It was narrated that al-Aswad said: Ibn al-Zubayr said to me: ‘A’ishah used to tell many things exclusively to you; what did she tell you about the Kaaba? I said: She told me that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “O ‘A’ishah, were it not that your people only recently left disbelief behind, I would have demolished the Kaaba [and rebuilt it], and I would have given it two doors, a door for the people to enter and a door for them to exit.” And Ibn al-Zubayr did that..

Commentary : The Kaaba is the House of Allah on earth and the qiblah of the Muslims. Allah has honoured it, caused people to hold it in high esteem and love it, and has made it a destination for the Hajj.
In this hadith, the Tabi’i al-Aswad ibn Yazid al-Nakha‘i narrates that ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr said to him: ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to narrate some hadiths exclusively to you. ‘Abdullah asked him what she had told him about the Kaaba, and he told ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr that she had narrated to him what the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had said about demolishing and rebuilding the Kaaba. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) wanted to demolish it and rebuild it, giving it two doors, a door through which the people could enter and another through which they could exit. But he did not do that, because Quraysh used to venerate the Kaaba greatly, so he was afraid that – because they had only recently left disbelief behind and entered Islam – they might think that he was changing its structure so that he could have exclusive honour and pride in that regard.
This change was in fact made by Ibn al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him), meaning that he rebuilt the Kaaba in the manner that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had wanted. Then al-Hajjaj came and put it back as it had been, and those who came after him left it as it was, for fear that the people might start to tinker with the Kaaba, repeatedly demolishing it and rebuilding it, which would undermine the esteem in which people held it.
This hadith indicates that a matter that serves some interest may be abandoned lest it lead to some evil consequences.
It indicates that one may refrain from objecting to a reprehensible action lest doing so lead to something even more reprehensible.
It indicates that if, in the running of his people’s affairs, the ruler is faced with two options, he should choose that which best serves their interests, even if it is not the best option, so long as it is not haram.
It indicates that the ruler may strive to soften the hearts of his subjects so that they will not be resentful, and he should avoid what he fears could lead to them developing resentment, so long as that does not involve failing to do something that is enjoined in Islamic teachings..

127

‘Ali said: Speak to people at the level they can comprehend; do you want Allah and His Messenger to be rejected?.

Commentary : People’s ability to understand issues and make sense of them varies. Part of the scholar’s insight and proper understanding is that he should speak to each individual and group at the level that their minds can grasp and will not be put off by.
In this report, the Commander of the Faithful, ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) advises us to speak to people at their intellectual level about issues that they will be able to understand, and to refrain from talking about that which will be confusing for them and difficult to understand, lest that lead to them rejecting what Allah and His Messenger said, and not believing them. If people hear something that their minds cannot comprehend, they will quickly reject it. Hence the scholar can use various approaches to present his knowledge when speaking to people. So he should speak to ordinary people in a manner that they can understand, then speak exclusively to intelligent people and seekers of knowledge about some subtle matters, and explain them to them.
This hadith indicates that one should pay attention to the circumstances of the audience and their ability to understand.
It also indicates that we should choose a clear and straightforward approach when calling people to Islam..

128

It was narrated from Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, when Mu‘adh was riding behind him on his mount: “O Mu‘adh ibn Jabal!” He said: Here I am at your service, O Messenger of Allah. He said: “O Mu‘adh!” He said: Here I am at your service, O Messenger of Allah. That happened three times. He said: “There is no one who bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, sincerely from the heart, but Allah will forbid him to the Fire.” Mu‘adh said: Should I not tell the people about that, so that they will be of good cheer? He said: “Then they would rely on that [and not strive].” But Mu‘adh narrated it before he died, for fear of incurring sin [by withholding knowledge]..

Commentary : The testimony of Tawhid is a matter of great virtue, by means of which a person enters Islam and exits disbelief, and by virtue of it he will be saved on the Day of Resurrection from abiding forever in the Fire.
In this hadith, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates something that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) told Mu‘adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him), when he was riding behind the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) on his mount. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) called out to Mu‘adh, repeating the call three times, to highlight the importance of what he was going to tell him. Each time, Mu‘adh (may Allah be pleased with him) responded by saying: Labbayka ya Rasulallah wa sa‘dayk (Here I am at your service, O Messenger of Allah). In other words, I respond to you, O Messenger of Allah, time after time; or, I am adhering to obedience to you time after time, seeking bliss and well-being in this world and the hereafter each time I respond to you. This means that he was responding to the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and affirming his willingness to obey him in whatever instructions he gave him. As Mu‘adh (may Allah be pleased with him) responded well and listened attentively, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) told him that there is no one who testifies that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, so none is worshipped rightfully except Him, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, sincerely from the heart, but Allah will forbid him to the Fire, meaning that He will forbid him to abide therein forever. The phrase “sincerely from the heart” means that what matters is that saying and uttering the twin declaration of faith (al-shahadatayn) should be based on what one believes in the heart. This is by way of excluding the hypocrite, because the words of the twin declaration of faith will not benefit the hypocrite on the Day of Resurrection, for he did not say these words sincerely from the heart. Mu‘adh (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) to let him tell the people about this, so that they would rejoice and be of good cheer, but the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was concerned lest the people rely on it, and therefore strive less and do fewer acts of worship. So Mu‘adh did not narrate it to anyone until just before he died, for fear of falling into the sin of withholding knowledge.
It was said that the apparent meaning of the report indicates that all those who utter the twin declaration of faith will not enter the Fire, because of the general and emphatic meaning of the hadith, but the definitive proof of Ahl al-Sunnah indicates that a group of believers who sinned will be punished in the Fire for the sins that they committed, then they will be brought forth from the fire through intercession.
This hadith gives great glad tidings to those who affirm the oneness of Allah that if the one who committed major sins dies affirming the oneness of Allah, he will not abide in the Fire forever.
It also indicates that there are some types of knowledge that may be told to all people, and some types that may be given only to the elite.
It highlights the humbleness of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).
It highlights the high status of Mu‘adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) in terms of knowledge, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) told some knowledge exclusively to him.
It indicates that words may be repeated for a purpose and to make a point.
It indicates that one may respond by saying, Labbayka wa sa‘dayk (here I am at your service)..

129

It was narrated that Anas ibn Malik said: I was told that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to Mu‘adh ibn Jabal: “Whoever meets Allah not associating anything with Him will enter Paradise.” He said: Should I not tell the people this good news? He said: “No, for I fear that they will rely on that [and stop striving].”.

Commentary : The heart cannot be sound unless it is completely free of shirk, which is contrary to Tawhid, because the worst type of wrongdoing and evil in this world is shirk or associating others with Allah, for that is the cause of a person abiding forever in the Fire.
In this hadith, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) told Mu‘adh (may Allah be pleased with him) that whoever dies as a believer, associating nothing with Allah, in the sense that he worships Allah alone, knowing that none is rightfully worshipped except Him, and believing this in his heart, as indicated by these reports, will enter Paradise by the grace of Allah, either straight away or after being punished, but this does not include the hypocrites. Mu‘adh (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him to let him tell the people about that so that they might rejoice and be of good cheer, but the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) told him not to do that, for fear that they would rely on that and would strive less and do fewer acts of worship. According to the report narrated by al-Bukhari, Mu‘adh (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated this hadith just before he died, for fear of falling into the sin of withholding knowledge.
This hadith highlights the virtue of Tawhid and the danger of shirk.
It indicates that that there are some types of knowledge that may be told to all people, and some types that may be given only to the elite.
It highlights the status and knowledge of Mu‘adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him), because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) told some knowledge exclusively to him.
It indicates that it is prescribed for the seeker of knowledge to ask about that concerning which he is not certain.
It also gives great glad tidings to those who affirm the oneness of Allah..

130

It was narrated that Umm Salamah said: Umm Sulaym came to the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah, Allah is not too shy to tell the truth; does a woman have to do ghusl if she has an erotic dream? The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “[Yes], if she sees water.” Umm Salamah covered her face, and said: O Messenger of Allah, can a woman have an erotic dream? He said: “Yes, may your hands be rubbed with dust. How else would her child resemble her?”.

Commentary : All shyness (haya’) is good, for it is part of faith and is one of the praiseworthy characteristics that both men and women should seek to acquire.
In this hadith, Zaynab, the daughter of Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), narrates that Umm Sulaym – who was the mother of Anas ibn Malik and the wife of Talhah ibn ‘Ubaydillah (may Allah be pleased with them all) – came to the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in the presence of Umm Salamah, the wife of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). She introduced her question by saying: Allah is not too shy to tell the truth, so He would not refrain from explaining the truth and making it clear. That was because what she was going to say to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was something that women usually feel too shy to mention in the presence of men. Then she asked her question: Does a woman have to do ghusl if she has an erotic dream, and sees in her dream that a man is having intercourse with her? The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) responded by saying that ghusl is required of her if she sees “water”, meaning discharge, when she wakes up. If she does not see it, then she does not have to do ghusl. Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) covered her face out of embarrassment at this question, because the emission of a discharge in women is indicative of strong desire for men, and she asked the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in astonishment: Can a woman have an erotic dream? In other words, can a woman see discharge and have an erotic dream like men? He answered: Yes, a woman may have an erotic dream and see discharge. Then he said to her: “May your hands be rubbed with dust,” meaning: May you become poor and left with nothing. This was a saying among the Arabs, but they did not mean it literally as a prayer against the one to whom it was addressed. Then the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: How else would her child resemble her? In other words, for what other reason would her child resemble her, if she did not emit a discharge of her own? The discharge of the man is thick and white, and the discharge of the woman is thin and yellow. It was narrated that whichever of the two discharges overwhelms the other, the child will resemble that parent.
This hadith indicates that there is no need to feel shy when seeking knowledge and asking questions about religion, because it is truth.
It highlights the fact that women emit discharge and may see erotic dreams like men, and because of this discharge the child may resemble the mother.
It also indicates that it is enjoined for the one who has an erotic dream to do ghusl if he (or she) sees “water” (discharge) after waking up.
And it indicates that the child may resemble his father or his mother..

131

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Among trees, there is one tree whose leaves do not fall, and it is like the Muslim. Tell me what it is.” The people started listing the trees of the desert. ‘Abdullah said: It occurred to me that it was the palm tree, but I felt too shy to say anything. Then they said: Tell us what it is, O Messenger of Allah. He said: “It is the palm tree.” ‘Abdullah said: I told my father about what had occurred to me, and he said: If you had said it, that would have been dearer to me than such and such..

Commentary : The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was a wise teacher and great educator. He used to give likenesses to the people to explain some ideas.
In this hadith, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) asked his companions about the tree whose leaves do not fall, which he likened to the Muslim. They started to think only about trees of the desert, each of them listing different types of desert trees, but the palm tree completely slipped their minds. Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) thought to himself that it was the palm tree, but he was too shy to mention what he had in mind, out of respect for the senior Sahabah present, who could not give the right answer. So the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) gave them the answer, telling them that it was the palm tree. The palm tree is like the Muslim in the sense that it offers a great deal of goodness: it constantly offers shade (because it does not lose its leaves), it bears good fruit, and it offers many other benefits. It is full of benefits, goodness and beauty. Similarly, the believer is all good because he does many acts of worship, has good characteristics, and persists in doing righteous deeds, giving charity and doing all kinds of good deeds. So it is as if he never stops doing good, so he constantly does good deeds just as the leaves of the palm tree are always there, then it gives fruits at the right time.
Then ‘Abdullah told his father, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) of what had occurred to him, that it was the palm tree, but he had felt too shy to mention that. His father said to him: If you had said it and told the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that it is the palm tree, that would have been dearer to me than having such and such; in other words, then being given such and such, such as red camels, for example. Ibn Hibban added in his Sahih: I think he said: Red camels. ‘Umar only wished for that so that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) would offer supplication for his son, and he would thus attain the blessing of his supplication, as ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) did, and so that it would be clear that his son possessed smartness and understanding from an early age, and thus would become prominent when he grew up.
In this hadith we see that a knowledgeable person may ask questions of those who want to learn, in order to see how smart they are and how much they understand.
It also indicates that one should show respect to elders, as Ibn ‘Umar did. But if the elder cannot work it out, then the younger person may speak up.
This hadith also highlights the intelligence of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), for Allah (may He be exalted) gifted him with intelligence.
It highlights the virtue of the palm tree and how it is like the Muslim, and how it is blessed because of what it bears of fruits.
It indicates that a man may be keen for his son to show that he has more knowledge than one who is older than him.
It indicates that a father may express happiness with the intelligence and smartness of his son..

132

It was narrated that ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib said: I was a man who emitted a great deal of madhiy, so I told al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad to ask the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) about that; he asked him and he said: “Do wudu’ for it.”.

Commentary : Islam is the religion of mercy and compassion towards people, and seeks to make things easy for them. It is also the religion of purity and cleanliness. One of the things that proves this is the fact that Islam makes things easy for people and pays attention to their circumstances.
In this hadith, ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) says: I was a man who emitted a great deal of madhiy, which is a thin, white liquid that is usually emitted when desire is provoked, and when playing with one’s wife and kissing her, or looking with desire, or remembering, or after urinating. It usually precedes the omission of maniy (semen) or follows it. According to a report narrated by Abu Dawud, ‘Ali said: I began to do ghusl for it during the winter until I got cracks in the skin of my back. Thus it is clear that the reason why he asked this question was that he was doing ghusl a great deal, which had a harmful effect on his body, because he thought that this came under the heading of janabah. So he asked al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad to ask the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) about the omission of madhiy and what is required of the one who experiences that. ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) only felt too shy to ask the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) because he was the husband of Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). This was a praiseworthy kind of shyness, because it did not prevent him from learning what he did not know and sending someone to ask in his stead.
So al-Miqdad (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) about that, and he told him, “Do wudu’ for it.” Therefore the one who emits madhiy must do wudu’ only, not ghusl. In al-Sahihayn it is narrated that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) instructed him to wash his penis in addition to doing wudu’.
This hadith highlights good conduct with one’s in-laws, and that the husband should not mention anything having to do with intercourse and intimacy with women in the presence of his wife’s father, brother, son and other relatives.
It also highlights the keenness of the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) to find out about issues of purification (taharah) and other Islamic rulings. .

133

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar that a man stood up in the mosque and said: O Messenger of Allah, from where do you instruct us to enter ihram? The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The people of Madinah should enter ihram from Dhul Hulayfah; the people of al-Sham [Greater Syria] should enter ihram from al-Juhfah; and the people of Najd should enter ihram from Qarn.” Ibn ‘Umar said: They claim that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “And the people of Yemen should enter ihram from Yalamlam.” Ibn ‘Umar used to say: I did not learn this from the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)..

Commentary : There are miqats for Hajj, from which the pilgrim must enter ihram; there are rulings concerning them which are explained in detail in the Sunnah of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).
In this hadith, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar tells us that a man stood up in the Prophet’s Mosque and asked the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): From where do you instruct us to enter ihram? In other words, from where should we begin to recite the talbiyah, raising our voices in reciting it, with the intention of entering ihram for Hajj or ‘umrah?
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) instructed the people of Madinah to enter ihram from Dhul Hulayfah, which is a place outside Madinah on the road to Makkah, it is the miqat of the people of Madinah. The distance between it and Makkah is 420 km; therefore it is the furthest of the miqats from Makkah. For the people of al-Sham and those who pass through [their land], the miqat is al-Juhfah, which is located between Makkah and Madinah, at a distance of approximately 190 km from Makkah. It is a village near Rabigh. For the people of Najd and those who pass through [their land], the miqat is Qarn, i.e., Qarn al-Manazil, which nowadays is called al-Sayl al-Kabir. Its location is 55 km north of the city of al-Ta’if; it is 75 km from Makkah. Najd is the land between the Hijaz and Iraq; Najd now forms the centre of the Arabian Peninsula; in the middle of Najd lies the city of Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Najd includes many regions, including Qasim, Sudayr, al-Aflaj, al-Yamamah, al-Washm and others.
Then Ibn ‘Umar stated that he did not know that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) instructed the people of Yemen to enter ihram from Yalamlam, which is a mountain to the south of Makkah, 85 km away.
This hadith highlights the keenness of the Sahabah to convey the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in the manner he said them, even if they did not understand some of what he said. .

134

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that a man asked him: What may the muhrim (pilgrim in ihram) wear? He said: “He should not wear a chemise, or a turban, or trousers, or a burnouse, or any garment that has been dyed with safflower or saffron. If he cannot find sandals, then let him wear khuffs (a kind of leather footwear that covers the ankle) but let him cut them down so that they come below the ankles.”.

Commentary : Islamic teachings explain the rulings of ihram for Hajj and ‘umrah, which includes the clothing that it is prescribed for the muhrim to wear and the rulings concerning it. In this hadith, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a man asked the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): What may the muhrim wear? So the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) explained what it is not permissible for the muhrim to wear, and that he should not wear a turban, which is wrapped around the head and is the same size as the head and made to fit it, because it comes under the heading of a garment that is made to fit; or a chemise, which is what covers the upper part of the body and is made to fit its shape; or trousers, which are worn instead of the izar (waist-wrapper) to cover the lower half of the body; or a burnouse, which is a garment with a hood to cover the head, because it is made to fit the body. The guideline on these prohibited things is that any garment that is made to fit the body and may be worn without having to wrap it and tie it should not be worn by the muhrim.
He should not wear any garment that has been dyed with safflower, which is a plant that has a good fragrance, or with saffron, which is a kind of perfume. The prohibition here is on wearing garments that have been dyed with safflower or saffron. Then the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) stated that it is permissible for the muhrim to wear khuffs after cutting off their tops, if he cannot find any sandals, so as to leave the ankles bare. The khuff is a kind of footwear made of thin leather that covers the ankles and more.
Although the man’s question was about what the muhrim may wear, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) mentioned in his answer what could be limited instead of what could not be limited, in order to be concise and brief, because the questioner asked about what may be worn, but the answer has to do with what may not be worn, since the basic principle is that things are permissible, and if he had listed what may be worn, it would have taken too long. In fact there was the fear that the one who heard that might misinterpret what he heard, and think that it applied only to the muhrim. Moreover, what matters here is what is not allowed, not what it is permissible to wear, because there is no particular type of clothing that is required; rather the muhrim is required to avoid a few specific things.
This hadith indicates that an answer may be given in more detail than the questioner asked about, if there is an interest to be served by that..

135

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The prayer of one whose wudu’ was invalidated will not be accepted until he does wudu’.” A man from Hadramawt asked: What could invalidate wudu’, O Abu Hurayrah? He said: Breaking wind, either silently or loudly. .

Commentary : This hadith discusses what invalidates wudu. The one whose wudu’ is invalidated is not allowed to do anything for which wudu’ is required, such as praying. Purifying oneself after wudu’ has been invalidated is a condition of prayer being valid.
In this hadith, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) tells us that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The prayer of one whose wudu’ was invalidated will not be accepted until he does wudu’.” In other words, until he purifies himself with water. Anyone who prays when his wudu’ has been invalidated, his prayer will not be accepted and it is not valid. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) explained what invalidates wudu’ in this hadith as breaking wind, either silently or loudly; in both cases, it refers to wind being expelled from the back passage. However, this is not the only thing that invalidates wudu’, as urination and defecation both invalidate wudu’ too, and they also come under the heading of minor impurity. Janabah and having intercourse also invalidate wudu’, but they come under the heading of major impurity; and there are other things that invalidate wudu’. He only mentioned one of the things that invalidate wudu’, because he was answering someone who asked him about one whose wudu’ is invalidated whilst he is praying, so he gave an answer concerning one who is praying and finds that his wudu’ is invalidated involuntarily, because urination, defecation and touching do not usually happen when praying. This is similar to the case in which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) told the one who is not sure whether his wudu’ became invalid whilst he was praying: “One should not stop [praying] unless he hears a sound or notices a smell,” because this is the usual way in which a person’s wudu’ may become invalid whilst praying, and it cannot be imagined that any of the other cases would be applicable in prayer. It is as if he answered the questioner with regard to something of which he was unaware, or with regard to what he needed to know in most cases, or what often happens when praying..

136

It was narrated that Nu‘aym al-Mujmir said: I climbed up to the top of the mosque with Abu Hurayrah and he did wudu’, then he said: I heard the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) say: “Indeed my ummah will be called on the Day of Resurrection with bright faces and limbs, because of the traces of wudu’.” So whoever among you is able to expand the area of his face that will shine, let him do so..

Commentary : Allah (may He be exalted) has ordained for the believers characteristics and features by which they will be distinguished from others in the hereafter, and by which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) will recognize his followers on the Day of Resurrection, as signs of faith and Islam, such as the traces of wudu’, which will appear in the form of light that will be visible on the parts of the body that are washed in wudu’.
In this hadith, Nu‘aym al-Mujmir narrates that he climbed up to the roof of the Prophet’s Mosque with Abu Hurayrah, who did wudu’ in a complete and thorough manner, giving each part its due share of water and washing. Then he told him that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had given the glad tidings to his ummah who responded to his call, that Allah (may He be exalted) would give them a distinct sign on the Day of Resurrection and would call them before all people with shining faces and limbs, because of the traces of wudu’. The word translated here as shining faces refers to white markings on the forehead [of a horse]; what is meant here is the light that will appear on the faces of the ummah of Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). The word translated here as shining limbs refers to white markings on the legs [of a horse]; what is meant here is also light, for wudu’ leaves traces on the face, legs and arms that will be white and light on the Day of Resurrection. This is something that will be unique to this ummah among all other nations. Because wudu’ leaves these traces, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) advised people to expand this brightness, as he said: So whoever among you is able to expand the area of his face that will shine, let him do so. So he should expand the brightness of his face and limbs. He mentioned the brightness on the face only, because it also implies brightness on the limbs. And it was said that he mentioned the brightness on the face only, to the exclusion of the limbs, because the face is the noblest part that is washed in wudu’ and it is what is first seen and noticed in a person. However the report narrated by Muslim mentions both, as it says: “Let him expand the area of his face and limbs that will shine.”.

137

It was narrated from ‘Abbad ibn Tamim, from his paternal uncle, that a man complained to the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) who sometimes thought that he felt something whilst praying. He said: “One should not stop [praying] unless he hears a sound or notices a smell.”.

Commentary : This hadith forms the basis for one of the major fiqhi guidelines, which is that certainty cannot be dispelled by uncertainty. In it, it says that ‘Abdullah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and complained to him that a man may sometimes think that he feels something whilst praying, meaning that he thinks that he has passed wind. But the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) responded by telling him that he should not exit his prayer unless he is certain that he has passed wind, which is when he hears a sound or notices a smell, because he is certain that he was in a state of purity [when he started praying], and that certainty cannot be dispelled because of mere uncertainty; rather he should be certain that his wudu’ has been invalidated and that he has indeed passed wind. Hearing a sound and noticing a smell are mentioned because that is what usually happens when wudu’ is invalidated whilst praying. It cannot be imagined that it would be invalidated in any other way. It is as if he answered the questioner by telling him what he needed to know in most cases, or what usually happens when praying, because urinating, defecating, touching and other things that invalidate wudu’ do not usually happen when one is praying.
It was said that what the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) meant is that one should be certain that wudu’ has been invalidated; he did not mean that he should literally have heard it or smelt it, because wind may come out with no sound and no smell, or there may be something wrong with his hearing or sense of smell, so he does not hear the sound or notice the smell. In that case, the person’s wudu’ is invalidated if he is certain that he has passed wind..

140

It was narrated from ‘Ata’ ibn Yasaar, from Ibn ‘Abbas, that he did wudu’ and washed his face. He scooped up a handful of water, rinsed his mouth with it and rinsed his nose, then he scooped up another handful of water and did like this; he brought up his other hand and washed his face with both hands. Then he scooped up a handful of water and washed his right forearm with it. Then he scooped up another handful of water and washed his left forearm with it. Then he wiped his head. Then he scooped up a handful of water, sprinkled it on his right foot and washed it, then he scooped up another handful of water and washed his foot with it, meaning the left foot. Then he said: This is how I saw the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) doing wudu’..

Commentary : The Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen to follow the Prophet’s Sunnah and to learn it and teach it to the Muslims who came after them in both word and deed. That includes the description of how the Messenger of Allah blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did wudu’.
In this hadith, the scholar of the ummah, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) describes the steps of wudu’ in practical terms. He began by washing his face, but what is meant by the phrase, when he said that he started with the face, is something additional to what is obligatory and what is Sunnah, based on the fact that he mentioned the face a second time, after he mentioned rinsing the mouth with a new handful of water. So he began washing his face by rinsing his mouth, which means moving the water around in the mouth, then spitting it out. Then he rinsed his nose, by sniffing water into the nose then blowing it out, to clean the inside of the nose.
Then he took a handful of water in one hand, then brought up his other hand, and washed his face with it once, using both hands, because one hand may not reach all over the face properly. The definition of the face in terms of length is from the hairline to the chin and beard, and in terms of width it is from one ear to the other. Then he took another handful of water and washed his right forearm with it, up to the elbow, then he took another handful of water and washed his left forearm with it, up to the elbow. Then he wiped his head, and wiping is less than washing. What is meant by the head here is where the hair grows. According to a report narrated by Abu Dawood: Then he took a handful of water, shook it off his hand, then wiped his head. According to another report narrated by Abu Dawood: He wiped his head and ears, inside and out.
Then he took a handful of water and sprinkled it on his right foot, meaning that he poured the water little by little, until he washed his foot. Then he took another handful of water and washed his left foot with it. He washed his feet up to the ankles, as is narrated in the reports. It was said that the reason for mentioning sprinkling, rather than washing, was to highlight how little water is used to wash a part for which it is likely that people would use too much water. This is supported by the words “until he washed it.” This is an indication that what is meant by sprinkling is washing. Then ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, after he finished: This is how I saw the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) doing wudu’. So ‘Abdullah’s wudu’ was a precise imitation of the wudu’ of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and it was done to teach those around him of the Tabi‘in and others who wanted to learn the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).
In this hadith, we see that teaching by doing is more effective than teaching by speaking alone..

142

It was narrated that Anas ibn Malik said: When the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) went to the outhouse, he would say: “O Allah, I seek refuge with You from al-khubthi wa’l-khaba’ith.”.

Commentary : The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) would teach his ummah the prescribed etiquette in all situations, which includes remembering Allah and seeking refuge with Him from the evils of the devils before entering places where people relieve themselves.
In this hadith, Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) went to the outhouse to relieve himself – and outhouse is a word used to refer to any place where people relieve themselves by urinating or defecating – he would offer supplication by saying: O Allah, I seek refuge with You – so I resort to and seek protection with Allah (may He be glorified in exalted) from al-khubthi wa’l-khaba’ith. It was said that what is meant is male and female devils; so that he is seeking refuge from their schemes and their evil, and the whispers and intrusive thoughts that they cast into people’s minds and hearts. It was also suggested that al-khubth refers to evil or disbelief, or that al-khubth refers to the devils and al-khaba’ith refers to sins..

143

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) went to the outhouse, so I brought some water for wudu’ and placed it there for him. He said: “Who placed this here?” He was told [who had done it], and he said: “O Allah, grant him understanding of religion.”.

Commentary : This hadith highlights the virtues of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him). In it, he tells us that he brought water to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) so that he could do wudu’. After he came out of the outhouse – which is a word used to describe any place where people relieve themselves, by urinating or defecating – he asked who had put the water there for him, and he was told that it was Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him). The one who told him that was the maternal aunt of Ibn ‘Abbas, Maymunah (may Allah be pleased with her), because that happened in her house, as is mentioned in the report of Ahmad. The apparent meaning suggests that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did not ask for water; rather Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) took the initiative and hastened to bring the water, because he was a smart and intelligent boy and he used to follow the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). Hence the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed for him and said: “O Allah, grant him understanding of religion,” that is, bless him with understanding and deep insight into matters of religion. This prayer for him to be granted understanding of religion was appropriate, because he had done the right thing, which was indicative of his intelligence. This also indicates that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was happy that he took the initiative of bringing water for him when he went to the outhouse. The blessing of this supplication was demonstrated in ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him), as his knowledge and virtue became well-known, and he was one of the Sahabah who narrated a great deal from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). He narrated approximately one thousand six hundred and sixty hadiths, and ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) consulted him about major issues.
This hadith indicates that one may reward a person by offering supplication for him when he does a favour, offers help or does an act of kindness.
It also indicates that it is prescribed to serve scholars and people of knowledge, and pay attention to their needs, without being instructed to do so..

763

Ibn ‘Abbās reported: I spent the night in the house of my maternal aunt Maymūnah and observed how the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed. He said: He got up and relieved himself. He then washed his face and hands and then went to sleep. Then, he got up and went near the water-skin and loosened its strap and then poured some water in a bowl and inclined it with his hand. He then performed a good ablution between the two extremes and then stood up to pray. I came and stood by his left side. He said: He took hold of me and made me stand on his right side. The prayer of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was completed with thirteen Rak‘ahs. He then slept till he began to snore, and we would know that he was asleep by his snoring. Then, he went out for the prayer and prayed, and he kept saying during his prayer - or his prostration: "O Allah, place light in my heart, light in my hearing, light in my sight, light on my right, light on my left, light in front of me, light behind me, light above me, light below me, and make light for me," or he said: "Make me light." [In a version]: I met Kurayb, and he said: Ibn ‘Abbās reported: I was in the house of my maternal aunt Maymūnah, and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came there... then he narrated the rest of the Hadīth as narrated by Ghundar and said these words: "Make me light," and he was not doubtful..

Commentary : Our Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was the best among people in terms of worshiping his Lord and standing before Him, Exalted be He. And the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen to learn from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and take his Sunnah, apply it, and convey it to those who came after them. ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) was keen on that since he was young.
In this Hadīth, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that he spent the night in the house of his maternal aunt Maymūnah bint al-Hārith, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), and the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was spending the night in her house, in her allocated night. He said: "and I observed how the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed" i.e., he wanted to watch how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would pray in the night. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came into his house after the ‘Ishā’ prayer and talked with his wife for a while and then went to sleep, as related in versions of the Two Sahīh Collections. Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got up and relieved himself and then washed his face and hands. Then, he went to sleep. Then, he got up from sleep once again and headed to the skin, a vessel made of tanned and stitched leather for holding fluids and water - and loosened its strap. Then, he poured water from it in a bowl, which is a spacious and big vessel. So, he placed the water that was in the skin on this bowl so that it would be easier for him to use it. Then, he performed a good ablution between the two extremes, i.e., between what is light and quick and what is deliberate and perfect. It is more probable that he minimized the use of water while washing the body parts of ablution thrice. This is because he described it as good, and so it would not be less than thrice. It is reported in the version of the Two Sahīh Collections that he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered his house after the ‘Ishā’ prayer and went to sleep. Then, he got up and used the Siwāk - a small stick made from the Arak tree - and brushed his teeth and cleansed his mouth, and then he made ablution as he recited the verses that read: {Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth and the alternation of the night and day are signs for people of understanding, those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect upon the creation of the heavens and earth [saying]: "Our Lord, you have not created all this in vain. Glory be to You. Protect us from the punishment of the Fire. Our Lord, whoever You cause to enter the Fire, You have surely disgraced him, and the wrongdoers will have no helpers. Our Lord, we have heard the caller to faith calling, ‘Believe in your Lord,’ so we believed. Our Lord, forgive us our sins, expiate our misdeeds, and cause us to die among the righteous. Our Lord, give us what You have promised us through Your messengers, and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection, for You never break Your promise."} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 190-194] It is reported in a version by Muslim that he recited to the end of the Sūrah.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) began to pray. Shortly thereafter, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) came and stood beside the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) after making ablution like that of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), as reported in the Two Sahīh Collections. He stood on the Prophet's left side. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) held him by the hand, turned him around from behind his back, and made him stand on his right side. This points out and emphasizes how the Imām and the one who is led in prayer should stand when the congregational prayer includes two persons only, even if it is supererogatory.
Then, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) offered thirteen Rak‘ahs as Qiyām al-Layl, praying two Rak‘ahs each and then observing Witr with one Rak‘ah, thus completing thirteen Rak‘ahs.
In a version by Muslim: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) "offered two Rak‘ahs and prolonged the standing, bowing, and prostration therein and then left" after he finished the two Rak‘ahs. "He then slept till he began to snore" i.e., he breathed with a sound. This is an indication of deep sleep. "Then he did that three times," i.e., he got up from sleep and offered two Rak‘ahs and then slept, until he offered in that night "six Rak‘ahs. Meanwhile, he used the Siwāk, performed ablution, recited those verses, and then observed Witr with three Rak'ahs," i.e., he concluded his prayer with Witr consisting of three Rak‘ahs. It was said: This version opposes the other versions of this same Hadīth regarding the sleep between the Rak‘ahs, the repetition of ablution, and the number of Rak‘ahs. He did not mention in other versions the sleep between the Rak‘ahs and the number of Rak‘ahs as thirteen. He probably did not include in this prayer the first two light Rak‘ahs with which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to commence prayer in the night, as explicitly mentioned by Hadīths in the Sahīh Muslim Collection and others. Therefore, he said: "He offered two Rak‘ahs and prolonged therein" indicates that they came after the two light Rak‘ahs. So, the two light Rak‘ahs were followed by the two long Rak‘ahs, and then the six mentioned Rak‘ahs, and then the three Rak‘ahs after them, as mentioned by him; the total became thirteen Rak‘ahs.
After the prayer, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) slept so deeply that a sound coming out with his breathing was heard. Then, his Muezzin Bilāl (may Allah be pleased with him) came to tell and notify him of the Fajr prayer, as demonstrated by the versions in the Two Sahīh Collections. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came out for the Fajr prayer. The versions in the Two Sahīh Collections point out that he did not renew his ablution after waking up. This is particularly reserved for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), for his eyes would sleep but his heart would not, and so his ablution would not be broken.
Then, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) kept supplicating in his prayer or in his prostration. And it is reported in a version by Muslim that he made this supplication while going out for the prayer, saying: "O Allah, place light in my heart" i.e., to enlighten it, grant it the ability to distinguish between the truth and falsehood, protect it from corrupt beliefs, and keep it away from spite, envy, and the like. "Light in my hearing," is to hear what exhorts obedience to You, not disobedience. "Light in my sight," is to keep it away from everything that Allah ordered us to lower our gaze from. In a version by Muslim: "light in my tongue," i.e., so that it becomes keen to mention You and speak the truth and all the good deeds to be performed by the tongue. "Light on my right, light on my left," i.e., on my sides, or in my body parts. "Light in front of me, light behind me, light above me, light below me, and make light for me," i.e., an overall summary of these detailed items. Or he said: "Make me light." By it, he meant a huge light comprising all lights; those that he mentioned here and those he did not mention. So, the light would encompass him and surround him with what preserves him from making mistakes. The intended meaning: clarifying the truth and its light and guiding to it, and that He places in every organ of these organs and in every direction of these directions a light by which he would be guided in following the truth and acting upon it, and it would guide those who want to follow the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the true path; and so that the devil would not have a possibility of influence.
It was said: The light for which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked is the one that would preserve him in this world from sins and draw him closer to the performance of good deeds. It was also said: Rather, it is a light that Allah will grant him on the Day of Judgment. And it was said: It probably combines both, i.e., by the worldly light, he obtains knowledge and guidance, and by the afterlife light, he obtains illumination for the darkness on the Day of Judgment.
In the Hadīth: Mentioning some of the Prophet's peculiar characteristics.
And in it: Resorting to Allah with sincere supplication
And in it: A boy may pass the night in the house of one of his mahrams (non-marriageable female relatives) in the presence of her husband.
And in it: Offering a supererogatory prayer in congregation.

765

Zayd ibn Khālid al-Juhani said: I will definitely watch the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) tonight. He offered two short Rak‘ahs, and then he offered two long, long, long Rak‘ahs. Then, he offered two Rak‘ahs, which were shorter than the two preceding ones. Then, he offered two Rak‘ahs, which were shorter than the two preceding ones. Then, he offered two Rak‘ahs, which were shorter than the two preceding ones. Then, he offered two Rak‘ahs, which were shorter than the two preceding ones. Then, he performed Witr. That was thirteen Rak‘ahs..

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen to know the Prophet's Sunnahs and guidance in all matters and to follow and comply with him in terms of his worship (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Hence, they used to ask about things hidden from them, including his guidance on Qiyām al-Layl.
In this Hadīth, the Companion Zayd ibn Khālid al-Juhani (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that he wanted to know how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed during the night. So, he said to himself: "I will definitely watch" i.e., I will look and observe carefully. This is an affirmation from him that he would adhere to the manner of the Prophet's performance of prayer, i.e., his prayer during the night. He would observe the number of its Rak‘ahs and how long he would stand therein. In the version by Abu Dāwūd: "I rested my head on his threshold, or Fustāt (tent)" i.e., he treated it as a pillow. "Fustāt": a large tent made of hair. The word 'tent' indicates that he was on a journey, for the Prophet's houses were not tents. So, Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) informed that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) offered two short Rak‘ahs, in which he did not stand or recite for long. With such two Rak‘ahs, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to commence Qiyām al-Layl, as their shortness activates the body. Then, "he offered two long, long, long Rak‘ahs," He said it three times to point to their great length. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) offered eight Rak‘ahs, with every two Rak‘ahs being shorter than the two Rak‘ahs that preceded them. Then, he concluded his prayer with one Rak‘ah. It is reported from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) that Witr can be one, three, or five Rak‘ahs and so on. The number of Rak‘ahs performed by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) at that time was thirteen, which is the maximum reported about the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). The minimum reported about him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is seven Rak‘ahs.
Prayer in the night starts after the ‘Ishā’ prayer and extends to shortly before dawn. One is not required to sleep before performing it.
The Hadīth demonstrates the Prophet's diligence in worship and prayer, and how this teaches the Ummah to engage in worship diligently and not to neglect it..

766

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh reported: I was with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) on a journey and we reached a Mashra‘ah (water passage from the river). He said: "O Jābir, will you not engage in Ishrā‘ (drinking water)?" I said: 'Yes.' He said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) then got down and I drank. He said: Then, he went away to relieve himself, and I placed for him water for ablution. He said: Then, he came back and performed ablution, and then stood and prayed in one garment, having its ends tied from the opposite sides. I stood behind him and he caught hold of my ear and made me stand to his right side..

Commentary : This Hadīth demonstrates some of the Prophet's actions during travel, including his clemency towards travelers and riding animals, and points out how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed prayer on some of his journeys. Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) says: "I was with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) on a journey and we reached a Mashra‘ah" i.e., a path for crossing the water from the bank of a river, sea, or the like. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Jābir, will you not engage in Ishrā‘?" Ishrā‘ is to drink with the mouth directly or by taking a handful of water without the use of any tool, like a cup. Taking water with the mouth mostly happens in the case of animals, and people may also drink in this way or take water in their hands. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) urges him to come to the Mashra‘ah and take what he needs of water, drink from it, and water his animals. This shows the Prophet's leniency towards people and animals during travel, so that they can rest, drink, and water their mounts. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got off his mount, and Jābir drank and watered his mount. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went to a remote place to answer the call of nature, urinating and defecating. Meanwhile, Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) prepared water for him for purification and ablution. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) relieved himself, he came and performed ablution. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stood up and prayed in one garment, "having its ends tied from the opposite sides" i.e., he took the end of the garment which he dropped over his right shoulder from underneath his left hand, and its end which he dropped over his left shoulder from underneath his right hand. Then, he tied them over his chest so as to hold the garment and prevent it from falling.
Then, Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) came and stood for prayer behind the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) held Jābir from the tip of his ear, dragged him, and made him stand to his right side. This is how the Imām and the one praying with him should stand when only two persons engage in a congregational prayer, be it obligatory or supererogatory.
The Hadīth mentions praying in one garment.
It demonstrates how the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to serve the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)..

767

‘Ā’ishah reported: When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got up in the night to pray, he would commence his prayer with two light Rak‘ahs..

Commentary : Qiyām al-Layl is the source of honor for the believer. So, a Muslim should be keen to pray in the night, following the Prophet's example. The Prophet's prayer at night was constant, and he would engage in prayer until his feet would swell, in gratitude towards Allah and praise for His blessings.
In this Hadīth, the Mother of the Believers ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) relates that when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got up at night to pray, he would start his prayer with two light Rak‘ahs, in preparation for the prolonged prayer, whose Rak‘ahs were described by ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) in these words: "and do not ask about their beauty and length," as reported in the Two Sahīh Collections. In his Sahīh Collection, Al-Bukhāri narrated that Masrūq ibn al-Ajda‘ reported: I asked ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the night, and she said: "Seven, nine, and eleven Rak‘ahs apart from the two Rak‘ahs of Fajr." Prayer in the night starts after the ‘Ishā’ prayer and extends to shortly before dawn. One is not required to sleep before performing it..

768

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When any of you gets up at night to perform Qiyām al-Layl, let him start his prayer with two short Rak‘ahs.".

Commentary : Qiyām al-Layl is the source of honor for the believer, and its merit is great. It is the best prayer after the obligatory prayers. The pure Shariah encourages its performance and demonstrates its great reward and virtue.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) demonstrates part of the understanding related to Qiyām al-Layl. He informs that when someone wants to perform Qiyām al-Layl, he should commence his prayer with two short Rak‘ahs. This is to break the desire for sleep, and their shortness is more suitable for repelling it, given the successive movements involved therein. Moreover, if he offers long Rak‘ahs at the beginning, this will be heavy for his body, and he will probably reduce his Rak‘ahs of Qiyām al-Layl, due to the heaviness he feels. But if he is gradual in prolonging the prayer, he may become more active and desire to increase the prayer and make it longer, after this gradation. This is because he has prepared his body and activated it with these two Rak‘ahs. It is said: Starting Qiyām al-Layl with two short Rak‘ahs serves to initiate loosening the knots that the devil ties on a person's head after he sleeps, and these knots are completely loosened when the prayer is completed..

770

Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn ‘Awf reported: I asked ‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers, (may Allah be pleased with her): "With what did the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) use to commence his prayer when he got up at night. She said: "When he got up at night, he would commence his prayer with: "Allahumma rabba jibrā’īl wa mikā’īl wa isrāfīl, fātira as-samawāt wa al-ard, ‘ālim al-ghayb wa ash-shahādah, anta tahkumu bayna ‘ibādaka fima kānū fihi yakhtalifūn, ihdini lima ikhtulifa fīhi min al-haqq bi eznik, innaka tahdi man tashā’ ila sirātin mustaqīm" (O Allah, Lord of Gabriel (Jibrīl), Michael (Mikā'īl), and Israfil (Isrāfīl), Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, You judge between Your slaves concerning that over which they used to differ. Guide me, by Your permission, to the truth about which people differed. Verily, You guide whom You will to the straight path)..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray at night as much as Allah willed him to pray, and he adopted certain Sunnahs and ethics in his house. The Tābi‘is were keen to know his worship in detail and would ask about the acts of worship the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform at home so that they could follow his guidance and adhere to his Sunnah.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn ‘Awf asked ‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers: With what words or deeds did the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) use to commence his prayer when he got up at night? In other words, how would he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commence the prayer? In response, she told him that when he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got up at night, he would commence his prayer with this supplication: "O Allah, Lord of Gabriel, Michael, and Israfil," i.e., I supplicate to You, my Lord, and the Lord of all that is great, such as those great angels, and You are Greater than them and than all Your creation. It befits You to answer supplications. Those particular angels are singled out due to their great status. Gabriel is the angel entrusted with revelation, and Michael is the angel in charge of rains, plants, and provisions, and he occupies a great status and high rank and is honorable in the sight of Allah Almighty. He has assistants who apply what he commands them with the order of his Almighty Lord. And Isrāfīl is the angel entrusted with blowing the Trumpet at the command of his Lord, the blow of panic and swooning, and the blow for standing before the Lord of the worlds.
If a person knows the status of the angels, those great and noble creatures, and knows their traits, he will know the greatness of their Creator, Exalted be He, and His great power and dominion. Indeed, the greatness of a created being stems from the greatness of the Creator. He will also give thanks to Him for His care about His servants, as He entrusted some of those angels with preserving them, supplicating for Allah's forgiveness for them, and recording their deeds. Also, he who knows the angels and genuinely believes in them and will love them for what they do, as they worship Allah Almighty and obey Him in the perfect manner, and they ask for Allah's forgiveness for the believers, supporting them, and so on.
"Originator of the heavens and the earth," i.e., their Creator and Maker. "Knower of the unseen and the seen," i.e., I supplicate to You, O Knower of the unseen and the seen, for You know what is hidden from Your servants and what is apparent and visible to them. "You judge," i.e., You judge with reward and punishment. "on the Day of Judgment between Your slaves concerning that over which they used to differ" regarding the matter of religion in this worldly life. You punish the sinners, if You will, and reward the obedient ones. People differed after they had been following the Fitrah of Islam (natural disposition), and then the prophets and messengers came to guide them. They differed over the path of guidance and the straight path with which they came, and that is the truth from their Lord.
"Guide me, by Your permission, to the truth about which people differed," i.e., make me steadfast and increase me in guidance to the straight path which the prophets and messengers called to, by Your help and facilitation. "Verily, You guide whom You will to the straight path," which is the path of the truth that has no crookedness in it. This is the religion of Islam with which Allah sent Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and it was called 'path' because it leads to the destination just as a real path does. This phrase serves as a reason for asking Him for guidance, i.e., because You guide whomever You will. This supplication represents complete humbleness before Allah Almighty.
In the Hadīth: Clarifying the dhikr with which Qiyām al-Layl is commenced
And in it: Pointing out that a person should ask Allah Almighty to guide him to the true path
And in it: Clarifying that guidance lies in the Hand of Allah Almighty; none can grant it except Him, Exalted be He.

771

‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib reported: When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) got up to pray, he would say: "I have turned my face to the One Who created the heavens and the earth, in exclusive devotion, and I am not one of the polytheists. Verily, my prayer, my Nusuk (worship, sacrifice), my life, and my death are for Allah, the Lord of the worlds; there is no partner with Him, and this is what I have been commanded (to profess and believe), and I am of the Muslims. O Allah, You are the Sovereign, there is no god but You. You are my Lord, and I am Your slave. I have wronged myself and I have admitted my sin; so, forgive all my sins, for no one can forgive sins but You. Guide me to the best of morals, for no one can guide to them but You, and turn away from me the worst of morals, for no one can deliver me from them but You. Here I am, in answer to Your call, in support of Your command. All goodness lies in Your Hands and evil does not stem from You. I exist by You and I turn to You. Blessed and Exalted are You. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You." When he bowed, he would say: "O Allah, it is for You that I bowed, it is in You that I believed, and it is to You that I submitted. Humbled to You are my hearing, my eyesight, my brain, my bones, and my sinew." When he rose from bowing, he would say: "O Allah, our Lord, praise is due to You, (praise) that fills the heavens and the earth, that fills what exists between them, and that fills anything You wish afterward." When he prostrated, he would say: “O Allah, it is to You that I prostrated myself, it is in You that I believed, and it is to You that I submitted. My face has prostrated to the One Who created it, shaped it, and split open its faculties of hearing and seeing. Blessed is Allah, the best of Creators." Then, one of the last things he would say between the Tashahhud and Taslīm is: "O Allah, forgive my past and future sins, my hidden and apparent sins, my transgression, and the sins that You know of more than I do. You are the One Who puts forward and the One Who holds back. There is no god but You.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) loved prayer and used to offer a lot of voluntary and supererogatory prayers during the day and night, and he adopted certain Sunnahs and etiquettes related to prayer. The Prophet's Companions were keen to know his worship in detail, so that they could follow his guidance and adhere to his Sunnah.
In this Hadīth, ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that when the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got up to offer the obligatory or supererogatory prayer, he would supplicate to Allah Almighty with what is known as the opening supplication, which lies between the Takbīr of Ihrām (Takbīr at the start of prayer) and the recitation of Surat al-Fātihah. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to say in his supplication: "I have turned my face," i.e., I sincerely devoted my worship to Allah Who "created the heavens and the earth," i.e., He originated their creation without a precedent example. In all this, I am Hanīf (upright, exclusively devoted), turning away from Shirk (polytheism) towards Tawhīd (monotheism). Among the Arabs, a Hanīf person would refer to one who followed the religion of Abraham (Ibrāhīm) (peace be upon him), and this is Islam. Then, he further demonstrated and clarified the meaning of Hanīf, saying: "and I am not one of the polytheists." I do not associate anything as a partner with Allah, and I am not one of those described as polytheists. The word polytheist is used to refer to every disbeliever, including idol worshipers, Jews, Christians, Magians, and others.
Then, he supplicated, saying: "Verily, my prayer" which I perform. Prayer is a comprehensive term that refers to Takbīr, recitation, bowing, prostration, Tashahhud, and others. "my Nusuk", which is worship. Nasīkah is everything that brings closeness to Allah Almighty, and it is used to refer to sacrifice by which one draws close to Allah Almighty. A Nāsik is one who sincerely devotes his worship to Allah Almighty. Also, "my life and my death are for Allah," for He is the One Who created and predestined them, or He is the Possessor and Disposer of them. No one else has any control over them. And it was said: The righteous acts in life and the good things that follow death, like a will or managing affairs, or the worship I perform during my life and the condition in which I die, are sincerely devoted to the Countenance of Allah. "the Lord of the worlds," for He is the One Who possesses them, raises them, and reforms and manages their affairs. There is no partner with Him in His dominion. And I have been commanded regarding all of this - to embrace complete Tawhīd (monotheism) that comprises sincerity in words and beliefs. And I am one of the Muslims who submit to Allah's command, yield to Him in obedience, and acknowledge all these attributes of Allah Almighty. This is an affirmation of the meanings of Tawhīd and acceptance of the religion of Allah Almighty.
Then, he praised Allah Almighty, acknowledged his own sin, and asked Him for forgiveness, saying: "O Allah, You are the Sovereign," i.e., the real Owner of all creatures. "and I am Your slave," acknowledging that You are my Owner and the Disposer of my affairs, and Your judgment regarding me is surely executed. "I have wronged myself and I have admitted my sin," i.e., I have wronged myself by falling short in fulfilling Your rights, and I have admitted this shortcoming. "so, forgive all my sins," i.e., O Lord, pardon my shortcomings. "for no one forgives sins but You." This is an admission and acknowledgment of the attribute of forgiveness for Allah alone. In this, he acknowledged his shortcomings and mentioned that before asking for forgiveness, out of politeness, as Adam and Eve (peace be upon both of them) said: {Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves; if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 23]
Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Guide me to the best of morals," i.e., direct me to the most perfect and most excellent morals, enable me to adopt them, and make me steadfast upon them. "for none can guide to them but You." Guidance lies in Your Hand alone. The hearts of people are between two of the Fingers of the Most Compassionate, and He overturns them as He wishes. "and turn away from me the worst of morals," i.e., keep me away from ugly and reprehensible manners. "for none can deliver me from them but You." This is an acknowledgment that Allah Almighty alone is the One Who can repel the Divine Decree and keep the worst of them from His servants.
Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Here I am, in answer to Your call," i.e., I persist in obedience to You and compliance with Your command in a repeated manner. "in support of Your command," i.e., supporting Your command one time after another and following Your religion one time after another. "All goodness lies in Your Hands". This is an acknowledgment that all goodness that reaches the servants or hoped to reach them does actually lie in the Hands of Allah, Exalted be He. "and evil does not stem from You". Evil is not attributed to You. Or evil is not committed to attain closeness to You. Or evil does not ascend to You. Rather, it is good speech that ascends. Then, he said: "I exist by You and I turn to You," i.e., my success is through You, and I take refuge in You and belong to You; or I exist by You creating me and my return is to You; or upon You I rely, and to You I turn for refuge.
"Blessed and Exalted are You." This is praise for Allah Almighty involving two things: The first is 'Blessed'; this is because Allah Almighty is the Most Worthy of blessing. The word 'blessed' means: Your favors are plentiful, overwhelming, and reachable to all creation. Indeed, the blessing is plentiful and enduring favors and goodness. The second is 'Exalted'; it comes from exaltedness in essence and attributes. Indeed, Allah Almighty is Exalted by His essence and by His attributes. He is Exalted by His essence above all creation, and His exaltedness is an innate, timeless, and eternal attribute. Then, he said: "I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You," i.e., I ask You to forgive me and eliminate my sins. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to open his prayer with this great supplication.
And when he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) bowed, he would say in his Rukū‘: "O Allah, it is for You that I bowed." You alone, and I do not bow to any human being or any of Your creation. "it is in You that I believed" in Your sacred essence, excellent names, and sublime attributes. "and it is to You that I submitted," i.e., I humbled myself and surrendered, or I turned my face to You in sincere devotion. "Humbled," i.e., obedient and surrendered to You "are my hearing, my eyesight." He singled them out from among all senses because most evils are committed by them. When we humble ourselves, the insinuations decrease. Also, humbled to You are "my brain, my bones, and my sinew." Sinew: it connects and ties the joints with the bones. They are more delicate than bones.
When he rose from bowing and said, "Allah hears whoever praises Him," he would say thereafter: "O Allah, our Lord, praise is due to You, (praise) that fills the heavens and the earth, that fills what exists between them, and that fills anything You desire afterward." It means: I turn to You, O Allah, with complete praise that befits Your blessings and favors, as many as You will. This is meant for the quantity of numbers. If praise were material objects, then due to You is praise that fills the heavens and the earth, that fills what exists between them. It was said: This refers to the scrolls in which praises are recorded. "and that fills anything You desire afterward," i.e., that fills what is beyond the heavens and the earth, as You will, which is not known to the people. This is intended for teaching the Prophet's Ummah, for Allah Almighty already forgave his past and future sins.
Then, when he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prostrated himself, he would say during his prostration: "O Allah, it is to You that I prostrated myself, it is in You that I believed, and it is to You that I submitted. My face has prostrated to the One Who created it," i.e., it yielded, humbled itself, and submitted to Allah Almighty. He singled out the face from among all the body parts used in prostration because it is the noblest among them, as Allah Almighty is the One Who shaped it and split open its faculties of hearing and seeing. So, the One Who created this face, put in it features by which it is identified, and split open in it eyes and ears and gave them discernment through seeing and hearing is the One worthy of worship, prostration, and submission. "Blessed is Allah": Extolled, Glorified, and Exalted far above, for He is the Creator Who alone brought everything out of nothing into existence and gave His creation the best shape, and He, Exalted be He, is "the best of all creators," who fashion and give due proportions.
"Then", after he finished bowing and prostration," one of the last things he would say between the Tashahhud and Taslīm is: "O Allah, forgive my past" sins, "and my future" deeds. It was said: What I did before the Prophethood and what I did thereafter. It was also said: The future things in Your knowledge which You predestined for me. And it was said: It means: If a sin is committed by me in the future, make it connected to Your forgiveness. Indeed, the pursuit of forgiveness before the commission of sins aims at forgiving a sin if it is committed. "my hidden and apparent sins," i.e., forgive all my sins, for they are: either past or future, and hidden or apparent; and forgive me. "my transgression" when I exceed the bounds. "and the sins that You know of more than I do": My sins which I do not know, in terms of their number and rulings. "You are the One Who puts forward and the One Who holds back": No one can put forward what You hold back or hold back what You put forward. "There is no god but You": No one is truly worthy of worship except You, Exalted be You. We are not capable of enumerating the praise of You. You are as You have praised Yourself. So, he concluded with this praise of Allah Almighty, which is the word of Tawhīd and the word of sincere devotion.
This is a Hadīth that comprises a lot of ath-kaar that are to be said in some positions in prayer, namely the commencement, bowing, and prostration.
In the Hadīth: It was part of the Prophet's guidance to say the opening supplication.
And in it: The dhikr to be said during bowing, prostration, and after rising from bowing, and the supplication before Taslīm.
And in it: teaching politeness in extending praise to Allah Almighty, that we should ascribe to Him only the good things, not the bad ones, out of politeness..

772

Hudhayfah reported: I prayed with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) once at night and he started reciting Surat al-Baqarah. I thought that he would bow in Rukū‘ at the end of one hundred verses, but he continued. I thought that he would probably recite it (the Surah) in one Rak‘ah, but he continued. I thought he would perhaps bow in Rukū‘ on completing (this Surah). He then started reciting Surat an-Nisā’ and read it all, and then he started reciting Surat Āl ‘Imrān and read it all. He was reciting slowly; when he came across a verse containing Tasbīh (glorifying Allah), he would glorify, and when he came across asking, he would ask, and when he came across seeking refuge, he would seek refuge. Then, he bowed in Rukū‘ and said: "Subhān rabbiya al-‘azhīm" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Majestic). His bowing lasted nearly the same length of time as his standing. Upon rising from Rukū‘, he said: "Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah" (Allah hears whoever praises Him). He then remained standing nearly the same length of time as he had spent bowing. He then prostrated and said: "Subhān rabbiya al-a‘la" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High), and his prostration lasted nearly the same length of time as his standing. Another version adds: "Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah; rabbana laka al-hamd" (Allah listens to he who praises Him; praise be to You, Our Lord)..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) liked standing before his Lord, and so he used to prolong the prayer and perfect it by long recitation, bowing, prostration, and supplication. His prayer was also marked by humility, submissiveness, and subservience before Allah Almighty.
In this Hadīth, Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamān (may Allah be pleased with him) says that he performed Qiyām al-Layl one night with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He said that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) started his recitation after Surat al-Fātihah with Surat al-Baqarah. Hudhayfah thought that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would bow after reciting one hundred verses, but he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went past one hundred verses. So, Hudhayfah thought that he would probably recite Surat al-Baqarah in one Rak‘ah, but he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) continued the recitation after finishing Surat al-Baqarah and started reciting Surat an-Nisā’ and read it all. Then, he started reciting Surat Āl ‘Imrān and read it all. This stems from his prolongation of the prayer and the excellence of recitation in Qiyām al-Layl. This prolongation and this manner in this prayer was probably done by him at a time that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) happened to particularly enjoy what he was up to and was so engrossed therein away from anything else. This accords with his statement in the agreed-upon Hadīth: "If any of you leads the people in prayer, let him shorten it, because among them are the weak, the sick, and the elderly people. And if any of you prays alone, let him prolong as much as he wishes."
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was "reciting slowly," i.e., unhurriedly, and deliberately. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would glorify Allah, by saying "Suhān Allah", when he came across a verse containing Tasbīh. And when he came across a verse that urges the asking of Allah Almighty, he would ask of Him. In a version by Abu Dāwūd: "And he did not come across a verse of mercy except that he would pause at it and make supplication." "and when he came across [a verse] seeking refuge," as the verse mentions Hellfire or contains a threat, "he would seek refuge" with Allah and resort to Him for salvation from His punishment. This all adds to the length of the prayer.
After all that, he bowed in Rukū‘. "and he said: 'Subhān rabbiya al-‘azhīm' (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Majestic)." He adopted this wording in Tasbīh, and it means: We glorify Allah Almighty and praise Him for His greatness. This is an exaltation of Allah Who possesses this attribute. "His bowing lasted about the same length of time as his standing," i.e., the duration of bowing. He stayed therein for nearly the same length of time he had spent standing. Then, he rose from bowing and said: "Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah" (Allah hears whoever praises Him). This is an informative sentence in the sense of a supplication. In other words: O Allah, answer the supplication of he who praises You. Another version adds: "Rabbana laka al-hamd" (praise be to You, Our Lord). This is one of the best supplications and forms of gratitude to Allah Almighty.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) remained standing nearly the same length of time as he had spent in bowing - before descending to prostrate. "He then prostrated and said: 'Subhān rabbiya al-a‘la' (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High)." He reserved this dhikr and praise for prostration, and it means: Glorifying the Almighty Sovereign and exalting Him above any imperfection. This is the exaltation of Allah Who possesses the attribute of exaltedness.
In the Hadīth: Demonstrating how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed Qiyām al-Layl in terms of the length of the prayer and recitation and the prolongation of bowing, prostration, and standing.
And in it: Considering the meanings of the verses and pausing to make supplications in accordance with their content, during the prayer..

778

Jābir reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When one of you performs the prayer in his mosque, he should leave a portion of his prayer for his house, for indeed Allah puts goodness in his house on account of his prayer.".

Commentary : Prayer is of great significance in the life of a Muslim. So, he should regularly perform it and fulfill its Sunnahs and pillars in the required manner, and he should perform a lot of voluntary prayers, for they compensate for any shortcomings in the obligatory ones. He should also keep a portion of goodness for his house by offering supererogatory prayers therein.
This Hadīth contains Prophetic guidance and education, as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) instructed us: When a Muslim performs the obligatory prayer in the mosque, "he should leave a portion of his prayer for his house," i.e., he should offer some of them in his house. This refers to supererogatory prayers. This is because prayer at home is more hidden and farther away from show-off, and so that the house may be blessed on account of that, and mercy and angels descend in it, and the devil runs away from it. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that Allah puts goodness in the house of this performer of supererogatory prayers on account of his prayers; this goodness encompasses his wife and children and brings blessing to their sustenance and life spans and an increase in their guidance and piety, and the house is filled with dhikr and worship, and the angels descend to supplicate for the inhabitants of the house and ask for Allah's forgiveness for them..

779

Abu Mūsa reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The house in which Allah is mentioned and the house in which Allah is not mentioned are like the living and the dead.".

Commentary : In the mentioning of Allah lies the life and vigor of people's souls, and in its abandonment lies slackness, idleness, and lethargy. The houses of Muslims should be protected against the devil, be filled with light, and blessing. This can be achieved by performing acts of worship therein, like dhikr, prayer, supplication, and so on.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) holds a comparison between two types of houses, to make the matter easier to understand. One type is a house where Allah is mentioned, and the other is a house where Allah is not mentioned. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) points out that the house where Allah is mentioned is "like the living," i.e., a sound and healthy person, as his inner being shines with Imān (faith) and his outward appearance is adorned with the light of worship. People love him, and they seek support and benefit from him. On the other hand, the house where Allah is not mentioned is like the dead, i.e., like a corpse. No one approaches it, and there is no good in it or use of it. Its inside is false, and its outside is defective.
The meaning of this Hadīth can be an example for houses and those who live therein. The houses where Allah is mentioned abound with a life of Imān, blessing, and goodness for their inhabitants. By contrast, the houses where Allah is not mentioned are desolate like graves, and their inhabitants only go to them for sleep, which is a minor death. They are devoid of goodness and blessing, even if what appears to people is contrary to that.
Also, the meaning may appropriately apply to the inhabitants of houses, namely human beings. Whoever mentions Allah, his heart becomes alive and the impact of that manifests in him. Thus, he becomes useful in this world and the Hereafter. As for a person who does not mention Allah, his heart is lifeless and devoid of Imān and the effects of an Imān-oriented life. He is like a dead person whose deeds come to a halt and cannot obtain any good from his worldly life. This is supported by the version by Al-Bukhāri: "The one who mentions Allah and the one who does not mention Allah are like the living and the dead."
In the Hadīth: Urging remembrance of Allah Almighty at home, and that our houses should not be devoid of it.

780

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not turn your houses into graves. Indeed, Satan runs away from the house in which Surat al-Baqarah is recited.".

Commentary : The houses of Muslims should be protected against the devil, filled with light, and blessing. This can be achieved by performing acts of worship therein, like dhikr, prayer, supplication, recitation of the Qur'an, and so on. Recitation of the Qur'an brings goodness and blessing to the place where it takes place, for the Qur'an is the extended rope of Allah, which contains tranquility of the soul and expels the devils from the houses where it is recited, particularly Surat al-Baqarah.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says: "Do not turn your houses into graves," i.e., do not make them similar to the graves, devoid of dhikr and worship, and allocate for them a share of the recitation of the Qur'an and prayer. It is narrated in the Two Sahīh Collections that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Perform some of your prayers in your houses, and do not turn them into graves."
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that the devil flees and runs away from the house where Surat al-Baqarah is recited, because he despairs of alluring the inhabitants of that house due to the blessing of this Surah, or because he sees their seriousness and diligence regarding religion and worship. When the Qur'an in general is recited in a house, it becomes spacious for its inhabitants, its blessings increase, it gets frequented by the angels, and the devils are expelled from it. On the other hand, when the Qur'an is not recited in a house, it becomes straitened for its inhabitants, its blessings decrease, the angels run away from it, and the devils visit it.
The Hadīth indicates the merit of Surat al-Baqarah and its superiority to other Surahs, and it is indeed superior, for it combines Shar‘i rulings more than any other Surah of the Qur'an. It contains the characteristics of the believers, the traits of the hypocrites, an explanation of the stories of the Children of Israel, the forbiddance of sorcery and usury, and mentions of the Qiblah, prayer, fasting, Hajj, ‘Umrah, divorce, waiting periods, debts, conditions, mortgage, and legal retribution, as well as other rulings.
In the Hadīth: Urging recitation of the Qur'an and a lot of dhikr in the houses
And in it: Informing people that the Qur'an and dhikr make houses and hearts alive and populated..

787

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When one of you gets up to pray at night and the Qur'an becomes difficult for his tongue, and he is unaware of what he is reciting, he should lie down.".

Commentary : Qiyām al-Layl is the source of honor for the believer, and it has great merit. Hence, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) urged its regular observance and that a person should engage in it while in a state of activeness and vigor, for this is more beneficial and appropriate.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentions that when a Muslim gets up to perform a supererogatory prayer or recite the Qur'an during the night, "and the Qur'an becomes difficult for his tongue," i.e., it becomes hard for his tongue, and he cannot recite it in a correct manner that accurately conveys its words and meanings, due to heavy sleepiness, to the extent that he is not aware of what he is reciting from the Qur'an, and he will probably fall into some distortion or error. If this happens, he should go to sleep and not pray or recite the Qur'an while in this condition. He should take a rest until his vigor is restored to him.
So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) urged his Ummah to perform acts of worship that do not put them in hardship, while acceptance of their worship lies with Allah. This comes from Allah's mercy towards the Muslim Ummah, as He removed undue restrictions and difficulties from them in their worship, and He wanted ease for them, not hardship. Allah Almighty says: {Allah wants ease for you and does not want hardship for you.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 185] Allah Almighty also says: {Allah does not burden any soul greater than it can bear.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 286]
In the Hadīth: Urging us to come to prayer while in a state of humility, focus, and activeness.

802

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Would any one of you, when he returns to his family, like to find three large, fat, and pregnant she-camels?" We said: 'Yes.' He said: "Three verses that one of you recites in his prayer are better for him than three large, fat, and pregnant she-camels.".

Commentary : Recitation of the Qur'an brings goodness and blessing, for it is the extended rope of Allah, and it affords tranquility of the soul and abundance of rewards, and it leads to salvation on the Day of Judgment. If the recitation is in prayer, the merit becomes greater and the reward more abundant.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked his Companions: "Would any one of you like, when he returns to his family," i.e., when he returns home, where his wife and children are, to find in their place or house "three pregnant she-camels?" A "khalifah" is a pregnant she-camel. It used to be one of the most precious properties among the Arabs. and 'large' and 'fat'. If a she-camel is also large and fat, it becomes even dearer. They replied to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the affirmative, by the necessity of nature and looking forward to the reward. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed them that reciting three verses in prayer is better than the three pregnant she-camels. The reward for the recitation of three verses in prayer is better and more meritorious than the reward for possessing those she-camels. This is because the recitation of three verses belongs to the enduring good things that are beneficial in the Hereafter, whereas the she-camels are among the supplementary and transient things in the world. He mentioned three verses because this is the minimum number to form a plural number. Yet, this matter is not limited to reciting three verses only. Rather, the more verses a worshiper recites in his prayer, the greater the reward he will get in proportion to their number.
In the Hadīth: Urging recitation of the Qur'an in prayer.

803

‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came out while we were in As-Suffah and asked: "Which of you would like to go out every morning to But'hān or Al-‘Aqīq and bring two large-humped she-camels without being guilty of sin or severing ties of kinship?" We replied: "O Messenger of Allah, we would like that." He said: "Does not one of you go out in the morning to the mosque and learn or recite two verses of the Book of Allah Almighty? That is better for him than two she-camels, and three verses are better for him than three she-camels, and four verses are better for him than four she-camels, and so on.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach his Companions the merit of the noble Qur'an and demonstrate the reward for learning, teaching, and reciting it.
In this Hadīth, ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to them while they were sitting in As-Suffah, a shaded area in the Prophet's Mosque, where the poor Muhājirūn (Immigrants) used to take refuge. He asked them: "Which of you would like to go out every morning to But'hān", a place near Madīnah that stretches from its south to its west, "or to Al-‘Aqīq", a valley in Madīnah whose water gathers from Al-‘Aqīq area, which is located more than 100km to the south of Madīnah and it stretches to its outskirts. He mentioned But'hān and Al-‘Aqīq in particular because they were the closest places to Madīnah where camel markets were held. "and bring two large-humped she-camels"; he mentioned such camels as an example because they are among the most precious property to the Arabs; and that he will gain the two she-camels without being guilty of sin such as stealing or severing kinship ties with them? The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) replied that they would like and love that. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to those who want to obtain this goodness: "Does not any of you go out in the morning to the mosque", going there early, "and learn or recite two verses of the Book of Allah Almighty? That is better for him than two she-camels" i.e., the goodness that stems from learning two verses or reciting them is better in the sight of Allah than obtaining two she-camels and the benefit to be gained through them. Likewise, three verses are better than three she-camels, and four verses are better than four she-camels. His words "and so on" mean that if he learns or recites more verses, he will get what is better than the same number of she-camels. This indicates that learning the Qur'an is better than the pursuit of wealth, as a general rule; and this is more so when a person has a lot of free time.
The Hadīth points out the merit of seeking knowledge and the merit of learning the Qur'an.
It demonstrates how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to preach to his Companions and guide them. Leaders should learn from this and follow the Prophet's example in dealing with their subjects..

804

Abu ’Umāmah al-Bāhili reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Recite the Qur'an, for it will come as an intercessor on the Day of Judgment for its reciters. Recite the two illuminating ones: Surat al-Baqarah and Surat Āl ‘Imrān, for they will come as if they were two clouds, two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks defending their reciters. Recite Surat al-Baqarah, for reading it is a blessing; abandoning it is a cause of regret, and the Batalah (sorcerers) cannot handle it." Mu‘āwiyah said: It has been conveyed to me that the Batalah are sorcerers. [In a version]: But he said, "As if they were" regarding both of them, and did not mention the statement of Mu'wiyah: "It has been conveyed to me.".

Commentary : Recitation of the Qur'an brings goodness and blessing for those who recite it and comply with it, for it is the extended rope of Allah. And it affords tranquility of the soul and abundance of rewards, leads to salvation on the Day of Judgment, and provides protection against magicians in the worldly life, particularly Surat al-Baqarah and Surat Āl ‘Imrān.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) urges the recitation of the Qur'an and commands doing so persistently. And he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that the Qur'an will be embodied in a form seen by the people on the Day of Judgment, as Allah will give people's deeds a form and weight so that they will be placed on the scale. The Qur'an will intercede for those who recite and act upon it and plead for them before Allah Almighty, seeking forgiveness for them and that they be saved from Hellfire and admitted into Paradise, or that their ranks in Paradise be elevated.
He repeated the word 'recite' to urge the recitation of certain Surahs and to emphasize their special merit regarding intercession. His words are: "the two illuminating ones" refer to Surat al-Baqarah and Surat Āl ‘Imrān which were called as such because they are two lights, or because of the abundance of the lights of the Shar‘i rulings and the excellent names therein. Undoubtedly, the light of the speech of Allah is greater and brighter, and each Surah in the Qur'an is an illuminating one, given the rulings and admonitions contained in it and because it provides healing for the chests, illumination for the hearts, and multiplication of the rewards for its reciters. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) singled out the recitation of Surat al-Baqarah and Surat Āl ‘Imrān to demonstrate their high status and affirm their special merit regarding intercession for those who persistently recite them and act upon what they contain. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that they will be embodied and take a specific form and appear as if they were "two clouds" that will shade their companion from the heat of this situation of standing. Clouds are given this name because they cloud and conceal the sky. "or two shades." A "ghayāyah" or shade is anything that provides a person with a cover above his head, like a cloud and so on. "or two flocks," i.e., two groups or parties, "of birds in ranks." This is a flock of birds extending their wings and being linked to one another. The intended meaning is that they will protect their receiver from the heat of this situation of standing and the distress of the Day of Judgment. Also, they will push against Hellfire and its keepers, or plead for intercession for him, or when he is questioned, when his tongue does not speak, his lips are sealed, and his arguments are lost.
His words: "Reciting Surat al-Baqarah" constitutes a specification in addition to the previous specification. He first mentioned the Qur'an as a whole, and then singled out the two illuminating Surahs, and then singled out Surat al-Baqarah from both of them. This indicates its high status and great merit. He said: "for taking it" - by persistently reciting it, pondering its meanings, and acting upon what it contains - "is a blessing," i.e., increase, growth, and a great benefit for its reciter. "abandoning it is regret," i.e., deploring and feeling sorrowful over the missed reward. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that "the Batalah," i.e., the sorcerers, cannot overcome it. This means that they cannot recite it because of their deviation from the truth and engrossment in falsehood; or that they cannot repel it and penetrate its protection for he who recites and memorizes it, as it shields its reciter and memorizer from magic. It was said: The "Batalah" refers to idle and lethargic people, for they cannot memorize or recite it due to its length, whereas they are prone to laziness. Another version uses 'and' not 'or': "and as if they were two shades, and as if they were two flocks of birds in ranks." Reconciling the two versions, the 'or' in the first version is not used for doubt, giving choices in likening the two Surahs, or hesitation. Rather, it is for diversification and division of the reciters, for a group of them will see the two Surahs as two clouds, another group will see them as two shades, and another group as two flocks of birds stretching out their wings.
In the Hadīth: Urging the recitation of the Qur'an, the merit of Surat al-Baqarah and Surat Āl ‘Imrān, and the significance of Surat al-Baqarah in particular..

Book of Hadith

| Hadiths