Narrated ‘Amr: “We asked Ibn ‘Umar (ra), ‘What do you say concerning a man who has sexual intercourse with his wife in ‘Umrah before doing the rite of brisk walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah?’” He replied, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺcame to perform ‘Umrah and performed the seven rounds of Tawaaf, thereafter, he performed two units of prayer behind the standing-place (Maqaam) of Ibraaheem (peace be upon him), and then he performed “Tawaaf” (i.e., Sa’ee) between al-Safaa and al-Marwah.” Thereafter, he (ra) said, “(Verily, you have an excellent example to follow in the Messenger of Allah).” ‘Amr says, “I asked Jaabir bin ‘Abdullah (ra) about this, he answered, ‘He may not approach his wife [for sexual intercourse] until he has completed “Tawaaf” (i.e., brisk walking) between al-Safaa and Marwah.’”
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Commentary : The Taabi’oon (the generation of Muslims who followed the Companions) used to inquire from the Companions (ras) about that which they did not understand from religion and acts of worship. They were the most eager among the people to know and learn the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee ‘Amr bin Deenaar reports that some people asked 'Abdullah bin Umar (ra) whether it is permissible for a man to have intercourse with his wife while performing ‘Umrah, before performing the rite of brisk walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah? The basic principle states that sexual intercourse not only is among the prohibited actions during the state of Ihraam, but also among the severest of them. Only after completing all the rites of ‘Umrah and existing Ihraam, one can have intercourse with wife and enjoy all that was prohibited during Ihraam. Ibn ‘Umar (ra) mentioned that the Prophet ﷺcame to Makkah and performed the seven rounds of Tawaaf, then he ﷺoffered two units of prayer behind the Maqaam of Ibraheem, then he proceeded to perform the rite of brisk walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah, and he further commented, “Verily, there is an excellent example for you in the Messenger of Allah,” [Al-Ahzaab: 21] - he meant thereby to inform that the Prophet ﷺnever did any of what the inquired asked about before completing the brisk walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah.
The rationale of interpreting this hadeeth is that the Prophet ﷺmade the ‘Umrah a one act of worship that consists of different parts, namely the Tawaaf, praying behind the Maqaam and the brisk walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah. These are the parts of ‘Umrah. With that said, it is not allowed for a man to have sexual intercourse with his wife during any of these parts.
‘Amr ibn Deenaar asked Jaabir bin ‘Abdullah (ra) concerning this and to which he replied: “A man should not approach his wife [for sexual intimacy] until he performs the brisk walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah and completes his ‘Umrah, including all its rites and shaves his head or cuts from his hair. Thereafter it is permissible for him to exit from Ihraam and do whatever is permissible for him.
From the benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is learning the permissibility of using the word ‘Tawaaf’ [in Arabic] to denote the rite of brisk walking between the al-Safaa and al-Marwah..

1626

Narrated Umm Salamah (raa), the wife of the Prophet ﷺ: The Messenger of Allah ﷺtold her, while he was in Makkah and intended to exit, whereas Umm Salamah had not performed the Tawaaf of the House yet and she also intended to exit. The Messenger of Allah told her, “When the morning prayer is established, then you perform Tawaaf on your camel whilst people are praying.” She did that and she did not pray until she left..

Commentary : Islam is the religion of tolerance and alleviation from hardships, and the concessions given to the sick and those with excuses in the acts of Hajj and ‘Umrah are just a part of it.
In this hadeeth, Umm Salamah (raa) reports that she could not perform the farewell Tawaaf (Tawaaf al-Wadaa’) because she was ill, as the narration of al-Bukhaaree clarifies. When the Prophet ﷺintended to depart Makkah, she mentioned to him that she is ill and because of which she had not performed the Tawaaf yet. The Prophet ﷺcommanded her, once the Fajr prayer starts, to perform the Tawaaf on her camel behind the people who are offering the prayer. Hence, she did that.
Umm Salamah (raa) performed the two units’ prayer of Tawaaf only after she exited the Sacred Mosque or Makkah. However, offering the two units’ prayer behind the Maqaam of Ibraaheem is better.
From the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is the permissibility of performing Tawaaf while mounting a ride if the person is unable to walk due to illness.
The hadeeth shows that women should perform Tawaaf behind the men so as they do not intermingle with them, as that is more concealing (private) for them.
It also shows that one who performs Tawaaf during the congregational prayers due to a valid excuse, then he should only perform Tawaaf behind the people so as to avoiding disturbing them..

1628

Narrated ‘Aaishah (raa): A group of people performed Tawaaf after the Fajr prayer, thereafter, they sat towards a preacher, until when the sun rose, they stood up for prayers. ‘Aaishah (raa) added: “They sat down until it was the time during which it is undesired to offer prayer, they stood up for prayers.”
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Commentary : The companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, may Allah be pleased with him would orient those who came after them to adopt the correct religion and the authentic Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, ‘Aaishah (raa) reports that a group of people performed Tawaaf after the morning prayers, thereafter, they sat towards the preacher, listening to his sermon and reminders. She meant thereby the place of sermon, which could have been the Hijr of Ismaa’eel or the Black Stone. She explained that they remained there until the sunrise time in which prayers are prohibited. Thereafter, they stood up to perform the Sunnah of the Tawaaf at the prohibited time for prayers.
‘Aaishah (raa) condemned their behaviour and found it strange that they delayed the prayer until the time was up for the prayers to be prohibited at the sunrise and before its ascent! It seems as if the mentioned people were intending that time, hence, they postponed the prayers until that time intentionally. For this reason, ‘Aaishah (raa) criticised them in the case where she perceived that the two units’ prayer of Tawaaf are not disliked at the prohibited times. There is a possibility that she understood the prohibition to pray at such time is applicable to all cases.
This hadeeth shows that we are not permitted to offer prayers at the time right after the sunrise..

1629

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (ra): “I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) prohibit the prayers at the sunrise and sunset.”
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Commentary : The Prophet ﷺwas eager in protecting the creed of the Muslims, hence, he ﷺprohibited prayers at specific times; to refrain from emulating the polytheists who prostrate to the sun.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (ra) reports that the Prophet ﷺprohibited from pursuing the prayers at the time of sunrise and sunset, especially the voluntary prayers. With that said, a person should not offer prayers at the time of sunrise until the sun rises to the length of a spear which is nearly equivalent to a quarter or one third of the full hour. Also, one should not perform prayers at the time of sunset until the sun is fully set, that is, ten minutes before maghrib until the time of the Maghrib prayers enters.
In general terms, the prohibition is at the sunrise and sunset and the times that are closer to them, because that is the time in which sun-worshippers prayed and because it is the time in which the Satan gets closer to the sun and thus it becomes between his two horns. This prohibition, however, is specific to the voluntary and supererogatory prayers and not the obligatory ones, such as one who delays his ‘Asr to that time. In that respect, he can pray at the time of prohibition. It is said that the prohibition of offering prayers at these specific times refers to postponing the obligatory prayers for no excuse, to the extent that it is prayed closer to the sunrise or sunset.
From the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is learning about the forbidden prayer times..

1630

Narrated ‘Abdul ‘Azeez bin Rufay’: “I saw ‘Abdullah bin al-Zubayr (ra) performing Tawaaf after Fajr and offering a two-units-prayer.” ‘Abdul ‘Azeez mentions, “I saw ‘Abdullah bin al-Zubayr offering a two-units-prayer after ‘Asr.” He related that ‘Aaishah (raa) informed that that the Prophet (ﷺ) never entered her house but he offered them (the two units-prayer.) .

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺclarified the times during which praying is permissible and the times during which praying is prohibited.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee ‘Abdul ‘Azees bin Rufay’ reports that he saw ‘Abdullah bin al-Zubayr bin al-’Awwaam (ras) offering a two-units-prayer after he completed the Tawaaf after the Fajr prayer.
‘Abdul ‘Azees then reports that he again saw ‘Abdullah bin al-Zubair (ra) offering a two-units-prayer after the ‘Asr prayer. This is the time wherein it is disliked to offer prayers. However, ‘Abdullah used to inform the people that ‘Aaishah (raa) told him that whenever the Prophet ﷺentered her house, he used to offer a two-units prayer. It has been stated that the Prophet ﷺprayed it to make up for the two Sunnah prayers of Thuhr when he missed them, thereafter he remained persistent in this act. This is because whenever he ﷺdid an act, he would continue doing it and that it is a part of his unique characteristics, and they are not among the Sunnah prayers affixed to the daily obligatory prayers. ‘Aaishah (raa) narrated how the Prophet ﷺprayed it. It is reported on the authority of ‘Aaishah (raa) that the Prophet ﷺused to offer them and did not offer them in the mosque, fearing that he does not overburden his nation [thereby].” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree].
There are many other narrations wherein the Prophet ﷺprohibited offering [voluntary] prayers after ‘Asr. It is reported on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (ra) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺprohibited offering prayers after ‘Asr until Maghrib.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim]. It is said that it only proves the prohibition being associated with being “after” and it does not prove its generality. Hence, the meaning is at the time of Maghrib and the time closer to it. It is said: The prohibition from praying at this time denotes the forbiddance of postponing the obligatory prayers without any excuse until it falls into the proximity of sunset. .

1634

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (ra): ‘Al-’Abbaas bin 'Abdul Muttalib asked permission from the Prophet (ﷺ) to stay at Makkah during the nights of Mina in order to provide drinking water (from Zamzam) to the pilgrims, and the Prophet (ﷺ) allowed him.’.

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺexplained to us the rulings pertaining to the Hajj and ‘Umrah and clarified what is allowed to do and what is not allowed.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (ra) reports that al-‘Abbaas bin ‘Abdul Muttalib (ra) sought permission from the Prophet ﷺto reside at night in Makkah during the nights of Mina, namely the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth nights of Dhu al-Hijjah. This is because the Sunnah is for the pilgrims to spend those nights in Mina, which is a valley surrounded by the mountains, situated towards the east of Makkah on the route between Makkah and the Mount of ‘Arafaat, and it is approximately six kilometers away from the Sacred Mosque, and it is the location of where the rite of throwing pebbles.
The reason for al-‘Abbaas staying at Makkah at night was to provide water for the pilgrims, because they would ask for water of Zamzam at night. They (the service providers) would draw the water out of the well and would pour it into the reservoir from which the pilgrims would drink it. The Prophet ﷺallowed him to stay. Al-‘Abbaas (ra) was responsible for providing water to pilgrims during the time of pre-Islam, and the Prophet ﷺaffirmed that for him. Hence, this service remains for the family of al-‘Abbaas forever.
It can be understood from this hadeeth that staying at night at Mina is forfeited for those providing water for the pilgrims and those who fall under the same rule among those having excuses. This exemption demonstrates the easement of the Islamic law. .

1635

Narrated ibn ‘Abbaas (ra): Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) came to the drinking place and asked for water. Al-Abbaas (ra) said, "O Fadl! Go to your mother and bring water from her for Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Give me [from this] water to drink." Al-Abbaas (ra) said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! The people put their hands in it." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) again said, 'Give me water to drink. So, he drank from that water and then went to the Zamzam (well) and there the people were offering water to the others and working at it (drawing water from the well). The Prophet (ﷺ) then said to them, "Carry on! You are doing a good deed." Then he said, "Were I not afraid that other people would compete with you (in drawing water from Zamzam), I would certainly take the rope and put it over this (i.e., his shoulder) (to draw water)." On saying that the Prophet (ﷺ) pointed to his shoulder..

Commentary : The Messenger of Allah ﷺwas a great example in humbleness and engaging with people. He ﷺlived like them and refrained from distinguishing himself with anything that Allah has not distinguished him with.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas (ra) reports that in the Farewell Hajj, which was in the 10th year of Hijrah, and after having performed the Tawaaf of Ifaadah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺwent to the place where water is provided for pilgrims. This place serves pilgrims during the Hajj season and others throughout the year, and it is located close to the well of Zamzam. When he ﷺarrived there, he asked for water from his uncle, al-‘Abbaas(ra). However, as it was the habit of people to put their hands into the ponds of water provision, al-‘Abbaas asked his son, al-Fadl to go to his mother, Umm al-Fadl, whose full name is Lubaabah bint al-Haarith al-Hilaaliyyah, to bring clean water for the Messenger of Allah ﷺfrom her. The Prophet ﷺrepeated his request to drink from the present place of water from where people drink. Thus, he gave him the water and he drank it.
Thereafter, the Prophet ﷺproceeded to the well of Zamzam where the water was drawn from the well and then poured into the ponds so pilgrims and people can drink from it. The Messenger of Allah ﷺremarked to the people who were working in the site, “Carry on! You are doing a good deed,” – that is providing the pilgrim with water. To show the virtue of their work, he ﷺexplained that he would have participated in the work but if he did so then a great number of people will show up in drawing water with the intention to follow the Prophet ﷺ.
From the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is one may refuse receiving better service and generosity when there is a higher interest that opposes it. just as what the Prophet ﷺdid due to the interest of humbleness that appeared on him.
It also encourages us to provide water to people, especially, the Zamzam water..

1636

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (ra) from Aboo Tharr (ra): Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The roof of my house was made open while I was at Makkah and Jibreel descended. He opened up my chest and washed it with the water of Zamzam. Then, he brought the golden tray full of wisdom and Imaan and poured it in my chest and then closed it. Then he took hold of my hand and ascended to the nearest heaven. Jibreel told the gatekeeper of the nearest heaven to open the gate. The gatekeeper asked, "Who is it?" Jibreel replied, "I am Jibreel.".

Commentary : Allah, Exalted be He, protected His Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, purified him, and looked after him since he was born.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Tharr (ra) reports that Prophet ﷺrelated an incident that occurred to him before his emigration from Makkah. He ﷺ mentioned that while he was at his house, angel Jibreel descended from the sky and entered from the roof of his house after it split open. Then, Jibreel descended upon the Prophet ﷺand opened his noble chest. Thereafter, he washed it with the Zamzam water to comfort him due to the virtue of the water of Zamzam. It is said that the wisdom behind washing his noble heart with Zamzam water was to enable his heart to witness the dominions of heavens and earth, Paradise and Hellfire, because from the characteristics of the Zamzam water is that it fortifies the heart and calms the panic.
Then, angel Jibreel brought a tray of gold, a wide tray containing wisdom and Imaan, then he poured the contents into his noble chest and closed it as it was before. After that, he took hold of the Prophet’s hand and ascended with him to the lowest heaven during the trip of Mi’raaj. Upon reaching the lowest heaven, Jibreel requested the gatekeeper and the guard of the lowest heaven to open for him. However, the guard, before opening the gate, he asked who he was, so he informed him that he is Jibreel (peace be upon him) and so he opened
From the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is learning about the virtue of the water of Zamzam.
It also shows one of the events that are from the unseen that the Prophet ﷺrelated, and that is among the signs of his Prophethood..

1637

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra): I gave Zamzam water to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and he drank it while standing. `Aasim (a sub-narrator) said that `Ikrimah took the oath that on that day the Prophet (ﷺ) had not been standing but riding a camel..

Commentary : The Companions (ras) transmitted all what they saw of the actions and statements of the Prophet # during the Farewell Hajj.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas (ra) reports that he gave the Messenger of Allah Zamzam water, and that he ﷺdrank from that water standing.
‘Aasim, a sub-narrator of the hadeeth, mentions that ‘Ikrimah, the freed slave of Ibn ‘Abbaas, swore that the Prophet ﷺwas actually riding his camel when he drank the Zamzam water. It is said that the oath of ‘Ikrimah was based on what he learnt about the prohibition of the Prophet ﷺ of drinking water standing. The statement of ‘Ikrimah has also another dimension that aligns with the wording of the hadeeth i.e., the Arabs use the word standing to describe the one riding on a camel when he halts at a point, meaning, that he is riding on it and the camel is standing. On that ground, the hadeeth does not indicate that he ﷺdrank water standing on his feet, rather, it is possible that he was sitting on his camel.
However, it is reported that ‘Alee (ra) drank the Zamzam water standing and said, “I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺdoing as what you saw me doing.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree] This is an explicit statement concerning the drinking of the Prophet ﷺstanding on his feet. It is possible though that this was to clarify the permissibility.
The hadeeth benefits the permissibility of drinking whilst standing..

1639

Narrated Naafi’: `Abdullah the son of Ibn `Umar (ra) entered the house of his father where he saw his camel being prepared for travelling. He said, "I fear that this year, a battle might take place between the people, and you might be prevented from going to the Ka`bah. I suggest that you should stay here." Ibn `Umar said, "Once Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) set out for the pilgrimage, and the pagans of Quraysh intervened between him and the Ka`bah. So, if the people intervened between me and the Ka`bah, I would do the same as Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had done . {Verily, in Allah's Messenger you have a good example.} [Quran 33:21]. Then he added, "I make you a witness that I have intended to perform Hajj along with `Umrah." After arriving at Makkah, Ibn `Umar (ra) performed one Tawaaf only.
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Commentary : Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it is an act of worship reserved for those who have the means and capacity to perform it. All its rites and actions are learned from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, Naafi’, the freed slave of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (ra), reports that ‘Abdullah, the son of ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar, entered upon his father, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (ra). He noticed that he had his camel which he rides in his travelling prepared. It was because Ibn ‘Umar (ra) intended to perform Hajj and prepared his camel to ride on it and set out to Makkah. However, ‘Abdullah, the son, was worried about the safety of his father and feared upon him lest a fight breaks out that year between the Muslims, that they may prevent him from visiting the Ka’bah. This event occurred in the year seventy-two of the Hijrah when al-Hajjaaj bin Yusuf al-Thaqafee came on the orders of ‘Abd al-Maalik ibn al-Marwaan to fight ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr in Makkah. So, Ibn ‘Umar (ra) answered his son saying that the Messenger of Allah ﷺdid once set out, and the disbelievers of Quraysh prevented him from reaching the Ka’bah. This happened in the sixth year of the Hijrah when he ﷺreturned from his ‘Umrah and he made the treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah. He ﷺexited his Ihraam by slaughtering the animal and shaving the head accompanied by making intention therein.
For this reason, Ibn ‘Umar (ra) informed his son that if he was denied access to Makkah, and it was impossible for him to reach it, then he will do exactly as what the Messenger of Allah ﷺdid when he ﷺwas prevented from reaching the Ka’bah i.e., he will exit his Ihraam at the place where the Prophet ﷺwas prevented. Then, he (ra) recited the ayah: {Certainly, there is an excellent example for you in the Messenger of Allah.} [Quran 33:21]. Then, he (ra) made them witnesses that he intended to perform Hajj along with ‘Umrah. He did not suffice doing this by just making intention, instead, he intended to announce for those who would like to follow him.
‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar continued to say that his father (Ibn ‘Umar) performed one set of Tawaaf for both the Hajj and ‘Umrah after standing at ‘Arafah. It is said that it the Tawaaf mentioned here refers to both the rites of Tawaaf and the brisk walking between al-Safaa and Marwah, which is known as the Tawaaf of Hajj al-Qiraan that only requires doing them for one time. The one who performs Hajj al-Qiraan confines to the rites of Hajj, as the acts and rites of ‘Umrah are incorporated into the rites of Hajj. As such, the one doing Hajj al-Qiraan can only exit from the Ihraam on the day of sacrifice, the tenth day of Thoo al-Hijjah.
From the benefits we learn from the hadeeth is the importance of leaving to perform the rites of Hajj despite suspecting fear on the way if one hopes to find safety.
The hadeeth shows the keen interest of Ibn ‘Umar (ra) to follow the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺand his attempt to follow his example in all his actions. .

1640

Narrated Naafi’: Ibn `Umar (ra) intended to perform Hajj in the year when Al-Hajjaaj attacked Ibn Al-Zubayr. Somebody said to Ibn `Umar (ra), "There is a danger of an impending war between them." Ibn `Umar recited, {Verily, in Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) you have a good example.} If it happened as you say, then I would do the same as Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had done. I make you witness that I have decided to perform `Umrah." Then he set out and when he reached Al-Baydaa', he said, "The rites and ceremonies of both Hajj and `Umrah are similar. I make you witness that I have made Hajj compulsory for me along with `Umrah." He drove (to Makkah) a Hady which he had bought from (a place called) Qudayd and did not do more than that. He did not slaughter the Hady or finish his Ihraam, or shave or cut his hair till the day of slaughtering the sacrifices (10th Dhu al-Hijjah). Then he slaughtered his Hady and shaved his head and considered the first Tawaaf (between al-Safaa and al-Marwah) as sufficient for Hajj and `Umrah. Ibn `Umar said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) did the same.".

Commentary : Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it is an act of worship reserved for those who have the means and capacity to perform it. All its rites and actions are learned from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, Naafi’, the freed slave of Ibn ‘Umar, reports that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (ra) wanted to perform Hajj in the year when al-Hajjaaj marched on Ibn al-Zubayr. This happened in the year seventy-two of the Hijrah, when al-Hajjaaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafee marched on the orders of ‘Abdul Malik ibn Marwaan in order to fight ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr in Makkah. Ibn ‘Umar (ra) made a firm intention to perform Hajj in that year. It was feared on him that the fighters might prevent him and refuse him to visit the Sacred House. In response, he recited the ayah, {Certainly, there is an excellent example for you in the Messenger of Allah,} [Quran 33:21] and made clear that he would do exactly as the Messenger of Allah ﷺdid previously [during the treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah].
Then, he made them witnesses that he has imposed the rites of ‘Umrah upon himself initially, then he made Hajj and ‘Umrah obligatory upon himself at the outskirts of al-Baydaa’. Linguistically, al-Baydaa’ stands for a desert that is barren. However, here, it means a location above the two landmarks of Dhoo al-Hulayfah when it ascended from the valley. On the outskirts of al-Baydaa’ there is a water well, and the place is about 420 km away from Makkah. He drove with him a sacrificial animal which he bought on the way at Qudayd, a place close to al-Juhfah. It is a water area in al-Hijaaz, located between Makkah and al-Madeenah. It is a place outside the sanctuary of the Haram, though it is within the Meeqaat zone. It is 150 km away from Makkah in the north-eastern side of it.
Ibn ‘Umar (ra) did not slaughter his sacrificial animal [before its due time on the grounds of any emergency], nor did he undo part of his conditions of Ihraam, neither did he shave his head nor did he have a haircut until the day of sacrifice (Day of Nahr) approached, that is the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah. He then sacrificed the animal and shaved his head. He viewed that he had accomplished both the Tawaaf of Hajj and ‘Umrah with his initial single Tawaaf, as the person who performs Hajj al-Qiraan confines on the rites of Hajj and the rites of ‘Umrah are incorporated into the rites of Hajj. The pilgrim in this case continues in Ihraam and he only exits it on the Day of Sacrifice.
From the benefits that can be concluded in this hadeeth is the permissibility of heading towards the rites of Hajj despite anticipating fear when safety is assured.
This hadeeth highlights the staunch following of Ibn ‘Umar (ra) of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah and following his footsteps in all actions and deeds..

1641

Narrated Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Nawfal al-Qurashee: I asked `Urwah ibn al-Zubayr (regarding the Hajj of the Prophet (ﷺ). `Urwah replied, "Aaishah (raa) informed me, 'When the Prophet (ﷺ) reached Makkah, the first thing he started with was the ablution, then he performed Tawaaf round the Ka`bah and his intention was not `Umrah alone (but Hajj and `Umrah together).' " Later Abu Bakr performed the Hajj and the first thing he started with was Tawaaf round the Ka`bah and it was not `Umrah alone (but Hajj and `Umrah together). And then `Umar (ra) did the same. Then `Uthman (ra) performed the Hajj and the first thing he started with was Tawaaf round the Ka`bah and it was not `Umrah alone. And then Mu’aawiyah and `Abdullah ibn `Umar (ras) did the same. Then, I performed Hajj with my father al-Zubayr and the first thing he started with was Tawaaf round the Ka`bah and it was not `Umrah alone. Then I saw the Emigrants and Ansaar doing the same and it was not `Umrah alone. And the last person I saw doing the same was Ibn `Umar (ra), and he did not do another `Umrah after finishing the first. Now here is Ibn `Umar present amongst the people! They neither ask him nor anyone of the previous ones. And all these people, on entering Makkah, would not start with anything unless they had performed Tawaaf round the Ka`bah, and would not finish their Ihraam. And no doubt, I saw my mother and my aunt, on entering Makkah doing nothing before performing Tawaaf round the Ka`bah, and they would not finish their lhraam. .

Commentary : Hajj is an act of worship that cannot be sanctioned except on the basis of textual evidence from the Quran or the Sunnah to that effect. The Companions (ras) transmitted the details of this worship as they saw it and performed it with the Prophet ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, a Taabi’ee by the name of ‘Urwah ibn al-Zubayr reports that his maternal aunt ‘Aaishah (raa), the Mother of the Believers, informed him that during the Farewell Hajj which the Prophet ﷺin the tenth year of the Hijrah, the first thing when he came to Makkah was that he performed ablution, then, he did circumambulate seven times around the Ka’bah as part of Tawaaf al-Qudoom (Tawaaf of Arrival). Thereafter, there was not a standalone ‘Umrah after the Tawaaf. That is because the Prophet ﷺdid not interrupt his Hajj by having an independent ‘Umrah beforehand due to his driving of the sacrificial animal with him. As for the Companions who did not drive with them the sacrificial animals, he ﷺcommanded them to interrupt their Hajj by performing a standalone ‘Umrah and to perform Hajj at-Tamattu’. As for the ones who had driven their animals for sacrifice, they incorporated the ‘Umrah into the Hajj rites and performed Hajj al-Qiraan.
Thereafter, ‘Urwah bin al-Zubayr mentioned that he had performed Hajj with Aboo Bakr, ‘Umar and, Uthmaan (ras). The first thing that they started with was the Tawaaf around the Ka’bah, known as Tawaaf al-Qudoom. Thereafter, there was no standalone ‘Umrah, neither did they perform brisk walking between the Safaa and al-Marwah, nor did they benefit from the ‘Umrah [by exiting the Ihraam] whilst waiting for the Hajj. ‘Urwah goes on to add that after this, the Caliph Mu’aawiyah bin Aboo Sufyaan and ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (ras) as well as his father did the same.
‘Urwah states further that he also saw the Emigrants as well as the Ansaar doing the same, that is, commencing with Tawaaf. After this, he relates that the last person he saw doing this was ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (ra). He explained that the first thing that the latter started with during arrival was performing Tawaaf al-Quddom around the Ka’bah. And he did not interrupt his Hajj by sufficing first with a completed ‘Umrah.
Then, ‘Urawah revealed his shock that despite Ibn ‘Umar (ra) being alive amidst the people, yet they have failed to ask him about this issue, neither have they bothered to ask the previous pious predecessors regarding it who would inform them that they only commenced Tawaaf al-Quddom upon their arrival. And they did never exit from their state of Ihraam, rather they remained in the state of Ihraam until completing all the rites of Hajj. Furthermore, ‘Urwah mentioned that his mother, Asmaa’ bin Aboo Bakr and his maternal aunt ‘Aaisha (may Allah be pleased with them), both did the same like the Emigrants and the Ansaar. They would initiate with performing the Tawaaf of the Ka’bah and they would not interrupt the Hajj by initially completing the whole ‘Umrah.
From the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is learning about the importance of performing Tawaaf al-Quddom and the fact that the Companions implemented it after seeing the Prophet ﷺdoing it.
This hadeeth shows that the actions of the righteous caliphs and the pious predecessors can be used as evidence.
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1643

Narrated ‘Urwah: I asked `Aaishah (raa): "How do you interpret the statement of Allah: {Verily! (the mountains) Al-Safaa and Al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah, and whoever performs the Hajj to the Ka`bah or performs `Umrah, it is not harmful for him to perform Tawaaf between them (Al-Safaa and al-Marwah.) (Quran 2:158). By Allah! (it is evident from this revelation) there is no harm if one does not perform Tawaaf between Al-Safaa and al-Marwah." `Aaisha said, "O, my nephew! Your interpretation is not true. Had this interpretation of yours been correct, the statement of Allah should have been, 'It is not harmful for him if he does not perform Tawaaf between them.' But in fact, this ayah was revealed concerning the Ansaar who used to assume lhraam for worshipping an idol called "Manaat" which they used to worship at a place called Al-Mushallal before they embraced Islam, and whoever assumed Ihraam (for the idol), would consider it not right to perform Tawaaf between al-Safaa and al-Marwah. When they embraced Islam, they asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) regarding it, saying, "O Allah's Messenger! We used to refrain from Tawaaf between al-Safaa and al-Marwah." So, Allah revealed: {Verily; (the mountains) As-Safa and Al-Marwa are among the symbols of Allah.} " ‘Aaishah (raa) added, "Surely, Allah's Messenger set the tradition of Tawaaf between al-Safaa and al-Marwah, so nobody is allowed to omit the Tawaaf between them."
I told Aboo Bakr ibn `Abd al-Rahmaan of `Aaishah's narration and he said, 'I have not heard of such knowledge, but I heard learned men saying that all the people, except those whom `Aaishah (raa) mentioned and who used to assume lhraam for the sake of Manaat, used to perform Tawaaf between al-Safaa and al-Marwah. When Allah referred to the Tawaaf of the Ka`bah and did not mention Al-Safaa and al-Marwah in the Quran, the people asked, 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! We used to perform Tawaaf between Al-Safaa and al-Marwah and Allah has revealed (the ayaat concerning) Tawaaf of the Ka`bah and has not mentioned Al-Safaa and al-Marwah. Is there any harm if we perform Tawaaf between Al-Safaa and al-Marwah?' So, Allah revealed: {Verily As-Safa and Al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.} Aboo Bakr said, "I heard that this ayah was revealed concerning the two groups, those who used to refrain from Tawaaf between Al-Safaa and al-Marwah in the Pre- Islamic Period and those who used to perform the Tawaaf then, and after embracing Islam, they refrained from the Tawaaf between them as Allah had enjoined Tawaaf of the Ka`bah and did not mention Tawaaf(of Al-Safaa and al-Marwah) till later, after mentioning the Tawaaf of the Ka`bah.'.

Commentary : Hajj is an act of worship that cannot be sanctioned except on the basis of textual evidence from the Quran or the Sunnah to that effect. The Companions (ras) transmitted to us all the details of this worship as they saw it and performed it with the Prophet ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee ‘Urwah ibn al-Zubayr reports that he asked his maternal aunt, ‘Aaishah (raa), the Mother of the Believers, about the meaning of the ayah: {{Verily! (the mountains) Al-Safaa and Al-Marwah, are among the symbols of Allah, and whoever performs the Hajj to the Ka`bah or performs `Umrah, it is not harmful for him to perform Tawaaf between them (Al-Safaa and al-Marwah.) (Quran 2:158). He wanted to verify his interpretation of the ayah i.e., he understood it to mean that pilgrims are not obliged to perform the rite of brisk walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah. She told him that he erred in his interpretation of the ayah and explained that it was revealed concerning the Ansaar because before entering Islam, they used to travel to worship an idol called "Manaat", located at Al-Mushallal, which is a mountain between Makkah and al-Madeenah and from which people would descend to Qudayd. They used to believe that brisk walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah is a great sin because it contained two idols – Isaaf and Naa’ilah - that other people worshipped, and they despised those two idols. However, after embracing Islam, the Ansaar asked the Prophet ﷺabout it so Allah revealed the ayah to clarify that the brisk walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah is not a sin as they used to think, because it is from the rites that Allah has dictated in Hajj and ‘Umrah.
Al-Zuhree said: I related the hadeeth of ‘Aaishah (raa) to Aboo Bakr ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmaan and he liked it. Then, he remarked that he was not aware of this knowledge before, but he heard some people of knowledge saying otherwise. He explained that they did not limit the cause of revelation to the Ansaar who used to refrain from performing the brisk walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah, but that it was about those who used to assume lhraam for the sake of Manaat and would perform the brisk walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah. However, as Allah, Exalted be He, mentioned the Tawaaf of the Ka`bah and did not mention Al-Safaa and al-Marwah in the Quran, the people went to the Prophet ﷺand mentioned that they used to perform the rite of walking between Al-Safaa and al-Marwah, but the ayah that Allah revealed only mentioned Tawaaf round the Ka`bah and did not mention the rite of brisk walking between Al-Safaa and al-Marwah. So, they were concerned if it is sinful to keep doing it. The reason they had such concern was because they presumed it was from the practices of people before Islam. Thereupon, Allah revealed: {Verily As-Safa and Al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.}
Aboo Bakr then added that he heard that this ayah was about both groups, the Ansaar who used to refrain from doing it before Islam and the other group who used to practise it before Islam.
This hadeeth shows the importance of discussing and studying knowledge between scholars and their students to correct any misunderstanding.

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1648

Narrated ‘Aasim: I asked Anas bin Maalik (ra): "Did you use to dislike to perform Tawaaf between al-Safaa and al-Marwah?" He said, "Yes, as it was of the ceremonies of the days of the Pre-Islamic period of ignorance, till Allah revealed: {Verily! (The two mountains) As-Safa and Al-Marwa are among the symbols of Allah. It is therefore no sin for him who performs the pilgrimage to the Ka`bah, or performs `Umrah, to perform Tawaaf between them.} " (2.158).

Commentary : The Companions (ras) would teach the people the matters of their religion just like how they have learned it directly from the Prophet ﷺ. Hence, they would answer their questions and correct any misconception and misunderstanding.

In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee, ‘Aasim ibn Sulaymaan al-Ahwal reports that he asked Anas ibn Maalik (ra) whether the Companions used to dislike performing the rite of walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah? He answered that the Muslims disliked it at the beginning because it was one of the ritual ceremonies that disbelievers practiced before Islam to worship idols. However, after Allah revealed the ayah: {Verily! (The two mountains) As-Safa and Al-Marwa are among the symbols of Allah. It is therefore no sin for him who performs the pilgrimage to the Ka`bah, or performs `Umrah, to perform Tawaaf between them.} " (Quran 2:158), people stopped to dislike it as they came to know that it is not as they presumed, and that it is from the rites of Allah that He legislated to be part of the actions of Hajj and ‘Umrah. Not to mention, the Prophet ﷺlegislated that people perform it.
From the benefits of the hadeeth is learning about the importance of scholars and their students reviewing and studying knowledge. .

1649

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra): The Messenger of Allah ﷺperformed the Tawaaf round the Ka’bah and rite of walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah to display his strength to the disbelievers..

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺconcluded the treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah with Quraysh in the 6th year of Hijrah. One of the agreed-on conditions was that the Muslims would go back this year without entering Makkah, but next year they would be allowed to enter Makkah and spend three days to perform ‘Umrah.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) reports that when the Prophet ﷺarrived at Makkah in the 7th year of Hijrah to perform ‘Umrah, he ﷺordered his Companions (ras) to perform the Tawaaf round the Ka’bah and between al-Safaa and al-Marwah with high pace to display the strength of Muslims to the disbelievers and show them that they can fight them. The order of the Prophet ﷺwas to perform Tawaaf with high pace in the first three rounds of Tawaaf round the Ka’bah, except between the two Corners, where he ﷺordered them to walk with a normal pace so they can rest. As for the last 4 rounds of Tawaaf, he ordered them to walk with a normal pace. Likewise, he ﷺordered them to perform brisk walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah in the marked passage in the valley. All this happened while the disbelievers were watching from far.
From the other benefits we conclude from this hadeeth is that Muslims should display their strength and power with arms and weaponry in order to instill awe and fear in the hearts of disbelievers, and that is not included in the unpraiseworthy showing off.
It shows that indirect messages are not limited to words, but also include actions. Sometimes, sending indirect messages through actions is more effective and appropriate.
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805

An-Nawwās ibn Sam‘ān al-Kilābi reported: I heard the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "The Qur'an and its people who used to act upon it will be brought forth on the Day of Judgment, preceded by Surat al-Baqarah and Surat Āl ‘Imrān. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) likened them to three things, which I did not forget afterward. He said: "As if they were two clouds, or two black canopies with 'sharq' (light) between them, or as if they were two flocks of birds in ranks pleading for their companion.".

Commentary : Recitation of the Qur'an brings goodness and blessing for those who recite it and act upon it, for it is the extended rope of Allah, and it leads to salvation on the Day of Judgment, particularly Surat al-Baqarah and Surat Āl ‘Imrān, given their great status.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs us that "The Qur'an and its people who used to act upon it will be brought forth," i.e., those who recite the Qur'an, have faith in its information and believe it, and act upon its rulings. The Qur'an will be an argument for those people on the Day of Judgment. Excluded from this are those who do not believe in its information or establish its limits; the Qur'an will be an argument against them. This is because the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said in a Hadīth narrated by Muslim: "The Qur'an is an argument for you or against you." This is supported by the verse that reads: {This is a blessed Book that We have sent down to you [O Prophet] so that they may reflect upon its verses, and so that people of understanding may take heed.} [Surat Sād: 29]
And by the Prophet's words: "preceded by Surat al-Baqarah and Surat Āl ‘Imrān," i.e., they come ahead of the Qur'an. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) likened Surat al-Baqarah and Surat Āl ‘Imrān to three things, saying: "As if they were two clouds"; in Arabic "Ghamamatān", which means two clouds or two white clouds. A cloud is called such because it clouds the sky and conceals it. "or two canopies," i.e., two clouds that shade their companion from the heat of this situation of standing. He described these two clouds as 'black' because they are thick and piled upon each other. "with 'sharq' between them," i.e., light. The light of 'sharq' is the sun. This indicates that they, albeit thick, do not conceal light. It was said: Sharq means rift, i.e., a gap and break between them. This is like separating every two Surahs in the Mus'haf (copy of the Qur'an) with Basmalah (mentioning Allah's name). "or as if they were two flocks," i.e., two herds or two groups. "of birds in ranks," i.e., extending their wings and being linked to one another. The intended meaning is that they will protect their reciter from the heat of this situation of standing and the distress of the Day of Judgment. 'pleading' i.e., pushing against Hellfire and its keepers or pleading for him in intercession or when he is questioned, when his tongue keeps silent, his lips are distraught, and his arguments are lost. Their companion means: He who acts upon them and what they contain, of rulings and legislations, whether he is a memorizer or a reciter of them.
In the Hadīth: Urging the recitation of the Qur'an and acting upon it; and the merit of Surat al-Baqarah and Surat Āl ‘Imrān..

806

Ibn ‘Abbās reported: As Gabriel (Jibrīl) was sitting in the presence of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), he heard a creak from above. So, he raised his head and said: "That is a gate in the heavens that was opened today; it had never been opened before today." An angel descended from it. He said: "That is an angel that descended to earth; he had never descended before this day." He gave the greeting of peace and said: "Have glad tidings with two lights that have been given to you, which none of the prophets were given before you: Surat al-Fātihah and the concluding verses of Surat al-Baqarah. You will not read one letter of them except that you will be given it.".

Commentary : What a great religion Islam is! And how great its numerous glad tidings which Allah Almighty gave to His Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his Ummah are. He, Exalted be He, revealed to him the Reminder, the Qur'an, and made its recitation greatly rewardable; each letter is credited with one good deed, and the virtuous deeds are multiplied. And He, Exalted be He, endowed some Surahs and verses with an additional merit for those who recite them, to urge and encourage their recitation.
In this Hadīth a divine gift is mentioned for those who recite Surat al-Fātihah and the concluding verses of Surat al-Baqarah. ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that Gabriel (peace be upon him), the angel in charge of the revelation, was sitting in the presence of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). In the version by An-Nasā’i: "As the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was sitting and Gabriel (peace be upon him) was with him." This means that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), including Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him), about Gabriel (peace be upon him) sitting with him. "he heard" refers to Gabriel (peace be upon him), and it is also probable the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was the one who "heard a creak from above," i.e., in heaven. A creak is a sound released because of the movement of something. Gabriel (peace be upon him) - or the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) - raised his head to look at the source of this sound. Gabriel (peace be upon him) said that this is a gate in the heaven of the world, which was opened today and had never been opened except today; and an angel descended from it to the earth, and he had never descended before today. This is all to prepare for something great. Indeed, the opening of one of the gates of the heaven for the first time and the descent of an angel other than Gabriel to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) for the first time points to the significance of the matter for which he was sent. When the angel descended, he greeted the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said to him: "Have glad tidings" - glad tidings are only given about good things - "with two lights that have been given to you, which none of the prophets were given before you: Surat al-Fātihah and the concluding verses of Surat al-Baqarah," i.e., their special reward of their recitation was not given beforehand; otherwise, the entire Qur'an was not given to any prophet before him. Surat al-Fātihah was endowed with this particular merit because it summarizes all the meanings of Imān (faith), Islam, and Ihsān (excellence). It comprises the fundamentals of the Fiqhi rules and knowledge principles. And the concluding verses of Surat al-Baqarah, beginning from {The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, as do the believers...} to the end of the Surah, are endowed with this particular merit because they contain praise for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). This is because they comply with their content and submit to their meanings and for their supplication to Allah Almighty and return to Him in all their affairs; and also, because those verses contain the response to their supplications after they were taught to them and they said them, and so He made things easier for them and forgave and supported them.
Then, the angel said: "You will not read one letter of them except that you will be given it." This stems from the great bounty of Allah towards His Prophet and his Ummah. He called them two lights because the recitation of each verse in them brings light to the reciter that illuminates his way and leads him to the right path and the true course, given the sublime meanings contained therein, which include acknowledgment of the Lordship and absolute resort to Allah with the great supplication using their words.
In the Hadīth: Demonstrating the great status of Surat al-Fātihah and the concluding verses of Surat al-Baqarah and urging their recitation.
And in it: Pointing out that there are angel messengers to the prophets other than Gabriel
And in it: Showing the honorable status of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) with his Lord, as He honored him with such things that He did not honor the previous prophets with, giving him these two lights
And in it: Affirming the existence of the gates of heaven, that they are opened and closed, and that some angels do not descend to earth except for such glad tidings.

809

Abu ad-Dardā’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever memorizes ten verses from the beginning of Surat al-Kahf will be guarded against the Dajjāl (Anti-Christ).".

Commentary : Recitation of the Qur’an brings goodness and blessing for those who recite it, as it is the extended rope of Allah, causing tranquility of the soul and an abundance of rewards, and it protects a servant from the distresses and trials of worldly life and the horrors and hardships on the Day of Judgment.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that whoever memorizes ten verses from the beginning of Surat al-Kahf, Allah will guard, protect, and preserve him from the trial of the Dajjāl, who will emerge at the end of time and claim to be God. The Dajjāl originally refers to someone who often engages in lying and deception. His emergence is one of the major signs of the Day of Judgment, and his trial is the gravest on earth from the creation of Adam to the coming of the Hour, as Allah Almighty will enable him to perform some miracles whereby he will mislead his followers. Verily, the memorization of these verses is a cause of protection against the Dajjāl. It was said: This is due to the wonders and miracles existing in these verses. So, whoever knows them will not wonder at the matter of the Dajjāl or be misled by him; and he will patiently endure the trials of the Dajjāl and his apparent bliss and punishment; or that the protection from the Dajjāl is granted by Allah to those who memorize these verses.
Also, there are means of protection against the trial of the Dajjāl, which are not mentioned in this Hadīth, but are authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in other Hadīths: Knowing the names and attributes of Allah, which makes one know that the Dajjāl is a human being who eats and drinks, and Allah is far Exalted above that; the Dajjāl is one-eyed, whereas Allah is not one-eyed; and no one sees his Lord until he dies, whereas the people, including the believers and disbelievers, will see the Dajjāl when he emerges. It also includes the pursuit of Allah's refuge from the trial of the Dajjāl, particularly in prayer, as reported in a Hadīth by ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) in the Two Sahīh Collections that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to supplicate in prayer: "O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave, and I seek refuge with You from the trial of the Dajjāl." And it also includes fleeing and turning away from the Dajjāl, for those who will be present at his time, given the suspicions and amazing supernatural incidents that appear with him and by which a person might be tempted.
In the Hadīth: The merit of the ten verses at the beginning of Surat al-Kahf.
And in it: Clarifying that the trial of the Dajjāl is so severe that protection against him is needed.

810

’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Abu al-Mundhir, do you know which verse of Allah's Book that you have is the greatest?" I said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said: "O Abu al-Mundhir, do you know which verse of Allah's Book that you have is the greatest?" I said: {Allah: none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining} [Surat al-Baqarah: 255]. Thereupon, he struck me on the chest and said: "May knowledge be pleasant for you, O Abu al-Mundhir!".

Commentary : The glorious Qur'an is the strong rope of Allah and His straight path. Its recitation brings goodness and blessing and affords tranquility of the soul and abundance of reward. Allah endowed some of its Surahs and verses with a special merit.
In this Hadīth, ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) one day asked him: "O Abu al-Mundhir", a surname for ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him). "Do you know which verse of Allah's Book that you have is the greatest?" i.e., in terms of the reward and benefit for its reciter in this world and the Hereafter. ’Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I said: Allah and His Messenger know best." This stems from the Companions' politeness towards the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). It was said: ’Ubayy knew which verse was the greatest when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked him about it, but he did not reply out of respect, modesty, and politeness towards him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). If he had answered him the first time he asked him, he would have thus displayed his knowledge. He also probably did not give the answer because he expected that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would probably tell him that another verse is greater than that or inform him of some other benefit. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) repeated the question, he knew that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) wanted him to answer and wanted to test his memorization and information. Thereupon, he answered him that the greatest verse - as far as he knew - is the one that reads: {Allah: none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Who is there that can intercede with Him except with His permission? He knows what was before them and what will be after them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge, except what He wills. His Kursī [footstool] extends over the heavens and earth, and safeguarding of both does not weary Him, for He is the Most High, the Most Great.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 255] It is called the verse of Kursī. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) approved his answer and accepted it as correct, and he struck with his honorable hand on the chest of ’Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him). This behavior on the Prophet's part was done by way of gentleness, given his approval and acceptance of this answer and his admiration of the answerer. He said to him: "May knowledge be pleasant for you, O Abu al-Mundhir," i.e., may knowledge be blissful for you. This is meant as a supplication for him to find knowledge easily and be versed therein.
The verse of Kursī is the greatest verse in the Qur'an because it combines such fundamental divine names and attributes that are not combined in any other verse. In it, Allah Almighty describes Himself as the worshiped God other than Whom none is truly worthy of worship. He alone is worthy of worship, out of love and exaltation for Him, given the perfection of His attributes. To Him belongs the complete life, which was not preceded by non-existence, will not be followed by an end, and entails all attributes of perfection. He is Self-Sustaining and does not need anyone, and He undertakes the affairs of His creation, including sustenance and other things. All creatures stand in need of Him and cannot exist without Him. His support of their existence entails all actions of perfection. Part of the perfection of His life and sustainability is that He does not suffer drowsiness or get overcome by sleep, and He is the sole Possessor of all that is in the universe. No one dares to intercede with Him unless He gives him permission. He is the One Who knows all the affairs of His creation; past, present, and future, and all else do not possess anything of Allah's knowledge whatsoever except what He taught them, by His will. His Kursī - the place of His feet - encompassed the heavens and the earth, despite their vastness and greatness, and their preservation is not heavy or hard for Him; rather, this is something easy and simple for Him, Exalted be He. He is the Possessor of absolute exaltedness above all His creation. He is Exalted by His Essence above His Throne and High above His creation by His absolute power and perfect attributes. He is the Possessor of absolute greatness in His Essence, attributes, and authority, and all other than Him are humble before Him and so little next to Him. Nothing is greater than Him, Exalted, Glorified, and Blessed be He.
In the Hadīth: A great merit for ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him).
And in it: Praising a person to his face, if it serves a good purpose and if self-admiration is not feared, and so on
And in it: The knowledgeable person's great respect for his virtuous companions.

811

Abu ad-Dardā’ reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Is any of you incapable of reciting a third of the Qur'an in a night?" They said: "How does one recite a third of the Qur'an? He said: "{Say: 'He is Allah, the One} equals a third of the Qur'an.".

Commentary : Recitation of the Qur'an brings goodness and blessing, as it is the strong rope of Allah, and it affords tranquility of the soul and abundant reward. Allah Almighty has particularly endowed Surat al-Ikhlās with great merit.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asks his Companions, by way of teaching them: "Is any of you incapable of reciting a third of the Qur'an in a night?" Since this is hard to do, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) wondered and asked him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): How does one recite one-third of the Qur'an in a night?! In response to them, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said that the recitation of Surat al-Ikhlās {Say: 'He is Allah, the One} equals the recitation of one-third of the Qur'an. So, its reciter obtains the reward for reciting a third of the Qur'an. And it is equal to one-third of the Qur'an based on the consideration of its meanings, as the Qur'an contains rulings, information, and Tawhīd (monotheism), and knowing the names and attributes of Allah Almighty falls under Tawhīd. And this Surah comprises the third category (Tawhīd); so, it equals one-third based on this consideration. In a version of the Sahīh Muslim Collection, it reads: "Indeed, Allah divided the Qur'an into three parts, and He made {Say: 'He is Allah, the One'} one of the parts of the Qur'an." This is because it contains two of Allah's names, which comprise all the attributes of perfection, and they do not exist in any other Surah of the Qur'an. These two names are: "Al-Ahad" (the One) and "As-Samad" (the Eternal Refuge). They point to the Essence of Allah that possesses all the attributes of perfection. To explain that: "The One" gives a feeling about His particular existence, which none shares with Him, and "the Eternal Refuge" gives a feeling about all the attributes of perfection, for He is the One Whose sovereignty reached the pinnacle of sublimity and perfection, and all creatures need Him, whereas He, Exalted be He, does not need anyone.
In the Hadīth: Demonstrating the merit of Surat al-Ikhlās
And in it: The vast bounty of Allah Almighty towards His servants, as He made the recitation of a short Surah equivalent to one-third of the Qur'an.

811

Abu ad-Dardā’ reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah divided the Qur'an into three parts, and He made Surat {Say: 'He is Allah, the One'} as one of the parts of the Qur'an.".

812

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Gather together, for I will recite to you one-third of the Qur'an." So, there gathered those who gathered. Then, the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came out and recited {Say: "He is Allah, the One"}. Then, he went back in. We said to one another: "I think this is a revelation that came to him from heaven. That is why he went in." Then, the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came out and said: "Indeed, I said to you that I would recite to you one-third of the Qur'an, and it is indeed equal to one-third of the Qur'an.".

Commentary : Surat al-Ikhlās is a great surah despite its few words, as it contains great and sublime meanings. In it, the meaning of Tawhīd (monotheism) for Allah is refined, worship is solely devoted to Him, and refuge is sought with Him alone, and the son and father are negated from Him, Exalted be He. This is one of the fundamental topics to which the Qur'an refers.
In this Hadīth, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to his Companions: 'Gather together' i.e., come together. This command indicates that he will inform them about something important, namely that he will really recite to them one-third of the Qur'an, or what equals its third in terms of the meaning and reward. So, there gathered those who gathered from among the people. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came out and recited to them Surat al-Ikhlās only: {Say: "He is Allah, the One"}. Then, he entered his room. When they saw that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) recited nothing but this Surah and did not recite one-third of the Qur'an in terms of the amount and the number of verses, they thought that he entered because the revelation was coming down to him and that he would thereafter come out and recite to them the rest of the third of the Qur'an. Then, when the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came out, it was as if the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) knew what they were thinking about and that they were waiting to hear from him the rest of the third of the Qur'an. So, he informed them that Surat al-Ikhlās equals one-third of the Qur'an in terms of the reward. Thus, its reciter obtains the reward for reciting a third of the Qur'an. And it is equal to one-third of the Qur'an based on the consideration of its meanings, as the Qur'an contains rulings, information, and Tawhīd, and knowing the names and attributes of Allah Almighty falls under Tawhīd. And this Surah comprises the third category (Tawhīd); so, it equals one third based on this consideration. In a version in the Sahīh Muslim Collection, it reads: "Indeed, Allah divided the Qur'an into three parts, and He made {Say: 'He is Allah, the One'} one of the parts of the Qur'an." This is because it contains two of Allah's names, which comprise all the attributes of perfection, and they do not exist in any other Surah of the Qur'an. These two names are: "Al-Ahad" (the One) and "As-Samad" (the Eternal Refuge). They point to the Essence of Allah that possesses all the attributes of perfection. To explain that: "The One" gives a feeling about His particular existence, which none shares with Him, and "the Eternal Refuge" gives a feeling about all the attributes of perfection, for He is the One Whose sovereignty reached the pinnacle of sublimity and perfection, and all creatures need Him, whereas He, Exalted be He, does not need anyone.
In the Hadīth: The good way in which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) taught his Companions, and the Companions' politeness towards him
And in it: Demonstrating the merit of Surat al-Ikhlās and that it equals one-third of the Qur'an in terms of the reward and recompense.

814

‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Have you not seen that some verses were revealed tonight the like of which has never been seen before?! They are: {Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the daybreak} and {Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.}".

Commentary : What a great religion Islam is! And how great its numerous glad tidings which Allah Almighty gave to His Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his Ummah are. He, Exalted be He, revealed to him the Reminder, the Qur'an, and made its recitation greatly rewardable; each letter is credited with one good deed, and the virtuous deeds are multiplied. And He, Exalted be He, endowed some Surahs and verses with an additional merit for those who recite them, to urge and encourage their recitation.
In this Hadīth, ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Have you not seen that some verses were revealed tonight the like of which has never been seen before?!" This is an exclamatory question, as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) wondered at the great merit of these verses, the like of whose meanings and blessings were not revealed in other Surahs to him before. Then, he identified those verses, saying that they are the two Surahs: "{Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the daybreak} and {Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.}" They are the two refuge-seeking Surahs. They mention the pursuit of refuge, resorting, and asking for protection from Allah, the Lord of creation and the Lord of mankind. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used these two Surahs in seeking refuge with Allah Almighty and performing Ruqyah (faith healing) for himself.
Surat al-Falaq contains the verses that read: {Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of the daybreak, from the harm of all what He has created; from the harm of the darkening night when it spreads around, from the harm of the sorceresses who blow on knots, and from the harm of the envier when he envies."} The meaning is: Say, O you, the Messenger—I resort to the Lord of the Morning. The Surah begins by describing the One with whom refuge is sought as the Lord of the Daybreak, for this is the time for the outpouring of lights and the descent of goodness and blessings. I seek refuge in this Lord, Who possesses this description, from what is harmful among the creatures. He solely attributes to the One with Whom refuge is sought what He created. He begins with the general words: {from the harm of all what He has created}, i.e., from the evil of His creation, the evil committed by the accountable servants in the form of sins and mutual harm among themselves, and what is done by unaccountable creatures of animals, such as the predatory beasts and insects, by eating, nipping, stinging, and biting, and the different kinds of harm Allah caused to exist in other than animals, like burning in the fire and killing by poison.
Then, He follows it with that whose harm is more hidden in terms of time, and it is the opposite of the break of the day, namely the coming of darkness, with His words: {from the harm of darkening [night] when it spreads around.} This is because harm spreads more easily at this time and getting rid of it becomes more difficult.
He particularly mentions the time in which wickedness is hidden, like the sorceresses who blow on knots and the enviers, and He links the envier with the conditional {when he envies}, because when an envier displays his envy, his evil and harm becomes more effective. Allah combines the evils in this Surah and concludes them with envy, so that it should be known that it is the meanest trait.
And Surat an-Nis is the verses that reads: {Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind, the Sovereign of mankind, the God of mankind, from the harm of the lurking whisperer, who whispers into the hearts of mankind, from among jinn and mankind."} [Surat an-Nās: 1-6] The meaning: Say - O you the Messenger -: I resort to the Lord of mankind and seek refuge in Him. He is the Sovereign of mankind and does whatever He wills to them. There is no other sovereign for them but Him and no true deity for them but Him. I seek refuge in Him from the evil of the devil who throws his whisperings to man if he fails to remember Allah and he goes backwards if he remembers Him. He throws his whisperings into the hearts of people. Such a whisperer could be among humankind and jinns alike.
In the Hadīth: Demonstrating the great significance of the two refuge-seeking Surahs
And in it: Pointing out that there is nothing in the Qur’an like the two refuge-seeking Surahs in terms of the meanings, blessings, and pursuit of Allah's refuge through them.

817

‘Āmir ibn Wāthila reported: Nāfi‘ ibn ‘Abdul-Hārith met ‘Umar at ‘Usfān, and ‘Umar had employed him as a governor of Makkah. He said: "Whom have you appointed as a governor over the people of the valley?" He said: "Ibn Abza." He said: "Who is Ibn Abza?" He said: "He is one of our freed slaves." He said: "Have you appointed a freed slave as a governor over them?!" He said: "He is a reciter of the Book of Allah Almighty and he is knowledgeable about the laws of inheritance." ‘Umar said: "Indeed, your Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Indeed, Allah elevates by this Book some people and degrades others.'".

Commentary : The Commander of the Faithful ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) was keen that the rulings of Islam should be applied in all corners of the state. Therefore, he used to ask the governors about their conditions and how they acted in different situations, correcting their errors and holding them accountable for them. He would put in a high status the knowledgeable people of the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the Shar‘i rulings, in compliance with the principles of the honorable Shariah.
In this Hadīth, ‘Āmir ibn Wāthila (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Companion Nāfi‘ ibn ‘Abd al-Hārith (may Allah be pleased with him), was one of those who embraced Islam at the time of the Conquest of Makkah and was approved by ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) during his caliphate as a ruler and governor of Makkah, and stayed there until he died. Nāfi‘ met ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him), who stopped at ‘Usfān on the way to Hajj. He called him for a meeting, and he met him in ‘Usfān, a village 80km north of Makkah on the way to Madīnah. When they met, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him: Whom have you appointed as a governor over the people of Makkah in your place for the period of your absence as you meet the Commander of the Faithful? The valley here refers to the valley of Makkah and Tā’if. He informed him that he had appointed Abdur-Rahmān ibn Abza (may Allah be pleased with him), as a governor over them, a freed slave of Nāfi‘ ibn al-Hārith. He embraced Islam during the Prophet's lifetime and lived in Kufa. ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) appointed him as a governor of Khorasan.
‘Umar said to him, disapprovingly: "Have you appointed a freed slave as a governor over them?!" i.e., have you appointed a freed slave as a governor over the people of Makkah, the people of the Sacred City, and the people of nobility and high status?! It was said: ‘Umar's disapproval of his appointment as a governor over them was not because he belittled or disdained him, but because of the non-fulfillment of the purpose behind such an appointment, namely to set people's affairs in order and manage them, which requires the governor appointed over them to be a man of awe, greatness, and noble status in the hearts of the general public. To this end, he should be free and of noble descent and high standing; otherwise, people would disrespect and disobey him. Thus, the objective of such a post would fail.
Clarifying the reason behind appointing him over them, Nafi‘(may Allah be pleased with him) said: "He is a reciter of the Book of Allah Almighty," i.e., he is a memorizer of it and knowledgeable about its rulings. "And he is knowledgeable about the laws of inheritance," i.e., about the division of inheritance according to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). In other words, Allah Almighty elevated this governor over them by virtue of these things, and they know him to be like that, so they would respect and revere him and obey his command; thus, their affairs would be set aright, and their conditions would become stable. Hence, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), liked what he heard about the traits of Ibn Abza and approved the action of Nafi‘ ibn al-Hārith (may Allah be pleased with him), and thereupon said: "Indeed, your Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Indeed, Allah elevates by this Book" the noble Qur'an "some people." Allah elevates those who believe in it, recite it, and sincerely act according to it. He elevates them in this world, by making them lead a good life, and in the Hereafter, by making them among the people of high ranks along with those upon whom Allah bestowed His favor. "and degrades others,", lowering their status; those are the people who do not believe in it, or believe in it yet neglect it and abandon its application. So, He causes them to live in misery and straits in this world and makes them the lowest of the low in the Hereafter.
In the Hadīth: Putting a freed slave in authority over free people if he is knowledgeable about the laws of inheritance
And in it: Knowledge and the Qur'an redress the deficiency in one's lineage
And in it: The merit of knowledge
And in it: The approach of ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) as he used to follow up on his governors and observe how they ruled their subjects, lest they might neglect their rights, and thus, he would be the one to blame, for he was the chief caretaker.
And in it: The merit and honor of the knowledge of inheritance, for it is the knowledge to which Allah Almighty gave high status, as He Himself undertook the division of inheritance in His glorious Book and did not leave it to anyone..

820

’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b reported: As I was in the mosque, a man entered, prayed, and recited in a manner that I found to be strange. Afterward, a man entered and recited in a manner different from the other. When we finished the prayer, we all went to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and I said: "This man recited in a manner that I found to be strange, and another man entered and recited in a manner different from his recitation." The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded them to recite, and when they did so, he expressed approval of both. This made me inclined to disbelieve in him, even to an extent I had never reached in Jāhiliyyah (the pre-Islamic period of ignorance). When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) noticed how I was affected, he gave me a pat on the chest. Thereupon, I broke into a sweat and was filled with fear as though I were looking at Allah Almighty. He said to me: "O ’Ubayy, a message was sent to me: Recite the Qur'an in one mode, but I replied to Him: Make matters easy for my Ummah. So, He sent me the second message: Recite it in two modes. I replied to Him: Make matters easy for my Ummah. So, He sent me the third message: Recite it in seven modes. And you may ask Me for something in return for each reply I sent to you. I said: O Allah, forgive my Ummah; O Allah, forgive my Ummah. And I delayed the third request until the Day when all humankind, even including Abraham (Ibrāhīm) (peace be upon him), will seek my intercession. [In a version]: ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b told me that he was sitting in the mosque when a man entered, prayed, and recited in a manner... and he related a similar Hadīth..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach his Companions the Qur'an to perfection, and he would recite it to them in modes and manners that suited various dialects, all of which belong to Arabic, to make things easy and simple for the Muslims.
In this Hadīth, ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that he was sitting in the Prophet's Mosque, and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was not present at the time - and ’Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of the memorizers of the Book of Allah Almighty - as a man entered and prayed. ’Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him) heard him recite the Qur'an in a way he found to be strange, i.e., ’Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him) did not know this way of recitation and did not hear it from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Then, another man entered and recited in a way different from the recitation of the earlier man. When they all finished the prayer, they went to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in one of his rooms. ’Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him) said to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): This man recited in a way I found to be strange, as his recitation differed from that of mine. And another man entered and recited in a way different from the recitation of the earlier one. So, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered both men to recite so that he could hear their recitation and make sure whether it was correct or wrong. The two men recited, and he expressed approval of the recitation of both and said that both were good, or he said to each of them: You have done well. When ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) heard the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) express approval of their recitation, he thought about denying the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and felt confused and surprised in a way he could not describe and the like of which he had not experienced during Jāhiliyyah, when he was in misguidance and disbelief, which are worthier of this kind of denial. Jāhiliyyah: It is the period during which people were polytheists before the Prophet's mission, and it was called as such because of the prevalence of their ignorance.
When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) perceived that ’Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him) experienced the whisperings and promptings of Satan, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) struck him with his noble hand on his chest, to reassure him. As a result, sweat flowed from all over the body of ’Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him), as if he were looking at Allah out of fear and embarrassment about the devil's whispering that influenced him. This indicates that it was a prompting from the devil, which disappeared immediately after the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) struck with his hand on ’Ubayy's chest, and the sweat overflowed from him.
At this point, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed ’Ubayy - by way of reassuring him and making things clear to him - that Allah Almighty revealed to him that he should recite the Qur'an in one mode, i.e., in one way. "but I replied to Him," i.e., to Allah Almighty through Gabriel (Jibrīl) (peace be upon him), the angel in charge of the revelation. "Make matters easy," i.e., he asked Him, Exalted be He, to make the recitation of the Qur'an simple and easy for the Muslim Ummah. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was going back to his Almighty Lord to ask Him to facilitate things for his Ummah, as he is reported to have done regarding prayer. Allah Almighty replied to His Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) on the second time: "Recite it in two modes," and on the third time Allah facilitated the matter for the Ummah by its recitation in seven modes. In other words, the Qur'an was revealed in seven ways or seven dialects, intended to make the matter simple and easy. It was said: The Qur'an was first revealed in the language of the Quraysh tribe and the surrounding eloquent Arabs. Then, it was made permissible for the Arabs to recite it in their own languages which they habitually used, along with their different words and rules of parsing. He did not oblige any of them to shift from their language to another because it involved difficulty. This was also for their tribalism and their need for facilitation, so that they could understand the intended meanings. This mentioned permissibility was not granted based on personal inclinations such that everyone could change any word to its equivalent in his language. Rather, the criterion in this regard was to hear it from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
Then, the Almighty Lord said to His Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "In return for each reply I sent to you," i.e., in return for each time you came back to Me to ask for facilitation and ease for your Ummah and I replied to you, "you may ask Me for something," i.e., an answered supplication, which you should make, and you will not be disappointed or rejected regarding it. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, forgive my Ummah; O Allah, forgive my Ummah" twice. And the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) delayed the third request until the Day of Judgment. It is the Grand Intercession. All humankind will need his intercession, when everyone will say "myself, myself," even Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him).
In the Hadīth: Allah's facilitation of things for the Ummah and His mercy towards them
And in it: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is the best among the prophets and all humankind.
And in it: The superiority of Abraham (peace be upon him) over all the other prophets, except for our Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)
And in it: The Prophet's compassion towards his Ummah
And in it: It shows how much the Companions cared about the Qur'an, defended it, and preserved it and its words as they had heard it, without deviation from it.
And in it: Pointing out that the Qur'an was revealed in seven modes
And in it: Pardoning people for the devil's promptings and not holding them accountable for them
And in it: Showing the noble status of Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him), for the devil did not gain control over him and so he could not allure him as he allured many others who were predestined by Allah to suffer misery by persisting in denial. Rather, Allah Almighty inspired him to repent through the Prophet's striking on his chest and his supplication for him.
And in it: Establishing the intercession for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).

821

’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was by a pond belonging to Banu Ghifār when Jibrīl (Gabriel) (peace be upon him) came to him and said: "Allah Commands you to make your Ummah recite the Qur'an in one letter." He said: "I ask Allah for His protection and forgiveness, verily, my Ummah cannot bear that." He then came to him for the second time and said: "Allah commands you to make your Ummah recite the Qur'an in two letters." He (the Prophet) said: "I ask Allah for His protection and forgiveness, verily, my Ummah cannot bear that." Then, he came to him for the third time and said: "Allah commands you to make your Ummah recite the Qur'an in three letters." He (the Prophet) said: "I ask Allah for His protection and forgiveness, verily, my Ummah cannot bear that." Then, he came to him for the fourth time and said: "Allah commands you to make your Ummah recite the Qur'an in seven letters, and in whichever letter they recite, they will be right.".

Commentary : The Noble Qur’an is the speech of Allah Almighty revealed to His Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Allah has made its recitation easy for people so that they reflect upon its verses. A form of this facilitation and flexibility is that Allah has permitted its recitation in seven letters and in Qirā’āt (modes of recitation) that He taught to His Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), who taught them to his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), who reported these Qirā’at to those who succeeded them.
In this Hadīth, ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was by "Adā’ah (pond) belonging to Banu Ghifār." Adā’ah: still water. It is said that it is a place in Makkah, as Ghifār was a tribe from Kinānah, and their location was near Makkah. It is also said that it is a place in Madīnah attributed to Banu Ghifār because they settled therein.
Gabriel (peace be upon him) - the angel entrusted with the revelation - came to him and said: "Allah Almighty commands you to recite the Qur'an to your Ummah," referring to the Ummah that responded to his call, "in one letter," i.e. in one manner. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I ask Allah for His protection and forgiveness," i.e. I ask Allah Almighty for His ease, facilitation, and forgiveness for them. The Prophet's request for forgiveness was out of fear of negligence committed on their side regarding how they must recite. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Verily, my Ummah cannot bear that," i.e., they cannot stand to agree on one letter given their different dialects. So, uniting them into one dialect is hard for them and challenging for their tongues. Then, Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to him for the second time and informed him that Allah Almighty commands him to make his Ummah recite the Qur’an in two letters. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said the same thing he said the first time. Then, Gabriel came to him for the third time and informed him that Allah commands him to make his Ummah recite in three letters. And the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said what he had said in the two previous times. Then for the fourth time, Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to him and said: "Allah commands you to make your Ummah recite the Qur’an in seven letters," thus, each one could recite in the manner that suits him, and that is easy for him, "and in whichever letter they recite, they will be right" and correct and their recitation will be sufficient and valid. His saying: "seven letters", means It was revealed in seven manners or seven dialects, which refers to facilitation and ease. It is said that the Qur'an was first revealed in the language of Quraysh and those who lived next to them from among the eloquent Arabs. Then, the Arabs were allowed to recite it in their usual languages despite the difference between them in words and grammatical rules. None of them was asked to leave his language for another one, given the difficulty involved and the pride they had and to make it easy for them to understand the intended meaning. This mentioned permissibility was not granted based on personal inclinations in such a way that everyone would change any word to its equivalent in his language; instead, the criterion here was to hear it from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
The Hadīth reflects the Prophet's keenness in facilitating and making things easy for his Ummah.
It also sheds light on the mercy of Allah Almighty towards His slaves by lightening their burden and revealing the Qur’an in seven letters..

822

Abu Wā’il reported: A man called Nahīk ibn Sinān came to ‘Abdullah and said: "O Abu ‘Abdur-Rahmān, how do you recite this letter? Do you recite it as 'alif' (first letter of the Arabic alphabet) or as 'yā’' (last letter of the Arabic alphabet) {min mā’in ghayri āsin (of fresh water)} [Surat Muhammad: 15] or: min mā’in ghayri yāsin?" He said: 'Abdullah replied, "And have you memorized the whole Qur'an except for this?!" He said: "Indeed, I do recite the Mufassal (from Surat Qāf till the end of the Qur'an) in one Rak'ah (unit of prayer)." 'Abdullah said: "Like the hasty recitation of poetry! Verily, there are people who recite the Qur'an, but it does not go beyond their collarbones. But if it were to reach the heart and settle therein, then it would be of benefit. The best (acts) of prayer are Rukū' (bowing) and Sujūd (prostration). I am well-acquainted with the Nazhā’ir (pairs of similar Surahs) which the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to combine two Surahs in every Rak'ah." Then, 'Abdullah stood up and 'Alqamah followed him; he came out and said: "He informed me about them." [Another version reads]: A man from Banu Bajīlah came to ‘Abdullah, and he did not say: Nahīk ibn Sinān. [Another version reads]: 'Alqamah came to enter upon him, so we said: "Ask him about the Nazhā’ir that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to recite in one Rak'ah." So, he entered upon him and asked him, then, he came out and said: "Twenty Surahs of the Mufassal according to the order (of the Surahs) set by 'Abdullah.".

Commentary : Allah Almighty commanded reflection upon the Qur’an, as He says: {This is a blessed Book that We have sent down to you [O Prophet] so that they may reflect upon its verses, and so that people of understanding may take heed.} [Surat Sād: 29] Allah Almighty also says: {Do they not then ponder on the Qur’an?} [Surat an-Nisā’: 82] This is the purpose of its recitation, not just the mere recitation of its letters without understanding or reflection.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi'i Abu Wā’il, brother of Ibn Salamah, reports that a man - and in another version: "from Banu Bajīlah" - called Nahīk ibn Sinān came to 'Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) and said: "O Abu' Abdur-Rahmān, how do you recite this letter?" i.e., how do you recite this verse in the Qur'an? "Do you recite it as 'alif' or 'yā"? {{min mā’in ghayri āsin} or (min mā’in ghayri yāsin)?" This means: Does the word start with an alif or a yā'? "Āsin" water is water that has a changed taste and color, whereas "Yāsin" water is smelly and stinking water that affects whoever goes in it with its steam. Thereupon, ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him: "And have you memorized the whole Qur'an except for this?!" i.e. Have you memorized the whole Qur'an and perfected its words except for this verse and the word you are asking about?! As if he was shocked and rebuking him. Nahīk ibn Sinān gave him an answer denoting how he believed that he had perfected the recitation of the whole Qur’an, as he informed him that he used to recite the Mufassal (short Surahs) in one single Rak‘ah, which indicates the great extent of his memorization and perfection. It is said: The Mufassal starts from Surat Muhammad, and it is said: Surat Qāf, until the end of the Noble Qur’an. It was called so because of the frequent separation between its Surahs with the line "Bismillāh ar-Rahmān ar-Rahīm" (In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful). ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) did not answer his question because he got the impression that he was not seeking guidance; rather, he said to him: "Like the hasty recitation of poetry?!" "Hadhdh" (hasty recitation) means excessive hastiness and extreme speed, i.e., do you recite the Qur’an hastily without reflecting upon it as if you are reciting poetry?! As if Ibn Mas‘ūd was criticizing him for reciting the Mufassal in one single Rak‘ah without reflecting upon and contemplating the verses.
Then, Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Verily, there are people who recite the Qur'an, but it does not go beyond their collarbones," which is an indirect reference to incomprehension, i.e., there are people who recite the Qur'an without reflecting upon its verses or contemplating its meanings. Hence, it does not reach their hearts through contemplation and humility, and it does not ascend to heaven, and they do not, thus, receive a reward for it. "Turquwah" (collarbone): It is the protruding upper chest bone from the beginning of the shoulder to the bottom of the neck.
Then, ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) informed him that when the Qur’an is recited in a reflective and contemplative manner, and the heart consequently grasps its meanings and understands its lessons, it becomes of benefit to its reciter, and this is what is required of a Muslim and is the objective of reciting the Qur’an. Then, he clarified to him that the acts of prayer that have a better and bigger reward are more Rukū‘ and Sujūd, not the lengthy recitation in which the reciter does not reflect upon the meanings of the verses.
Then, he taught him, saying: I am well-acquainted with the Surahs, which are called "Nazhā’ir" and which are the Surahs that have similar meanings or have a similar length, that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to combine in his Rak'ahs during prayer reciting two of them in every Rak'ah.
Ibn Mas‘ūd then stood up and entered his house, followed by the Tābi'i' Alqamah ibn Qays, who wanted to ask him about these Surahs which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to combine. Then, ‘Alqamah came out and said to the people: Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) informed me about them.
Another version reads: 'Alqamah informed them that the Nazhā’ir are "twenty Surahs from the Mufassal," i.e., twenty of the small Surahs according to the order of the Mus-haf that was arranged by 'Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd whose order varied from that of Zayd ibn Thābit. These Surahs were mentioned by Abu Dāwūd on the authority of Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) and they are: Ar-Rahmān and An-Najm in a Rak‘ah, Al-Qamar and Al-Hāqqah in a Rak‘ah, At-Tūr and Adh-Dhāriyāt in a Rak‘ah, Al-Wāqi‘ah and Al-Qalam in a Rak‘ah, Al-Ma‘ārij and An-Nāzi‘āt in a Rak‘ah, Al-Mutaffifīn and ‘Abasa in a Rak‘ah, Al-Muddaththir and Al-Muzzammil in a Rak‘ah, Al-Insān and Al-Qiyāmah in a Rak‘ah, An-Naba’ and Al-Mursalāt in a Rak‘ah, and Ad-Dhukhān and At-Takwīr in a Rak‘ah. If it is said Ad-Dukhān is not from the Mufassal, how did he count it from the Mufassal? The answer: It is a metaphor, as it was mentioned in a version in the Two Sahīh Collections: Eighteen Surahs from the Mufassal and two Surahs from the {Hā Mīm} family.
The Hadīth encourages reflection upon the Qur’an and abstention from reciting it hastily.
It also emphasizes the status and knowledge of Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him)..

830

Abu Basrah al-Ghifāri reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) led us in the ‘Asr (afternoon) prayer at Al-Mukhammas and said: "This prayer was presented to those before you, but they wasted it. So, whoever observes it will have his reward doubled, and there is no prayer after it until the Shāhid appears." Shāhid: the star..

Commentary : Prayer is the second pillar of Islam. The 'Asr prayer has a great merit. Hence, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) urges Muslims to observe it.
In this Hadīth, Abu Basrah al-Ghifāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) led some of his Companions in the ‘Asr prayer at Al-Mukhammas, which is the name of a path in Mount ‘Ayr on the way to Makkah. Then, he informed them that the 'Asr prayer was enjoined upon the preceding nations, but they did not observe it properly, not performing it in its due time, taking it lightly, and abandoning it. Then, Allah gave it to the Ummah of Islam, "so, whoever observes it will have his reward doubled"; the first reward is for observing it, unlike those who neglected it, and the second is a recompense for his deed like the rest of prayers. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) then forbade them from offering any supererogatory prayer until the sun sets and the "Shāhid", which is the star, appears. It was called "Shāhid" (witness) because it appears and is present at night and because a star does not appear and is not seen except after sunset. This does not contradict the confirmed texts that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed Maghrib by sunset, as mentioned in the Two Sahīh Collections and others.
This is a prohibition of prayer at sunset because it was when those who worshipped the sun used to pray. The word "after" here is not meant in a general sense; rather, it is meant to refer to the time of sunset and what is close to it. It is said that the prohibition of prayer during this time is only meant to prohibit delaying the obligatory prayer without a valid excuse until it is performed close to sunset. This prohibition does not include performing obligatory prayers or making up for missed prayers; it is exclusive to the supererogatory prayer.
The Hadīth encourages the observance of prayer.
It also encourages the observance of prayers in their due time.
It clarifies the merit of this Ummah as it carefully maintains a prayer that was not maintained by the preceding nations.
It also points out that the reward of whoever observes the ‘Asr prayer is doubled..

831

‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir al-Juhani reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to forbid us from praying or burying our deceased ones at three times: when the sun begins to rise until it is fully risen; when the sun is at its highest point in the sky at noon until it passes its zenith; and when the sun starts setting until it fully sets..

Commentary : Allah Almighty sent His Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to all humankind as a guide, bringer of good news, and a warner. There is no goodness for them concerning their life or death except that he guided them to it and urged them to do it. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen to preserve for the Muslims their creed. For example, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade them from praying or burying their dead at three times, which are: "When the sun begins to rise;" this is at the beginning of its rise and appearance. In modern estimation, this is nearly 15 minutes after sunrise. He forbade this because it is a time in which the sun-worshipers used to pray and prostrate to it, as it is a time in which the the sun rises between the two horns the devil. The second time: "When the sun is at its highest point in the sky at noon;" this is at midday, when the sun is in the middle of the sky. This is a time when any standing object at noon no longer has a shadow towards the east or the west, and it is the time of extreme heat. He forbade this timing because Hellfire is flared up during it. The forbidden time continues until the sun passes its zenith for a little towards the west, and there comes the noon at which the time of the Zhuhr prayer comes. The third timing: "and when the sun starts setting," i.e., it moves towards setting until it completely sets, and the disc of the sun disappears. This is a time in which the sun sets between the two horns of the devil. This prohibition does not apply to the obligatory prayers that are performed within their appointed times or as missed prayers; rather,, it applies to supererogatory prayers.
In the Hadīth: The prohibition of praying at these times
And in it: The prohibition of burying the dead at these times.

832

‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah as-Sulami (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: In Jāhiliyyah (the pre-Islamic period of ignorance), I used to think that people were misguided and that they were not on the right path, as they worshipped idols. Then, I heard of a man in Makkah who was telling new things. So, I mounted my camel and went to him. I found that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was hiding, for his people were aggressive toward him. So, I acted gently until I entered his place. I said to him: "Who are you?" He said: "I am a Prophet." I said: "What is a Prophet?" He said: "Allah sent me.'' I said: "What did He send you with?" He said: "He sent me with [a message] of maintaining kinship ties, breaking the idols, and upholding the oneness of Allah without associating anything with him." I said: "Who is with you on that?" He said: "A free man and a slave man.'' He said: At that time only Abu Bakr and Bilāl were with him. I said: "I shall follow you.'' He said: "You cannot do that today. Do you not see my situation and that of the people? However, return to your people, and when you hear that I have succeeded in my mission, come to me.'' So, I went to my people. Later, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went to Madīnah. It was until some of my people went to Madīnah that I said: "What happened to this man who came to Madīnah?" They said: "People are hastening to him. His own people wanted to kill him, but they could not." So, I went to Madīnah and entered his place and said: "O Messenger of Allah, do you recognize me?" He said: "Yes, you are the one who met me in Makkah." I said: "O Messenger of Allah, tell me of what Allah has taught you, which I am ignorant of. Tell me about prayer." He said: "Perform the morning prayer. Then, do not pray until the sun has risen up to the height of a lance, for when it rises, it rises between two horns of a devil. It is when the disbelievers prostrate themselves to it. Then, pray, for the prayer is witnessed and attended, until the shadow of the lance shrinks. Then, do not pray, for at that time Hell is fired up. Then, pray when the shadow becomes longer, for the prayer is witnessed and attended, until you perform ‘Asr. Then, do not pray until the sun sets, for it sets between two horns of a devil. It is when the disbelievers prostrate themselves to it." I further said: "O Prophet, tell me about ablution.'' He said: "When any of you approaches his ablution water and rinses his mouth and nose, the sins of his face, his mouth, and nose will ‘fall’. Then, when he washes his face as Allah commanded him, the sins of his face fall with water from the edges of his beard. Then, when he washes his hands up to the elbows, the sins of his hands fall with water from his fingertips. Then, when he wipes over his head, the sins of his head fall with water from the ends of his hair. Then, when he washes his feet up to the ankles, the sins of his feet fall with water from his toes. Then, when he stands up for prayer, praises Allah Almighty, extols Him, glorifies Him as He deserves, and empties his heart for Allah, he becomes free from his sins as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him.'' ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah narrated this Hadīth to Abu ’Umāmah, a Companion of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Thereupon, Abu Umāmah said to him: "O ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah, think about what you are saying. Will a man be getting all of this on one occasion?" ‘Amr said: "O Abu ’Umāmah, I am old in age, weak in bones, and close to death. I do not need to tell lies about Allah or the Messenger of Allah. Had I not heard this from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) only once, twice, thrice - and he counted up to seven times - I would not have narrated it. However, I heard it more than that.".

Commentary : Islam emerged in a world filled with oppression, Shirk (polytheism), and ignorance. The brightness of its teachings was strange to those who lived in complete darkness. Its earlier followers suffered severe tribulations, as they were very few and their enemies regarded them as weak and humiliated, and they would subject them to subjugation and harm, for they did not possess the means of protection either by being large in number or by strength. This was before Allah Almighty endowed them with Hijrah (emigration) to Madīnah, where He provided them with refuge, empowered them, helped them, and made them victorious over their enemies. In this Hadīth, the Companion ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah as-Sulami (may Allah be pleased with him)—who was the half-brother of Abu Dharr from the mother's side; their mother was Ramlah, from Banu al-Waqī‘ah ibn Harām ibn Ghifār, and he was from Banu Sulaym—says that in Jāhiliyyah, people were polytheists. It was called as such due to the prevalence of their ignorance. He used to think that people were misguided and did not follow anything of the truth or the religion that would benefit them with Allah Almighty. "as they worshipped idols." An idol is anything worshiped apart from Allah, be it made of stone, wood, or trees, and whether it takes the form of a human being or not. Later, he heard about the emergence of a man - meaning the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) - in Makkah who was telling new things concerning Allah Almighty, i.e., the new things related to the prophethood, the message, and the revelation of Allah to him, and the command He sent to him about Tawhīd (monotheism) and the falsity of associating partners with Allah Almighty. So, he mounted his riding animal and traveled to Makkah to learn about the affair of this Prophet. He found the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) hiding from the disbelievers because they were aggressive to him. So, he searched for him in Makkah in a gentle and kind manner so that the Quraysh disbelievers would not repel him, until he found the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "What are you?" i.e., what about your condition and your affair? He did not say, "Who are you?" because he did not want to ask about himself but about his traits. In response, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "I am a Prophet," one of the prophets of Allah, as Allah sent revelation to me. He asked him about the reality that distinguishes a prophet from others, and the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) replied to him that Allah sent him to all humankind. He further asked him: "What did He send you with?" In reply, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told him that He sent him with a message of upholding the ties of kinship, who are a person's relatives and all those who are related to him by blood, whether he is an inheritor of them or not. The tie becomes more affirmed if they have a closer blood relationship. The Prophet's response here was appropriate for the questioner or considering the time and condition. The upholding of kinship ties is probably singled out in consideration of the condition of the Arabs, or because other obligations had not yet been prescribed. And he informed him that Allah Almighty sent him with a message of breaking and destroying the idols, prohibiting the devotion of worship to them, and that oneness must be attributed to Allah alone and worship be devoted to Him alone, not associating any of the creation as partners with Him. ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "Who is with you on that" Tawhīd and religion? The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A free man and a slave man." ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) at the time had with him Abu Bakr as-Siddīq (may Allah be pleased with him), by whom he meant the free man, and Bilāl ibn Rabāh (may Allah be pleased with him), by whom he meant the slave man, among those who believed in him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), believed his message, and followed his religion. ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah as-Sulami (may Allah be pleased with him) said to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "I shall follow you" and this religion, referring to his conversion to Islam. Hence, I shall accompany you and be with you in this position you are in. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "You cannot do that on this day of yours," i.e., at the present time. This is due to the weakness of the Muslims. It is feared that you will be harmed by the Qurayshi disbelievers. He did not reject his conversion to Islam, but rejected the idea that he would remain with him, citing as the reason for that the few supporters of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the strength of the disbelievers and the severe animosity they displayed. So, he ordered him to go back to his people, remain among them, and continue to be Muslim, and when he hears about the dominance of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his victory over the polytheists and the spread of his call across the land, he should come to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). This is an example of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) talking about future and unseen things, and it falls under the signs of his prophethood (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah (may Allah be pleased with him) returned to his people Banu Sulaym. Then, after a while, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) emigrated to Madīnah after staying in Makkah as a prophet for thirteen years, calling people to Tawhīd and the abandonment of Shirk. Meanwhile, ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) was living among his people. So, he began to look out for news about the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) while he was in Madīnah, asking travelers who would pass him by. This continued until there came a group, between three and nine persons, from the people of Yathrib, which was the old name for Madīnah, before the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) changed it to Taybah and Tābah. He asked them: "What happened to this man who came to Madīnah?" He posed the question in this way so as to conceal his condition from whom he asked, lest they might be enemies of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and so they would not tell him the truth, if they knew he was following his religion. This reflects the good understanding, wisdom, and intelligence of ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah (may Allah be pleased with him). They answered him: People are hastening to him to follow his religion and enter Islam. "His people wanted to," i.e., the Quraysh disbelievers wanted to "kill him" by various methods of cunning and deception, "but they could not." Rather, Allah turned their plots back on their necks and protected His Prophet from that. It was said: This is intended to refer to what the Quraysh tribe plotted against the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) after his Hijrah, including the battles of Badr, ’Uhud, and Al-Ahzāb, and others. But they could not eliminate him, as Allah Almighty granted him victory over them. Also, the intended meaning is probably what Allah Almighty mentions in the verse that reads: {And [remember] when the disbelievers plotted against you to take you as captive, kill you, or expel you. They plan, and Allah also plans, but Allah is the Best of those who plan.} [Surat al-Anfāl: 30] This is when they plotted against him in these ways. So, Allah permitted him to immigrate, and after he went to Madīnah, Allah Almighty revealed to him "Surat al-Anfāl" wherein He mentions His favors upon him and the affliction he had suffered.
Then, ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said that he came to Madīnah - after the battles of Badr, ’Uhud, the Trench, and Khaybar - and entered the Prophet's place and said: "O Messenger of Allah, do you recognize me?" He replied: Yes, you are the one who met me in Makkah. So, ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) asked to tell him about what Allah taught the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) of which ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) was ignorant. He also asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to tell him about the prayer and its time. In response, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) instructed him to offer the morning prayer - and its time begins with the appearance of the true dawn - and then desist from prayer until the sun appears and rises to the height with which prayer is no longer disliked; that's 15 minutes after sunrise, according to modern estimation. This demonstrates the times in which prayer was prohibited, and he explained to him the reason behind this prohibition, saying that the sun rises between two horns of a devil, and at that time the disbelievers who worship the sun prostrate themselves to it. The meaning: The devil adorned to some people the worship of the sun at this time, and he used to take sunrise between the two horns in his head and approach it, and so it would rise between his two horns. And the same happens at the time of sunset. It is as if those who prostrate to the sun do prostrate to him. So, this is meant to keep away from imitation of the disbelievers at their time of prayer. This prohibition pertains to supererogatory prayers whose performance is not associated with a specific reason. A Muslim should not offer them at these two times. As for the missed obligatory prayers, they may be performed at all times of prohibition.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed him that after that time he could offer as many supererogatory prayers as he wished, as related in the version by Abu Dāwūd, "for the prayer is witnessed and attended," i.e., the angels attend it to write down its reward and bear witness for those who perform it. So, it is closer to acceptance and the attainment of mercy. So, he prays "until the shadow of the lance shrinks," i.e., the shadow rises with the lance or in the lance, and nothing of it remains on the ground. This refers to the Arab martial lance, which is nine mediocre spans long. The lance was particularly mentioned because when the Arabs wanted to know the time, they would erect their lances on the ground and then look at their shadows.
When things no longer have a shadow, one should refrain from offering supererogatory prayers that are not associated with a specific reason, for this time is one in which "Hell is fired up," i.e., it is intensely kindled. "when the shadow becomes longer" towards the east, "then pray" any prayer you want to offer. "for the prayer is witnessed and attended." Continue to pray as much as you wish "until you perform ‘Asr." Then, stop offering supererogatory prayers after ‘Asr, until the sun sets, for it sets between two horns of a devil, and this is a time at which the disbelievers prostrate themselves to it, as previously mentioned.
Then, ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about ablution and how to perform it. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When any of you approaches his ablution water," i.e., brings water to perform ablution therewith. "and rinses his mouth" by moving water inside the mouth and then discharging it out. "and nose" by inserting water into the nose and then blowing it out to remove any filth inside. the sins of his face, his mouth, and nose "fall." "Then, when he washes his face as Allah commanded him," i.e., in the verse that reads: {when you rise up for prayer, wash your faces.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 6] "the sins of his face will fall with water from the edges of his beard." He mentioned the beard in light of what is more common; yet, it also applies to those who have no beard, such as the beardless men or women. "Then, when he washes his hands up to the elbows," which are the joints in the middle of the arm, "the sins of his hands fall with water from his fingertips. Then, when he wipes over his head, the sins of his head fall with water from the ends of his hair." He mentioned hair in light of what is more common, yet it also applies to those who have no hair. "Then, when he washes his feet up to the ankles" - the two protruding bones at the joint connecting the foot and leg - "the sins of his feet fall with water from his toes." If a person performs ablution in this way and enters the prayer, praises Allah, lauds Him by the well-established attributes, lauds Him by exalting Him above what does not befit Him, and extols Him by ascribing to Him the attributes of glory, might, and honor of which He is worthy; "and empties his heart for Allah," Almighty, i.e., he empties his heart from the impurity of attachment to and reliance upon other than Allah, "he becomes free from his sins" and misdeeds and gets purified from them as he was pure from all sins "on the day his mother gave birth to him."
‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated this Hadīth before Abu ’Umāmah, the Companion of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). So, Abu ’Umāmah said to him: "O ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah, think about," i.e., consider, ponder, "what you are saying" about this abundant reward in return for this little act in one situation and one place; a man is given this great reward! The wording by An-Nasā’i: "Is all of this given in one situation?!" This does not denote suspicion by Abu ’Umāmah of ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with both of them). It is only wonder at the immensity of Allah's bounty. ‘Amr replied: "O Abu Umāmah, I am old in age," "weak in bones," i.e., my bones have become thin and lean - a reference to his weakness. "and close to death." "I do not need" or am prompted "to tell lies about Allah" Almighty" or the Messenger of Allah" (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). The meaning: The usual causes of lying are non-existent in me. I am not a liar. So, "Had I not heard this from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) only once, twice, thrice - and he counted up to seven times," i.e., he said: four times, until he said: seven times. "I would not have narrated it. However, I heard it more than that." In the version by An-Nasā’i: "My ears heard it, and my heart understood it from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)." This means he was scrupulous in narrating these words about the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Besides, his heart kept it for himself, and he did not undergo forgetfulness. This is all due to keenness to ascertain the validity of the narration.
In the Hadīth: Urging the upholding of kinship ties, as Allah Almighty couples it with Tawhīd
And in it: Supererogatory prayers may be offered at any time, except for the prohibited times.
And in it: Demonstrating the time of the morning prayer
And in it: Demonstrating the times in which it is prohibited to offer non-obligatory prayers
And in it: The merit of performing ablution perfectly
And in it: The merit of Khushū‘ (humility and focus) in prayer
And in it: It is prohibited to imitate the disbelievers in their worship
And in it: Showing the merit of Abu Bakr and Bilāl (may Allah be pleased with both of them), as they embraced Islam ahead of others
And in it: Showing the merit of ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah (may Allah be pleased with him) and his wisdom, for he realized during Jāhiliyyah that people were misguided, as they worshiped idols apart from Allah Almighty, and he embraced Islam early on.
And in it: It points out that a Muslim should ask about the best times and places in which he should seek closeness to his Lord and perform a lot of worship to Him.
And in it: News should be verified, even if the reporter is truthful, for he may undergo forgetfulness or the like..

Book of Hadith

| Hadiths

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (ra): “I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) prohibit the prayers at the sunrise and sunset.”
.

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (ra): ‘Al-’Abbaas bin 'Abdul Muttalib asked permission from the Prophet (ﷺ) to stay at Makkah during the nights of Mina in order to provide drinking water (from Zamzam) to the pilgrims, and the Prophet (ﷺ) allowed him.’.

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra): I gave Zamzam water to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and he drank it while standing. `Aasim (a sub-narrator) said that `Ikrimah took the oath that on that day the Prophet (ﷺ) had not been standing but riding a camel..

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra): The Messenger of Allah ﷺperformed the Tawaaf round the Ka’bah and rite of walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah to display his strength to the disbelievers..

Abu ad-Dardā’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever memorizes ten verses from the beginning of Surat al-Kahf will be guarded against the Dajjāl (Anti-Christ).".

Abu ad-Dardā’ reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Is any of you incapable of reciting a third of the Qur'an in a night?" They said: "How does one recite a third of the Qur'an? He said: "{Say: 'He is Allah, the One} equals a third of the Qur'an.".

Abu ad-Dardā’ reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah divided the Qur'an into three parts, and He made Surat {Say: 'He is Allah, the One'} as one of the parts of the Qur'an.".

Book of Hadith

| Hadiths

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (ra): “I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) prohibit the prayers at the sunrise and sunset.” .

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (ra): ‘Al-’Abbaas bin 'Abdul Muttalib asked permission from the Prophet (ﷺ) to stay at Makkah during the nights of Mina in order to provide drinking water (from Zamzam) to the pilgrims, and the Prophet (ﷺ) allowed him.’.

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra): I gave Zamzam water to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and he drank it while standing. `Aasim (a sub-narrator) said that `Ikrimah took the oath that on that day the Prophet (ﷺ) had not been standing but riding a camel..

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra): The Messenger of Allah ﷺperformed the Tawaaf round the Ka’bah and rite of walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah to display his strength to the disbelievers..

Abu ad-Dardā’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever memorizes ten verses from the beginning of Surat al-Kahf will be guarded against the Dajjāl (Anti-Christ).".

Abu ad-Dardā’ reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Is any of you incapable of reciting a third of the Qur'an in a night?" They said: "How does one recite a third of the Qur'an? He said: "{Say: 'He is Allah, the One} equals a third of the Qur'an.".

Abu ad-Dardā’ reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah divided the Qur'an into three parts, and He made Surat {Say: 'He is Allah, the One'} as one of the parts of the Qur'an.".

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (ra): “I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) prohibit the prayers at the sunrise and sunset.”
.