam (may Allah be pleased with him) had, and that Allah preserved his body even after his death.
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739

Abu Is'hāq reported: I asked Al-Aswad ibn Yazīd about what ‘Ā’ishah narrated to him regarding the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). She said: He would sleep in the earlier part of the night and stay awake in the latter part. Then, when he needed intercourse with his wife, he would fulfill his need and then sleep. When the first call was pronounced, she said: He jumped - and no by Allah, she did not say: He stood up - and poured water over himself - and no by Allah, she did not say: He took a bath, and I know what she meant - and if he was not sexually impure, he would perform ablution like a man's ablution for prayer and then offer two Rak‘ahs..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would offer Qiyām al-Layl in his house as much as Allah willed him to pray. The Companions - and the Tābi‘is after them - were keen on knowing the details of his worship and would inquire about the acts of worship that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would perform at home which they could not see.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Abu Is'hāq as-Sabī‘i informs that he asked the Tābi‘i Al-Aswad ibn Yazīd about what ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) had told him with regard to the voluntary prayer of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) during the night. He told him that she had said: "He would sleep at the earlier part of the night" after the ‘Ishā’ prayer, in order to give his body its share of rest. And he would get up at the latter part of the night to fill it with prayer, Tahajjud, and Witr. This is the time in which Allah Almighty descends to the worldly heaven, as related in a Hadīth by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim, in which Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Our Lord, Glorified and Exalted, descends every night to the worldly heaven when the last third of the night remains and says: ‘Who supplicates Me so that I may answer him? Who asks Me so that I may give him? Who seeks forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?'"
Then, when he finished his prayer in the night, he would fulfill his need for his wives, in case he had a need for them. In the version by An-Nasā’i: "he would go to his wife", which indirectly refers to copulation; and then he would then sleep. Thereafter, when the time of Fajr came and he heard the Adhān - the first call - he would 'jump' i.e., he would get up in a quick and active manner, and he would pour water over himself, taking a ritual bath if he was sexually impure from the copulation with his wives. In case he was not sexually impure, he would only make ablution and then offer two Rak‘ahs as the Sunnah of Fajr.
By his words: "No by Allah, she did not say: He stood up" and "No by Allah, she did not say: He took a bath, and I know what she meant", the narrator means that he conveyed the very words said by ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), which are: "and he poured water over himself"; and she did not say: "He took a bath". And he knows that by "he poured water", she meant: He took a bath. This shows his care and meticulousness in conveying what he heard as he heard it, not by its meaning.
The Hadīth indicates that a sexually impure person may sleep without performing ablution.
It shows the interest in worship and the active engagement in it, as denoted by the words "he jumped"..

740

‘Ā’ishah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray at night until his last prayer would be the Witr..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer Qiyām al-Layl in his house as much as Allah willed him to pray. The Companions were keen on knowing the details of his worship and would inquire about the acts of worship that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would perform at home which they could not see.
In this Hadīth, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) informs that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer Qiyām al-Layl for part of the night and would pray two Rak‘ahs at a time, and the last prayer he would perform was the Witr, whose time ends with the rise of dawn. When the dawn rose, there would be no Witr, even between the Adhān of Fajr and its Iqāmah.
There are various forms and ways of the Prophet's performance of Witr, as well as the number of its Rak‘ahs. Based on all of them, it becomes apparent that Witr can be three, five, seven, nine, or eleven Rak‘ahs. If he observed Witr as three Rak‘ahs, this would have two legitimate ways: First: He would offer the three Rak‘ahs consecutively with one Tashahhud. Second: He would make Taslīm after two Rak‘ahs and then offer one Rak‘ah as Witr. But when he observed Witr as five or seven Rak‘ahs, he would offer them all together, with only one Tashahhud and Taslīm at the end. And when he observed Witr as nine Rak‘ahs, he would offer them all together and sit for Tashahhud at the eighth Rak‘ah and then stand up without Taslīm, and he would say Tashahhud in the ninth Rak‘ah and make Taslīm. When he observed Witr as eleven Rak‘ahs, he would make Taslīm after every two Rak‘ahs and then conclude them with one Rak‘ah. The minimum of what is valid and sufficient in terms of Witr is to perform two Rak‘ahs and make Taslīm and then perform one Rak‘ah and make Taslīm; and it is permissible to make one Taslīm, but with one Tashahhud, not two.
The Hadīth indicates that the last prayer at night should be Witr..

746

Zurārah reported: Sa‘d ibn Hishām ibn ‘Āmir wanted to fight for the sake of Allah. So, he came to Madīnah and wanted to sell some real estate that belonged to him there, allocate it for arms and horses, and conduct Jihad against the Romans until he dies. When he came to Madīnah, he met a group of people from Madīnah, who forbade him from doing so. They informed him that a group of six people wanted to do that during the lifetime of the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), yet the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade them. He said: Is there not a role model for you in me?! When they narrated that to him, he took back his wife, whom he had divorced, and he brought witnesses to her return. He came to Ibn ‘Abbās and asked him about the Witr of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Ibn ‘Abbās said: Shall I direct you to the most knowledgeable one among the people of the world about the Witr of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)? He said: Who? He said: ‘Ā’ishah. Go to her and ask her and then come to me and tell me about her response to you. So, I headed to her. I met Hakīm ibn Aflah and asked him to take me to her. He said: I would not come close to her, for I forbade her from saying anything about these two groups, but she refused and decided to engage in that. He said: I adjured him by Allah. As a result, he came, and we headed to ‘Ā’ishah. We asked her for permission to enter. She gave us permission, and we entered her place. She said: Are you Hakīm? She recognized him. He said: Yes. She said: Who is with you? He said: Sa‘d ibn Hishām. She said: Who is Hishām? He said: Ibn ‘Āmir. She invoked Allah's mercy upon him and spoke well of him. Qatādah said: He was wounded during the battle of ’Uhud. I said: O Mother of the Believers, tell me about the character of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). She said: Do you not recite the Qur’an? I said: Yes. She said: Indeed, the character of the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was the Qur’an. He said: I resolved to get up and not ask anyone about anything till I die; then a thought came to me, and I said: Tell me about the Qiyām (late-night prayer) of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). She said: Do you not recite: {O you the enwrapped one}? I said: Yes. She said: Indeed, Allah Almighty prescribed Qiyām al-Layl at the start of this Surah. So, the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions performed Qiyām for one year. And Allah held back its concluding portion for twelve months in heaven, till Allah sent down alleviation at the concluding verses of this Surah. Consequently, Qiyām al-Layl became optional after being obligatory. He said: I said: O Mother of the Believers, tell me about the Witr of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). She said: We used to prepare for him his tooth stick and water for his ablution, and Allah would resurrect him to the extent He wished during the night. He would use the tooth stick, perform ablution, and offer nine Rak‘ahs, without sitting in them except in the eighth one; he would remember Allah, praise Him, and supplicate Him, and then get up without making Taslīm and offer the ninth Rak‘ah. Then, he would sit, remember Allah, praise Him, supplicate Him, and then make Taslīm loud enough for us to hear. Then, he would offer two Rak‘ahs after Taslīm while he was sitting. These are eleven Rak‘ahs, O young son. When the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) grew old and put on weight, he would observe Witr with seven and do in the two Rak‘ahs as he had done formerly. These are nine, O young son. When the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) offered a prayer, he liked to offer it on a persistent basis. But if he missed Qiyām al-Layl due to sleep or illness, he would perform twelve Rak‘ahs during the daytime. I am not aware that the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) recited the whole Qur’an in a night, prayed for a night till the morning, or fasted a whole month other than Ramadan. He said: Then I headed to Ibn ‘Abbās and told him her Hadīth. He said: She spoke the truth. If I could come close to her or visit her, I would certainly go to her so that she would verbally narrate it to me. He said: I said: If I had known you would not enter her place, I would not have narrated her Hadīth to you. [And in a version]: He divorced his wife and then headed to Madīnah to sell his real estate, and he related a similar Hadīth..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer Qiyām al-Layl in his house as much as Allah willed him to pray. The Companions - and the Tābi‘is after them - were keen on knowing the details of his worship and would inquire about the acts of worship that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would perform at home which they could not see.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Zurārah ibn Awfa al-Harashi al-Basri relates that the Tābi‘i Sa‘d ibn Hishām ibn ’Umayyah al-Ansāri wanted to completely devote himself to the campaign and Jihad in the cause of Allah. So, he divorced his wife and came to Madīnah, and he was then in Basrah, residing there along with his father, the Companion Hishām ibn ‘Āmir (may Allah be pleased with him). He wanted to sell some real estate - and real estate is an immovable object, like a piece of land or a house. It may also refer to possessions - and purshase with their proceeds weapons, like a sword, spear, and bow, and horses, to engage in Jihad against the Romans till he would die in that state. Apparently, he sought celibacy and asceticism from worldly life.
When he came to Madīnah, he met a group from among the people of Madīnah. Having known what he intended to do, they forbade him from it, and told him that a group of six people had wanted to do the same as he intended - to divorce their wives and sell their possessions to engage in the campaign during the Prophet's lifetime - yet the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade them and said: "Is there not a role model for you in me?!" i.e., a good example for you to follow?! Sa‘d ibn Hishām acted upon the advice given to him by those people. So, he took back his wife. A man can take back his wife if he divorced her for the first or second time and her waiting period is yet to end. He brought witnesses to her return as a wife to him, which he did in compliance with the verse that reads: {Then when they have approached the end of their waiting period, either retain them honorably or part with them honorably. Call two just men from among yourselves as witnesses.} [Surat at-Talāq: 2]
Thereafter, Sa‘d went to ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) and asked him about the Witr of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Witr is the last prayer a Muslim observes after performing the supererogatory Qiyām al-Layl, the best voluntary act of worship to be performed by a Muslim. Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: "Shall I direct you to the most knowledgeable one among the people of the world about the Witr of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)?" Meaning, that the best one to tell you about it from among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and who is more knowledgeable about it than others, though Witr is a famous act that is known to the knowledgeable and others. However, since Sa‘d particularly linked his question to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), it was more appropriate that specialists should provide the answer, as long as they were present. So, Sa‘d asked him about that person. Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: ‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her). And he instructed him to go and pose his question to her and then return and tell him about her response and answer. Indeed, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) was more knowledgeable about that because Witr is a night prayer that is performed at home. So, the Mothers of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with them) had more knowledge about it, and the foremost among them was ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), given her great keenness to memorize the traditions of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
So, Sa‘d dashed off and went to her, as he was ordered by Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him). On his way, he passed by the Tābi‘i Hakīm ibn Aflah. He asked him to accompany him and go with him to ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her). Ibn Aflah said: "I would not come close to her" i.e., I do not want to be near her and will not go with you to her. "for I forbade her from saying anything about these two groups" i.e., the two factions, which refers to the group of ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and the group of Az-Zubayr ibn al-‘ِAwwām and Talhah ibn ‘Ubaydullāh (may Allah be pleased with both of them). The meaning: I forbade her from getting in this occurring war; but she refused and did not comply, and she insisted on going ahead with what she wanted. She sided with the opponents of ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) in the battle of the Camel.
Sa‘d informed that he adjured him by Allah and appealed to him to go to ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her). Hakīm agreed, and they went together to ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her). They asked her for permission to enter. ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) gave them permission to enter. She asked the one who entered: Are you Hakīm? She recognized him, probably by his voice when he greeted her. In response, Hakīm said: Yes. She asked him about the one accompanying him. Hakīm told her that he was Sa‘d ibn Hishām. She asked about who Hishām was. Hakīm informed her that he was Hishām ibn ‘Āmir ibn ’Umayyah (may Allah be pleased with him). Thereupon, she invoked Allah's mercy upon ‘Āmir and spoke well of him. In another version in the Sahīh Muslim Collection: "What an excellent man ‘Āmir was." ‘Āmir (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of those who were martyred and killed in the battle of ’Uhud, in the third Hijri year.
Sa‘d asked her: O Mother of the Believers, tell me about the character of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). She said to Sa‘d: "Do you not recite the Qur’an?" This is an affirmative question, for she knew he was one of those who recited the Qu’an. He replied: Yes. i.e., he was one of those who recited the Qur’an. So, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said to him: "She said: Indeed, the character of the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was the Qur’an," i.e., he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) assumed all the noble manners enjoined in the Qur’an and abided by them, and he avoided all that is prohibited therein. So, his character was to act upon it, stop at its limits, adopt its ethics, and take lessons from its examples and stories.
Then, Sa‘d informed that he thought to himself that he would leave her place and depart and never ask anyone about anything of the Prophet's character till he died, for she comprehensively described to him the Prophet's noble manners and good morals. She referred him to the noble Qur’an which comprises all excellent attributes. So, he could explore the Prophet's character from it, generally and specifically. Thus, nothing of his manners would remain for him to need to ask about.
After he resolved to leave the place of ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), he entertained the idea of asking her about the Qiyām al-Layl of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his supererogatory worship during the night. As he asked her to tell him about that, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) asked him: "Do you not recite: {O you the enwrapped one}?" i.e., the whole Surah. He replied that he recited it. She said: "Indeed, Allah Almighty prescribed" i.e., He ordained the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions to perform "Qiyām al-Layl in the start of this Surah." This occurs in the verse that reads: {Stand up in prayer at night except a little.} [Surat al-Muzzammil: 2] As a result, the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions prayed during the night for a whole year. In the version by Abu Dāwūd: "till their feet became swollen." And Allah Almighty held back with Him the concluding portion of this Surah - which contains alleviation and facilitation by prescribing the recitation of as much of the Qur’an as is easy - for twelve months in the heaven, till Allah sent down alleviation at the end of this Surah, in the verse that reads: {Indeed, your Lord knows that you [O Prophet] stand up in prayer for nearly two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or one-third of it, as do others among your companions. Allah determines the night and the day; He knows that you [Muslims] cannot keep an accurate count of it, so He pardoned you. Recite then as much of the Qur’an as is easy for you [in the night prayers]. He knows that there are some among you who will be ill, and others traveling in the land, seeking the grace of Allah, and others fighting in Allah’s way. So recite as much of it as is easy for you; establish prayer and give Zakah; and lend to Allah a goodly loan. Whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah, much better in condition and much greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah, for indeed Allah is All-Forgiving, Most-Merciful.} [Surat al-Muzzammil: 20] Consequently, Qiyām al-Layl became optional after being obligatory.
She (may Allah be pleased with her) was disputed over the period between the revelation of the beginning of the verse and the revelation of its end. It is said: After ten years, which is apparently correct view, for the Surah is a Makkan one, and it was one of the first verses of the Qur’an to be revealed, except for the two concluding verses of it, which were revealed in Madīnah.
Then, Sa‘d ibn Hishām asked her about the Witr of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), the manner of its performance, and the number of its Rak‘ahs. She (may Allah be pleased with her) told him that they used to prepare for him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) his tooth stick and the water for his ablution, so that he would perform ablution after getting up from sleep. This is because he used to sleep after the ‘Ishā’ prayer and then "Allah would resurrect him". She used the word 'resurrect' because sleep is similar to death. In other words, He would awaken him from sleep. So, he would use the tooth stick, make ablution, and offer nine connected Rak‘ahs without sitting or making Taslīm therein except in the eighth Rak‘ah, after which he would sit for Tashahhud, and "he would remember Allah" i.e., he would say Tashahhud, and praise Allah, ascribing to Him the attributes of perfection that befit Him, and supplicate Him and ask Him for the fulfillment of his needs. Then, he would rise from the eighth Rak‘ah, without making Taslīm thereafter, and offer the ninth Rak‘ah. Then, he would sit for Tashahhud and remember Allah and praise and supplicate Him in his Tashahhud. Then, he would make Taslīm after the ninth Rak‘ah in a way loud enough for them to hear. Then, he would offer two Rak‘ahs while sitting, before dawn. In Hadīths in the Two Sahīh Collections and numerous other well-known Hadīths, it is enjoined to make Witr the last prayer at night. An example is a Hadīth in which ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Make the last of your prayer at night the Witr." As for these two Rak‘ahs which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) offered after the Witr and before dawn, this was to demonstrate the permissibility of praying after the Witr, and they were not offered on a constant basis. Indeed, what he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did persistently was to observe the Witr.
Then, she (may Allah be pleased with her) informed Sa‘d that these mentioned Rak‘ahs, the nine and the two, amount to a total of eleven Rak‘ahs. She addressed him by "O young son" by way of compassion and gentleness. She also told him that when the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) grew old and put on weight more than he had in most of his life, he would observe Witr with seven Rak‘ahs and would do in the two Rak‘ahs as he had formerly done, i.e., he would offer them after making Taslīm from the seven Rak‘ahs while sitting. These seven Rak‘ahs along with the two Rak‘ahs are nine.
Then, she informed him that when the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) offered a prayer, he would like to offer it on a persistent basis. And if he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was prevented by sleep or illness from Qiyām al-Layl, he would perform twelve Rak‘ahs during the daytime, in return for the Qiyām al-Layl he missed during the night. This points out that he used to perform it on a regular and persistent basis. The Hadīth does not explicitly indicate that he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) missed the Witr; rather, he apparently did not miss it. He missed Qiyām al-Layl only, apart from the Witr. It also apparently indicates that he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to observe the Witr by way of precaution if he thought that he would be unable to get up for the supererogatory prayer.
Thereafter, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) informed that she was not aware that the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) recited the whole Qur’an in a night, prayed for a night till the morning, or fasted a whole month other than Ramadan. This all shows the Prophet's approach of facilitation and that he used to perform worship in accordance with his capacity and ability, by way of teaching his Ummah.
Sa‘d ibn Hishām said that he returned to Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) and narrated to him the Hadīth of ‘Ā’ishah. Thereupon, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said: ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) "spoke the truth" in what she narrated to you. He also informed him that if he could visit her and talk to her, he would certainly go to her so that she would narrate this Hadīth to him, directly. Sa‘d said to Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him): "If I had known that you would not visit her, I would not have narrated her Hadīth to you." He said that to rebuke him for refraining from visiting her and to recompense him for that by depriving him of the benefit, which would force him to visit her. The abandonment of talk with her was probably because of the dispute that took place between both of them over ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with them), or because of something else.
The Hadīth indicates that it was part of the Prophet's guidance to use the tooth stick upon getting up from sleep.
It points out the merit of ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) and her knowledge of the Prophet's conditions.
It includes doing justice and acknowledging the merit of those who are meritorious, as well as modesty.
A Muslim may be honored by mentioning the merits of his father and invoking Allah's mercy upon him.
A person should be gentle with himself and engage in worship moderately and refrain from deep engrossment in it.
The Hadīth shows the Prophet's care about the Witr prayer.
When a knowledgeable person is asked about something and he knows that someone else has more knowledge about it, he is recommended to direct the questioner to him, for indeed religion is sincere advice..

746

‘Ā’ishah reported: When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did some act, he would do it persistently, and when he slept at night or fell sick, he would offer twelve Rak‘ahs during the daytime. She said: I did not see the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pray a whole night till the morning, nor did he observe fast for a whole month consecutively except that of Ramadan..

Commentary : The Mother of the Believers ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to observe the Prophet's conditions day and night, as an observer and questioner. So, she became well aware of his guidance and Sunnah and taught it to those who came after her and those who asked her about his conditions (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
In this Hadīth, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) informs that when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) "did some act, he would do it persistently" i.e., he would perfect it and do it regularly. "and when he slept at night or fell sick", and there was a reason preventing him from performing Qiyām al-Layl, "he would offer twelve Rak‘ahs during the daytime", i.e., he would make up for Qiyām al-Layl during the daytime, in return for the prayer he missed during the night. This points out that he used to perform it on a regular and persistent basis. She did not mention the Witr because he did not make up for it; it seems that he did not miss it. Perhaps if something arose and would prompt him to miss Qiyām al-Layl, he would hasten to observe Witr, performing it at the earlier part of the night, and delay the other prayer and make up for it during the daytime.
Then, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) informed that it was not part of the Prophet's guidance to perform Qiyām al-Layl for the whole night; rather, he would sleep for part of the night and pray for some part of it; and that he did not fast a whole month other than the month of Ramadan, and this is because it is the month of obligatory fasting. Mentioning it is intended to negate other months, meaning that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would not fast a whole month on a voluntary basis; rather, he used to fast some days every month of the year and would not fast a whole month except for Ramadan; lest such a fast might be thought to be obligatory. This all shows the Prophet's approach of facilitation and that he used to perform worship in accordance with his capacity and ability, by way of teaching his Ummah.
The Hadīth indicates that one may make up for Qiyām al-Layl during the daytime.
It also mentions that Qiyām al-Layl performed during the daytime is Shaf‘ (even-numbered)..

747

‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever sleeps and fails to recite his hizb (usual portion of the Qur'an, dhikr, or prayer), or part of it, and then recites it between the Fajr prayer and the Zhuhr prayer, it will be recorded for him as if he recited it during the night.".

Commentary : Out of Allah's grace towards His believing servants, He prescribed for them dispensations with which they can make up for the missed acts of worship - obligatory and voluntary.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) points out that "Whoever sleeps and fails to recite his hizb or part of it" at night, as established in another version narrated by An-Nasā’i: "Whoever sleeps and fails to recite his hizb at night" i.e., he is overcome by sleep or gets prevented from it by a valid reason, yet he had the intention to do it. Hizb: The portion to which a person commits himself as a habit that he engages in voluntarily, like recitation of the Qur'an, dhikr, and prayer. Allah, out of His grace, gives him plenty of time. So, if he "recites it between the Fajr prayer and the Zhuhr prayer" i.e., he makes up for it during this time, because this is a good length of time during which a person can compensate for what he has missed in the night. Also, this is probably intended to encourage him to do it, for this is a time connected to the latter part of the night without separation between them save for the Fajr prayer. As recompense, the full reward will be added to his record of deeds as if he has done it at its usual time. Here is a slight manifestation of Allah's gentleness towards His servant, who perpetuates a certain condition of goodness. If anything arises from him that changes this condition, Allah bestows His favor upon him and does not detract from his reward, as if he has done it by virtue of his good and sincere intention.
In the Hadīth: Urging people to make up for the missed supererogatory worship, lest they may get used to abandoning any of the act of worship altogether if they miss it
And in it: The legitimacy of adopting a regular portion of worship at night
And in it: The legitimacy of making up for the regular portion of worship at night if it is missed due to sleep or some other excuse.

748

Al-Qāsim ash-Shaybāni related that Zayd ibn Arqam reported that he saw some people pray in the forenoon and he said: "They definitely knew that praying at other than this hour is better, for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: The prayer of the oft-returning to Allah is when weaned camels are bitten by excessive heat.'".

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and the Tābi‘is (may Allah have mercy upon them) were the keenest among people seeking the Prophet's guidance. This was for them to learn his guidance and Sunnah and then teach it to those who came after them and to those who asked them about the Prophet's circumstances concerning his prayer, Qiyām al-Layl, voluntary worship, and so on.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Al-Qāsim ibn ‘Awf ash-Shaybāni relates that the Companion Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) saw some people praying in the forenoon. - And in a version by Ahmad: "He saw some people praying in the Qubā’ Mosque in the forenoon" [Duha prayer] - and they were praying it at the time of sunrise, as related in another version by Ahmad. So, Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "They definitely knew that praying at an hour other than this one is better." In other words, their performance of the Duha prayer at this time is not preferred, for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The prayer of the oft-returning to Allah," i.e., those who obey Allah, glorify Him, and often turn to Him in repentance and sincerity in worship. Their prayer "is when weaned camels are bitten by excessive heat" i.e., when the hooves of weaned camels burn due to the extreme heat of sand caused by exposure to the sun. Weaned camels are young camels, and he singled them out because their hooves burn before the end of extreme heat, given the tenderness of the skin of their hooves. They separate from their mothers at the beginning of extreme heat, and they let them go. This happens at the latter time. So, prayer at this time is better, for people's souls are inclined to rest and comfort during this time, and this is one of the prayers whose performance is recommended to be delayed.
In the Hadīth: The merit of performing the Duha prayer at the latter time.
And in it: Indicating to seize the opportunity to perform worship and engage in acts of obedience to Allah during the times of comfort, calm, and rest..

753

Abu Mijlaz reported: I asked Ibn ‘Abbās about Witr, and he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "One Rak‘ah at the end of the night.".

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and the Tābi‘is (may Allah have mercy upon them) were the keenest among people on seeking the Prophet's guidance. This was for them to learn his guidance and Sunnah and then teach it to those who came after them and to those who asked them about the Prophet's circumstances concerning his prayer, Qiyām al-Layl, voluntary worship, and so on.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Abu Mijlaz Lāhiq ibn Humayd informs that he asked Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) about the Witr prayer, the number of its Rak‘ahs, and the best time for performing it. In response to him, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "One Rak‘ah at the end of the night", i.e., its minimum is one Rak‘ah at the end of the night. This one Rak‘ah which a person offers at the end turns all the prayers he has performed during the night into Witr (odd-numbered), after they were Shaf‘ (even-numbered). The last part of the night is the last time to pray Witr, which is shortly before dawn. It is related in another version by Muslim: "Indeed, prayer at the end of the night is witnessed (by the angels)"; as the angels of mercy witness it. This prayer occurs at the time of Sahar (shortly before dawn), when Allah descends to the worldly heaven in a way that befits His majesty; and that is better.
There are various forms and ways of the Prophet's performance of Witr, as well as the number of its Rak‘ahs. Based on all of them, it becomes apparent that Witr can be one, three, five, seven, nine, or eleven Rak‘ahs.
The Hadīth mentions that the minimum of Witr is one Rak‘ah.
It indicates that the last time for praying Witr is the latter part of the night.
It also demonstrates the facilitation with regard to this prayer, as it is sufficient to observe it as one Rak‘ah..

754

Abu Sa‘īd reported: They asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about the Witr (odd) prayer, and he said: "Perform the Witr prayer before the morning.".

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were the most keen among people to seek the Prophet's guidance and observe his circumstances, by watching and asking, so as to learn his guidance and Sunnah, including his prayer, Qiyām al-Layl, voluntary worship, and so on. And the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach them the obligatory and supererogatory prayers and their etiquettes and the best times for performing them. Also, he would guide them to the highest level of worship and the minimum amount of what is sufficient in it.
In this Hadīth, Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) said that some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about the Witr prayer and its time, so he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Perform the Witr prayer before the morning." In other words, perform the Witr prayer before the coming of the time of the obligatory prayer of the morning. Morning here refers to the true dawn. This indicates that the Witr prayer is to be performed at the end of the night prayer, and its time extends until the rise of dawn. When the dawn rises, no Witr can be performed, even between the Adhān and iqāmah of the Fajr prayer.
In the Hadīth: The time for the Witr prayer ends before the Fajr prayer.
And in it: Indication that delaying the Witr prayer is better..

755

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If anyone fears that he will not wake up at the end of the night, let him offer the Witr prayer at its beginning, and if anyone expects to wake up at its end, let him offer the Witr prayer at the end of the night. Indeed, prayer at the end of the night is witnessed, and that is better." Abu Mu‘āwiyah said: "In a version: attended.".

Commentary : In this Hadīth, Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reports: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If anyone fears that he will not wake up at the end of the night, let him offer the Witr prayer at its beginning," i.e., whoever fears that he may not wake up at the latter part of the night to perform the Witr prayer should perform it before he sleeps." And if anyone expects to wake up at its end, let him offer the Witr prayer at the end of the night," i.e., whoever knows from his condition that he will be able to get up at the latter part of the night should perform the Witr at the end of the night. "Indeed, prayer at the end of the night is witnessed," i.e., prayer at the end of the night is witnessed by the angels of mercy, as this prayer is offered at the latter part of the night before dawn at the time when Allah descends in a way that befits His majesty and that is better," i.e., the time at the end of the night is better for him than its beginning. Abu Mu‘āwiyah - one of the narrators - said: 'attended' i.e., attended by the angels of the night and the day.
In the Hadīth: The preferability of Witr at the end of the night
And in it: Some times are more meritorious than others.
And in it: Prayer at the end of the night is attended and witnessed by the angels of mercy.

756

Jābir reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best prayer is the prolonged qunūt (standing in prayer).".

Commentary : Prayer is the mainstay of religion, and it is the main pillar of Islam that every Muslim must fulfill without any excuse. The Prophet's comfort was provided through prayer. Therefore, he used to perform a lot of supererogatory prayers, to the extent that he would offer Qiyām al-Layl until his feet would swell due to his prolonged standing before Allah Almighty, reciting, supplicating, showing humility, and imploring Allah.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs us that the best thing regarding prayer, in general, is the long qunūt, which refers to the prolonged standing in prayer for recitation. It is explicitly mentioned in a Hadīth narrated by Abu Dāwūd, in which ‘Abdullāh ibn Habashi al-Khath‘ami (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: "Which deed is the best?" He said: "The prolonged standing." Qunūt may also refer to supplication, humility, and subservience before Allah Almighty. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to do that, especially during supererogatory prayers and Qiyām al-Layl. He would pause at every verse and would not go past any verse containing a supplication without supplication with it, or a punishment without seeking the refuge of Allah Almighty from it, and so on.
An obligatory prayer - even if it does not include prolonged standing, recitation, and supplication - is better than a supererogatory prayer that contains such prolongation. This is because Allah Almighty ordained the obligatory prayer and fixed a certain time and a number of Rak‘ahs for it, and He punishes those who abandon it. It is also because it was commanded that the obligatory prayer be offered in congregation and in a brief manner, in consideration of those who are sick, those who are in need, and so on. As for the supererogatory and voluntary prayer, a person can prolong it as much as he is able to. Thus, every prayer retains its advantage and merit.
In the Hadīth: The merit of prolonged qunūt and standing for recitation in prayer, along with humility and supplication.

757

Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "There is an hour at night during which no Muslim man happens to be asking Allah for the goodness of this world or the Hereafter except that He will give it to him, and this occurs every night.".

Commentary : There are times in the night during which people's souls become peaceful, worship becomes more pleasant, and supplications are answered. Allah Almighty distinguished these times by bestowing greater bounty upon His servants during them and giving abundant goodness to those who ask for it.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that "there is an hour at night", which is a specific time. The use of the indefinite article before it denotes its significance, that it should be looked out for, and that the opportunity should be seized to catch it. It is an obscure hour like the hour on Friday. It was said: It is most likely to occur at the last third of the night, in which Allah Almighty descends to the heaven of the world, in a way that befits His majesty and does not resemble the descent of the created beings, and says, as narrated in the Two Sahīh Collections: "Who supplicates to Me so that I may respond to him?" And it was said: The wisdom behind concealing it is to urge people to strive exceedingly to fulfill the objective all night long, not to limit the worship to a certain time to the exclusion of others, and not to lose hope for missing the advantage.
During this hour, no Muslim man happens to be - and the word 'man' includes males and females - supplicating to Allah and asking for the goodness of this world and the Hereafter except that He will respond to him and grant his request. Goodness refers to all that is beneficial, on a prompt or delayed basis and in terms of religious or worldly affairs, and for which a person will not be blamed in the Hereafter.
The existence of this hour is constant every night, all the time. This does not particularly apply to some nights. Rather, it exists in all of them—out of Allah's great bounty and abundant giving.
In the Hadīth: Urging supplication during the night, the pursuit of this hour therein, and working diligently in it.
And in it: Establishing the existence of the hour of answered supplications every night..

759

Abu Hurayrah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to encourage the performance of Qiyām in Ramadan, without vehemently enjoining them to do so. He would say: "Whoever performs Qiyām during Ramadan, out of faith and in pursuit of reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven." The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) passed away while this was the case, and then it remained like that during the caliphate of Abu Bakr and the earlier part of the caliphate of ‘Umar..

Commentary : Ramadan is the best month, and performing Qiyām during its nights is a sublime act. So, whoever performs Qiyām during the entire Ramadan and stays awake in its nights for worship, out of desire for reward from Allah Almighty, without regarding it as burdensome or boring, will have his sins forgiven.
In this Hadīth, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to urge his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to perform Qiyām during the nights of Ramadan. Yet, he did not enjoin them to do so by way of obliging, and he did not impose it upon them. Vehemently: denotes resolve to make something happen. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to say: "Whoever performs Qiyām during Ramadan, out of faith and in pursuit of reward from Allah" i.e., out of belief in the merit of these nights and the virtue of the good deeds performed therein, and in pursuit of Allah's pleasure and out of desire for being rewarded by Him, Exalted be He. Whoever does that, it is hoped that Allah will forgive his past sins. The recompense is expressed in the past tense in Arabic, even though the forgiveness will happen in the future, to denote certainty and assurance about its occurrence, as a favor from Allah Almighty upon His servants. Thus, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged his Ummah to do good and righteous deeds, which lead to the expiation of sins and the increase of their rewards.
Then, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) informed that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) passed away "while this was the case" i.e., the people refrained from praying behind one Imām in the Tarāwīh prayer. Rather, they would pray individually and separately; some would pray in the early part of the night, while others would pray in the latter part; and some would pray at home, while others would pray in the mosque, either because they were observing i‘tikāf (retirement in the mosque) or they belonged to the people of As-Suffah, or due to some other reason. This continued to be the case throughout the caliphate of Abu Bakr and during the early phase of the caliphate of ‘Umar. Then, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) gathered them behind one Imām and appointed ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) as their Imām, and he led them in congregational prayer. It continued to be performed congregationally.
‘Umar's action follows the Prophet's action when he led people in this prayer once; yet he did not repeat that for fear that it might be made obligatory for them. Then, when this reason ceased to exist with the death of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the revelation stopped, ‘Umar held that it was more appropriate for them to offer it in a congregation as they had done during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
This falls under the legitimate Ijtihād (independent reasoning), for it has a basis in the religion upon which it relies and from which it stems. As for the illegitimate Bid‘ah (religious innovation), it has no basis in the religion or proof upon which it relies.
The Hadīth urges the performance of Qiyām during Ramadan and demonstrates its merit.
It shows the good understanding and judgment of ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) regarding the religious interests of Muslims, as he also displayed good judgment regarding their worldly interests..

762

Zirr ibn Hubaysh reported: I asked ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b, saying: "Your brother ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd says: 'Whoever performs Qiyām all the year long will reach Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree).' He said: "May Allah have mercy upon him. He wanted the people not to be passively reliant. Indeed, he knew that it occurs in Ramadan, that it occurs in the last ten days, and that it is the twenty-seventh night." Then, he swore - without exception - that it is the twenty-seventh night. I said: "Based on what do you say that, O Abu al-Mundhir?" He said: "On the sign - or the mark - which the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed us about that it (the sun) rises on that day with no rays.".

Commentary : Laylat al-Qadr occupies great status and significance. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) held it in high regard and commanded us to seek it and perform Qiyām al-Layl therein out of faith and in pursuit of reward from Allah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) determined that it occurs on the odd-numbered nights within the last ten days of Ramadan and mentioned certain signs that point to it.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Zirr ibn Hubaysh relates that he asked ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) about the statement by ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) to the effect that whoever performs Qiyām all year long will certainly reach Laylat al-Qadr on one of its nights. He did not specify this night for them. It is understood from this statement that he thought it to be an obscure night that moves throughout the year and is not limited to Ramadan.
When 'Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) heard that, he supplicated so that Allah shows mercy to Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him), and that was the supplication of someone who knew the intent of the statement made by Ibn Mas‘ūd, and by way of presenting an excuse for him. Then, he explained that Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him), by his statement, intended to deter people from abandoning Qiyām al-Layl and instead waiting for Laylat al-Qadr; so, they would perform Qiyām al-Layl only on this night or neglect to perform Qiyām on the other nights of the year; and thus the wisdom behind obscurity, for which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was made to forget it, would be missed. So, he wanted to prompt the people to diligently seek this night by performing Qiyām al-Layl a lot.
Then, 'Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) informed that Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) was aware that it occurs in Ramadan, that it occurs within the last ten days, and that it is the twenty-seventh night. Then, ’Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him) took a solemn oath, without saying thereafter: if Allah wills, "that it is the twenty-seventh night". ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) assured that Laylat al-Qadr is the twenty-seventh night of Ramadan and swore emphatically about that.
Thereupon, Zirr ibn Hubaysh: What is your proof for that, O Abu al-Mundhir? This is the surname of ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him). ’Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: The sign - or the mark - which the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed us about, namely that the sun rises in the next morning of this night with no rays. Rather, it is pure and no extended rays are seen for it. So, its light spreads without rays, as the moon gives light without rays. The rays of the sun are what you see in sunlight that resembles ropes and rods coming towards you, when you look at it.
There is a difference of opinion over specifying Laylat al-Qadr. According to the opinion more likely to be correct, it occurs on the odd-numbered nights during the last ten days, as demonstrated by the pure Sunnah. Out of His wisdom, Allah Almighty kept it hidden from the people so that they diligently seek it within these nights, and engage in a lot of worship that brings them benefit.
The Hadīth points out that some of the Companions would adopt the approach of resolve to reach their objectives.
It informs that one of the signs of Laylat al-Qadr is that the sun rises in the next morning of this night with no rays..

763

Ibn ‘Abbās reported: I spent one night in the house of my maternal aunt Maymūnah bint al-Hārith. I said to her: "Awaken me when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stands up." The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stood up, and I stood on his left side. He took hold of my hand and made me stand on his right side, and whenever I dozed off, he would take hold of my earlobe. He said: He offered eleven Rak‘ahs. Then, he sat with his legs drawn and wrapped in his garment and slept so that I could hear his breathing while asleep. And when the dawn became apparent to him, he offered two short Rak‘ahs..

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen to know the Prophet's worship in detail and used to ask about the acts of worship the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would perform at home which they could not see. Some of them would seek to learn about that by virtue of their bond and kinship with the noble Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him); one of those was ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās, the cousin of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the nephew of his wife Maymūnah (may Allah be pleased with them).
In this Hadīth, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that he spent one night in the house of his maternal aunt, the Mother of the Believers Maymūnah bint al-Hārith (may Allah be pleased with her). This night was her turn with the noble Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He said to his maternal aunt (may Allah be pleased with her): "Awaken me when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stands up" for prayer at night; out of his keenness to follow the Prophet's condition in Qiyām al-Layl. After a part of the night had passed, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stood up for prayer. Thereupon, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up and performed ablution like that of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), as related in the Two Sahīh Collections. Then, he stood on the left side of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) took hold of his hands from behind his back and made him stand on his right side. This demonstrates how the Imām and the one led in prayer should stand in a congregational prayer offered by two persons. Whenever Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) dozed off during the prayer, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would rub his earlobe to alert and awaken him in the prayer.
Then, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) informed that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) offered eleven Rak‘ahs that night, two Rak‘ahs at a time, and then observed the Witr. "Then, he sat with his legs drawn and wrapped in his garment." This is when a person sits on his buttocks and keeps his legs upright and drags his legs towards his abdomen with a garment and gathers them with his back, and he pulls the garment over it while in this state, or he pulls it over his legs with his hand. His words "so that I could hear his breathing while asleep" mean that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sat for a little while in that state and then lay down, according to the versions in the Two Sahīh Collections, till Ibn ‘Abbās could hear the sound of the Prophet's breathing, which indicates deep sleep. When the time of dawn came, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stood up and offered two short Rak‘ahs as the Sunnah of the Fajr prayer, without performing ablution, for the Prophet's eyes sleep but his heart does not; hence, his ablution was not invalidated, given the attentiveness of his heart. Then, he went out to the mosque and led the people in prayer, as related in the Two Sahīh Collections.
This version narrated by Muslim is the version of Ad-Dahhāk ibn ‘Uthmān, and it contradicts the version by most prolific Hadīth narrators. He said: "Then, he offered eleven Rak‘ahs." And it is reported in the version by most Hadīth narrators that he offered thirteen Rak‘ahs, and their version is the memorized one, for he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would first offer two short Rak‘ahs, then two long Rak‘ahs, then six Rak‘ahs, and then three Rak‘ahs thereafter. These amount to a total of thirteen Rak‘ahs.
The Hadīth indicates the permissibility of alerting a heedless person during the prayer by pulling his ear and the like.
It also indicates that a supererogatory prayer may be offered in the congregation.
The Hadīth points out that a boy may pass the night in the house of one of his mahrams (non-marriageable female relatives) in the presence of her husband..

763

Ibn ‘Abbās reported: that he spent a night in the house of his maternal aunt Maymūnah. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got up at night and performed a short ablution from a water-skin hanging there. He said: He described his ablution. He kept it short and quick. Ibn ‘Abbās said: I got up and did the same as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had done. Then, I came and stood on his left side. He made me go around and stand on his right side. He offered prayer and then went to sleep till he began to snore. Thereafter, Bilāl came to him and notified him of the prayer. He went out and performed the Fajr prayer without performing ablution. Sufyān said: This is for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in particular, as it has been conveyed to us that the eyes of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sleep, but his heart does not sleep..

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen to know the Prophet's worship in detail and used to ask about the acts of worship the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would perform at home and they could not see. Some of them would seek to learn about that by virtue of their bond and kinship with the noble Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him); one of them was ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās, the cousin of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the nephew of his wife Maymūnah (may Allah be pleased with them).
In this Hadīth, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that he spent one night in the house of his maternal aunt Maymūnah, the wife of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). This was her night in which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would stay with her. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got up after he had slept a part of the night. He performed ablution from a leather container that had water in it. The Prophet's ablution this time was a short one.
The words "He described his ablution. He kept it short and quick" were said by Sufyān ibn ‘Uyaynah, as narrated in Sahīh Al-Bukhāri Collection. He informs that his Shaykh ‘Amr ibn Dinār described the Prophet's ablution as short and quick. The meaning: By keeping it short, he refers to the complete washing of the body parts (without washing them more than once), which is the minimum valid ablution for prayer. In the Two Sahīh Collections: "Then, he performed a good ablution between the two ablutions" i.e., the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution between the short ablution and the complete one. It is more likely that he reduced the use of water while doing the washing three times. This is because he described it as good, and thus it would not be less than three times.
‘Abdullāh got up and did the same as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had done, performing a short ablution and getting prepared for prayer. Then, he came and joined the prayer with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and stood on his left side. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) held him by the hand from behind his back and made him stand on his right side in prayer. This demonstrates and affirms how the Imām and the one being led in prayer should stand in a congregational prayer offered by two persons, even if it is supererogatory.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed as much as Allah willed him to pray. It is narrated in the Two Sahīh Collections that he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) offered thirteen Rak‘ahs. "then he went to sleep till he began to snore" i.e., he plunged into sleep till the sound of his breathing could be heard, which indicates deep sleep. Thereafter, Bilāl ibn Rabāh (may Allah be pleased with him) - the Prophet's Muezzin - came and notified him that the time of Fajr was due. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got up from sleep and went out for the Fajr prayer and performed it without renewing his ablution.
Clarifying the reason for this act by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), Sufyān said: "This is for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in particular, as it has been conveyed to us that the eyes of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sleep, but his heart does not sleep" i.e., this is a merit for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) which none among his Ummah shares with him: that his ablution does not get invalidated when he sleeps, for his heart does not sleep.
The Hadīth mentions some of the Prophet's peculiar characteristics.
It indicates that a boy may pass the night in the house of one of his Mahrams (female relatives who he is not allowed to marry) in the presence of her husband.
It also mentions that the Muezzin may come to the Imām so that he may go out for the prayer.
The Hadīth points out a supererogatory prayer may be offered in the congregation..

Book of Hadith

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