| Hadiths

Bukhari Hadiths 1356
Muslim Hadiths 558

Hadith

1913

Narrated Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them):The Prophet ﷺ said, "We are an illiterate nation; we can neither write nor calculate. The month is like this and this, i.e., sometimes of 29 days and sometimes of thirty days.".

Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, decreed that the sighting of the new moon (crescent) should be usedto determine the timings of the lunar months. The sighting of the crescent marks the end of one lunar month and the beginning of another. Based on this sighting, many religious obligations are determined, such as fasting and Hajj.
In this hadeeth, Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “We are an uneducated nation; we can neither write nor calculate,” meaning that we, as Arabs, are mostly uneducated or unlettered. The Arabic word ‘Ummi’ denotes “motherly,” which indicates the inability to read, write, or calculate.
Reference to arithmetic skills here means the use of astronomical calculation to track the movements of stars, lunar stages, and calculate times and dates. Arabs are predominantly unfamiliar with astronomical calculation, although a few have mastered it.
Therefore, Islam assigns clear signs and obvious marks for acts of worship that require no astronomical calculation. Then, the Prophet ﷺexplained by the use of sign language to clarify for both the deaf and the non-Arabs. He ﷺ said: “The lunar month is such and such.” The narrator said: “He ﷺ pointed with his hands to indicate that the lunar month is either twenty-nine or thirty days. He ﷺ first pointed with all ten fingers of his hands twice, and folded the thumb the third time, to indicate twenty-nine days; and then gestured with his two hands thrice, to indicate thirty days.
A lunar month does not exceed thirty days and is not less than twenty-nine days. The beginning of the month is marked by the sighting of the crescent after the sunset of the twenty-ninth day, and if the crescent is not sighted, the month is thirty days.
It is noteworthy that the description ‘Ummi (uneducated)’ is one of the attributes of perfection with which Allah, Exalted is He, endowed His Messenger ﷺ and praised him, even though it may be considered an attribute of imperfection with respect to others, because the practice of reading and writing is a means to acquire knowledge that often refines people’s personalities and elevates their status. Since Allah, Exalted is He, singled out the Prophet ﷺ for the earlier and latter knowledge without the need of learning how to read and write, it was a miracle in this respect, and an indication of the sincerity with which he ﷺ was described in the earlier heavenly books and by which was known to the previous nations. Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel…} [Quran 7:157].
In his case, illiteracy is perceived as one of his greatest miracles, and the greatest honor conferred upon him, although it is indicative of apparent deficiency and inability for others.
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that the use of sign language is allowable to explain unclear information..

1914

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "None of you should fast a day or two before the month of Ramadan unless he has the habit of fasting (voluntary fasting) (and if his fasting coincides with that day) then he can fast that day.".

Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, decreed that the sighting of the new moon (crescent) should be usedto determine the timing of the lunar months. The sighting of the crescent marks the end of one lunar month and the beginning of another. Based on this sighting, many religious obligations are determined, such as fasting and Hajj.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that the Prophet ﷺ forbade Muslims from fasting the day or two days before the month of Ramadan (the last day or two days of Sha’baan). It is not prescribed for Muslims to observe fasting at the end of Sha’baan as a precaution, because theobligatory fastingis contingent on the sighting of the moon and there should beno Takalluf (i.e., overburdening oneself with undue duties) involved, whether the sky is clear or cloudy.
He ﷺ specifically mentioned the last two days of Sha‘baan because doubt may arise on those two days if the sky happened to be cloudy (and it was not possible to sight the new moon clearly) for two or three months. He ﷺforbade fasting on these days for two reasons.First, for fear that this would involve adding extra days to the month of Ramadan.It was also forbidden to fast on the Day of ‘Eid for the same reason, and to avoid following the example of the People of the Book,who had fallen into adding to their obligatory fasting based on their personal whims and preferences. This is whyit is prohibited to fast on the Day of Doubt, i.e., the last day of Sha‘baan. Second, the religion made the obligatory fasting in Ramadancontingent on the sighting of the moon and fasting on the preceding day or two days implies challenging the rulings of Islam.
Then he ﷺmade an exception from this prohibition if a person is used to fasting on a specific day, such as the case of someone who habitually observes fasting on alternate days or on Mondays, if such were to coincide with these two days. In this case, there is no impediment to fasting on these days because it does not fall under the category of forbidden fasting (as intended in the hadeeth) as per the laws of Islam.
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1915

Narrated Al-Baraa’ (may Allah be pleased with him):It was the custom among the Companions of Muhammad that if any of them was fasting and the food was served (fast-breaking meal), but he slept before eating, he would not eat that night and the following day till sunset. Qays ibn Sirmah Al-Ansaaree was fasting and came to his wife at the time of Iftaar (fast-breaking meal) and asked her whether she had anything to eat. She replied, "No, but I would go and bring some food for you." He used to do hard work during the day, so he was overwhelmed by sleep and fell asleep. When his wife came back and saw him, she said, "Disappointment for you!" When it was midday on the following day, he fainted and the Prophet ﷺ was informed about the whole matter and the following ayah was revealed (which mean): {It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]…} [Quran 2:187] So, they were overjoyed by it, and then Allah also revealed: {And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset...} [Quran 2:187]
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Commentary :
The wisdom of Allah, Exalted is He, entailed that the Quran should not be revealed all at once, but should rather be revealed on different occasions, to ensurethe gradual building and refinement of the Muslim community that He willed for Muslims.Therefore, the ayaat of the Quran were revealed to address the problems and emerging issues that arose.
In this hadeeth, Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib(may Allah be pleased with him)related that when fasting was first made obligatory (in Ramadan), any ofthe Companions (may Allah be pleased with them)who happened to sleep before breaking his fast would not eat that night and would fast the following day,eating onlyafter the Maghrib prayer of the following day! They had a limited window of time to break their fast; from Maghrib prayer to the time when they went to bed that night. If anyone happened to sleep before breaking his fast, he would carry on with fasting on the following day, and then break his fast on the following day.The same was true for engagement in sexual intercourse with their wives.
He (may Allah be pleased with him) also stated that Qays ibn Sirmah Al-Ansaaree(may Allah be pleased with him) was fasting oneday and went to his wife at the time of Maghrib prayer asking her for the Iftaar (fast-breaking) meal. She told him that she hadn’t any food butsought his permission to go and fetch him some. Exhausted after his workday, hefell asleep while waiting for her. When his wife came back and saw him asleep, she said: "Disappointment for you," meaning,“what a deprivation.” Thiswas a commonly used expression for someone who missed out on an attainment to which he aspired. Qays (may Allah be pleased with him)did not eat anything that night and woke up on the following dayand observed fasting. When hewas halfway through the day, he fainted, and the incident was reported to the Prophet ﷺ. On that occasion, Allah, Exalted is He, revealed the ayah that reads (meaning): {It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous.} [Quran 2:187].The ayah means that it is deemed allowable for you to engage in sexual intercourses with your wives, eat, and drink at any time of the night until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread (of night). At that point of the night, it is obligatory on them to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse until sunset. The Companions(may Allah be pleased with them)were overjoyed.

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1916

Narrated ‘Adiy ibn Haatim(may Allah be pleased with him):When the above ayahwas revealed (which means): {And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of the dawn],} [Quran 2:187] I took two (hair) strings, one black and the other white, and kept them under my pillow and went on looking at them throughout the night but could not make anything out of it! So, the next morning I went to Allah's Messenger ﷺ and told him the whole story. He ﷺexplained to me, "That ayah means the darkness of the night and the whiteness of the dawn.".

Commentary :
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was the source of knowledge for his Companions(may Allah be pleased with them); whenever they were confused regarding any of the laws of Islam or the meaning of any ayaatof the Quran, they turned to him for clarification and guidance, and he ﷺ would teach and guide them.
In this hadeeth, ‘Adiy ibnHaatim(may Allah be pleased with him)reports that when the following ayah was revealed (which means): {And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]} [Quran 2:187], it was prescribed for Muslims to eat and drink all night long until dawn, and prior to that they were only allowed to eat and drink after Maghrib prayer until they went to bed. Whenever any of them went to bed, it was not allowed to eat or drink on that night and on the following day as well (until the Maghreb prayer), as narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree. ‘Adiy ibn Haatim(may Allah be pleased with him) understood that the wording of the ayahto be literal,that it meant actualwhite and black threads, and that it is allowable to eat and drink until one could distinguish between them, i.e., after sunrise. Therefore, he brought two ropes (black and white ones) and put them under his pillow to preserve them so that he could easily look at them without having to get up. He would raise the pillow and look at them to determine the beginning of the fast day. After dawn,he would look at the two ropes, but hecould not distinguish the white from the black one, for the daylight was still faint.
Whereupon he (may Allah be pleased with him)went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺand told him the whole story. The Messenger of Allah he ﷺexplained that the correct meaning of theayahwas not to be able to see clearly actualwhite and black threads, but rather meant the ability to distinguish the blackness of the night from the whiteness of the morning, i.e., after dawn, and that the break of dawn was the time limit for the end of the night and the beginning of the morning.This means that whoever wishes to observe fasting is required to abstain from eating and drinking upon seeing that clear and prominent sign, i.e., the break of dawn..

1917

Narrated Sahl ibn Sa’d(may Allah be pleased with him):When the following ayah was revealed(which means): {And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread,} [Quran 2:187] some people who intended to fast, tied black and white threads to their legs and went on eating till they differentiated between the two. Allah then revealed the words, {[of the dawn]}, and it became clear that meant the night and day..

Commentary :
The Noble Quran was not revealed all at once, but was rather revealed to the Prophet ﷺon different occasions, and some ayaat were revealed to further explain and clarify others. The Companions(may Allah be pleased with them)hastened to comply with the divine commands revealed to them.
In this hadeeth, Sahl ibn Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) related the occasion during which the following ayah was revealed. Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {And eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread.} [Quran 2:187].Some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them)understood the wording of the ayah literally, and that it meant actual white and black threads. Therefore, they would bring two threads (a black and a white one) and tie them to their feet and would eat and drink until they were able to differentiate between the black and white one (i.e., to determine the beginning of the fast day after dawn). Afterwards, Allah, Exalted is He, revealed the words {of the dawn} [Quran 2:187].in the ayah, and thereupon they learned that it does not referto actual white and black threads, but rather meant the ability to distinguish the blackness of the night from the whiteness of the morning, i.e., after dawn, and that the break of dawn was the time limit for the end of the night and the beginning of the morning. This means that whoever wishes to observe fasting is required to abstain from eating and drinking upon seeing that clear and prominent sign, i.e., the break of dawn.
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1923

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him):The Prophet ﷺsaid, "Eat Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) for indeed there is a blessing in it."
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Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ did not leave any good pertaining to this worldly life or the Hereafter without guiding Muslims to it and urging them to abide by it.
In the hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺurgedand commanded those who wished to fast to eat the Suhoor (pre-dawn meal). He ﷺ said: “Eat Suhoor,”meaning the pre-dawn meal during the month of Ramadan(obligatory fasting) and otherwise (voluntary fasting). He ﷺ explained: “for indeed there is a blessing in it,”meaning that it abounds in good, benefits, and blessings. The blessings in Suhoor aretastededon account of following the Sunnah and going against the practices of the People of the Book, because they did not eat before dawn. It also helps the fasting person gain strength to be able to endure fasting, boosts his energylevels for the rest of the day, andempowers him to practice self-restraintand repel the urges toexhibit bad mannerstriggered by hunger. The blessings of Suhoor are also manifest in being a reason for giving charity to those who may ask for it at this time, or join him for the Suhoor meal, in reciting Thikr and supplications at a time when they are most likely accepted, and holding the intention of fasting for those who had forgotten to do so before going to bed on the previous night.
Emphasis is placed on eating the Suhoor meal because most people most likely sleep at this time;they may be overwhelmed by sleep and thus miss out on having thisimportant meal, causingthem to experience fatigue at daytime while performing their daily activities and work.
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1924

Narrated Salamah ibn Al-Akwa’ (may Allah be pleased with him):Once the Prophet ﷺordered a person on ‘Aashooraa’ (the 10th day of Muharram) to announce, "Whoever has eaten, should not eat any more, but observe fasting, and who has not eaten should not eat, but complete his fast (till the end of the day)”.
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Commentary :
The Day of ‘Aashooraa’ is one of the blessed days of Allah, Exalted is He, on which He saved His Prophet Moosaa from Pharaoh and his army. The Messenger of Allahﷺ fasted it, and commanded Muslims to fast as well. It was the first prescribed fast for Muslims before fasting was deemed obligatory in Ramadan.
In this hadeeth, Salamah ibn Al-Akwa‘ (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that the Prophet ﷺ sent a man, i.e., Hind ibn Asmaa’ ibn Haarithah Al-Aslamee(may Allah be pleased with him), as stated in Musnad Ahmad and other Hadeeth collections, to announce to people on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’, the 10th day of the sacred month of Muharram, that whoever had eaten on that day should abstain from eating for the rest of the day until the time of Iftaar, to honor the sacredness of this blessed day, and that whoever had not eaten yet should hold the intention of fasting and fast.
After the fasting of Ramadan was deemed obligatory, fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’became optional.It has been reported that fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ expiates the sins committed during the previous year, as reported on the authority of Aboo Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him) and narrated by Imam Muslim.
Many narrations have been reported regarding the reasons why the Prophet ﷺ fasted onthe Day of ‘Aashooraa’. For instance, it was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said:“When the Prophet ﷺ came to Al-Madeenah, he found (the Jews) fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ (i.e., 10th of Muharram). They used to say: "This is a great day on which Allah, Exalted is He, saved Prophet Moosaa and drowned the folk of Pharaoh. Moosaa observed the fast on this day, as a sign of gratitude to Allah." The Prophet ﷺ said, "I am closer to [Prophet] Moses than they!" So, he observed fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it.” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].
Moreover, it was reported on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)that the Prophet ﷺ said about the Day of ‘Aashooraa’: “That was a day on which the people of pre-Islamic days used to observe fast. So, he who amongst you likes to observe fast should do so, and he who does not like it should abandon it.” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].
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1926

‘Aa’ishah and Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with them)said:At times, Allah's Messenger ﷺ used to get up in the morning in a state of Janaabah (i.e., post sexual-intercourse ritual impurity) after having sexual relations with his wives, take a bath and fast.
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Commentary :
The Companions sometimes held different opinions regarding certain issues, but they abided by the due Islamic etiquette of disagreement that the Prophet ﷺ taught them.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abd Al-Rahmaan ibn Al-Haarith, a Taabi‘i (Follower, from the generation of Muslims who followed the Companions), narrated thathe told Marwaan ibn Al-Hakam that the Mothers of Believers ‘Aa’ishah and Umm Salamah(may Allah be pleased with them) told him that the Prophet ﷺ sometimes woke upafter dawn in a state of Janaabah after having intimate relations with some of his wives,and that he ﷺ would perform Ghusl and observe fasting on that day, as long as he ﷺ had not eaten or drunk anything after dawn. This indicates the permissibility ofcommencing fasting while being in a state of Janaabah before performing Ghusl. The state of Janaabah refers to the post sexual-intercourse state of major ritual impurity experienced by whoever discharges(ejaculates) Manniy (semen) or engages in a sexual intercourse, and the Arabic word denotes the refrainment from prayer and certain worshipful acts until attaining ritual purity (by performing Ghusl).
When Marwaan ibn Al-Hakam, who was then the governor of Al-Madeenah,heard that, he made‘Abd Al-Rahman swear to tell this hadeeth to Aboo Hurayrah(may Allah be pleased with him) - for he used to give Fatwa (scholarly opinion) that whoever wakes upin a state of Janaabah in the morning, his fast on that day is not valid - because the wives of the Prophet ﷺwere the most knowledgeable in such matters. He added: “I urge you tosurprise Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)with it,” and this could also mean to rebuke him with it.Marawaan made ‘Abd Al-Rahmaanswear to inform Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) of that hadeeth to investigate the relevant ruling further, to know whether or not he (may Allah be pleased with him)knew of another abrogated text, or one that abrogated this ruling, or warranted specification of its general indication or its interpretation to a different effect.
‘Abd Al-Rahmaan ibnAl-Haarith disliked doing what Marwaan ibn Al-Hakam asked him to do, and later on met with Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)at the Miqaat of Dhul-Haleefah, theMiqaat of the people of Al-Madeenah who wish to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah.This place is currently known as Aabaar ‘Ali,a specified placeat the beginning of the route from Al-Madeenah to Makkah, about six miles (approximately 13 km) away from Al-Madeenah and two hundred miles (approximately 408 km) away from Makkah, and it is the farthest Miqaat from Makkah. Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) owned a plot of land there. ‘Abd Al-Rahmaan said to him, “I shall tell you something, and had not Marawaan urged me to do so, I would not have brought it up!” He then informed him of the statement the Mothers of the Believers ‘Aa’ishah and Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with them). Thereupon, Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) told him that Al-Fadhl ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) had reported to him that the Prophet ﷺ said that whoever wakes up in the morning of a fast day while being in a state of Janaabah, his fasting is invalid, but ‘Aa’ishah and Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with them) were more knowledgeable of such matters.A version of the hadeeth cited in Saheeh Muslim reads: “Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) ‘Have they said that?’ He (‘Abd Al-Rahmaan) replied: ‘Yes!’ Thereupon, Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) ‘They are more knowledgeable (of such matters)!’”
Clearly, they were more knowledgeable of such matters than Al-Fadhl (may Allah be pleased with them), and their statement in this regard is given precedence overothers, because they narrated it based on close observation of the Prophet’s private life, unlike others.
It is deduced fromm the hadeeth that Muslims should accept and embrace the truth and give up opinions that are proven wrong by means of sound argument and proof.
It is also inferred from it that it is permissible for scholars to visit therulers, discuss with them issues of knowledge, and obey them in what is permissible and good.
Finally, it is deduced that ifa religious ruling on a given matter is disputed, it should be referred to the ones who are most likelyknowledgeable of it.
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1927

‘Narrated Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her):
The Prophet ﷺ used to kiss and embrace (his wives) while he was fasting, and he had more power to control his sexual desires than any of you.”Narrated Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him): "The person who discharges (semen) after casting a look (on his wife) should complete his fast.".

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ made clear for us the permissible and impermissible acts for a fasting person by means of his sayings and actions, and the honorable Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) reported such sayings and actions to us.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of Believers ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of the Prophet ﷺ, clarified to us the allowable acts of intimacy between spousesduring fasting. She (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Prophet ﷺ used to kiss and embrace (his wives) while he was fasting,” meaning kissing ortouching (skin-to-skin contact), without engaging in sexual intercourse, such asforeplay and embracing. He ﷺ used to do so in the obligatory and voluntary fasting. She (may Allah be pleased with her) added: “… and he had more power to control his sexual desires than any of you,” meaning that he ﷺ had the best self-control ability to curb his sexual desires from invalidating his fast. The Arabic word ‘Al-’Irab’ used in the hadeeth refers to the sexual need or body part. The Mother of the Believers ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her)indicated by her saying: “… and he had more power to control his sexual desires than any of you,” that it is permissible to kiss and to engage in lesser acts of intimacy (without actually having sexual intercourse) for those who are able to control themselvesso that there is no fear of ejaculation or even having sex.
The hadeeth also highlights the good manners of the Prophet ﷺ and his kindness with his wives.
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1929

Zaynab(may Allah be pleased with her), the daughter of Umm Salamah, narrated that her mother said, "While I was (lying) with Allah's Messenger ﷺ underneath a woolen sheet, I got the menstrual bleeding, and then slipped away and put on the clothes (which I used to wear) in menses. He asked, "What is the matter? Did you get your menses?" I replied in the affirmative and then entered underneath that woolen sheet. I and Allah's Messenger ﷺ used to take a bath from one water pot and he used to kiss me while he was fasting.".

Commentary :
The Mothers of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with them), the wives of the Prophet ﷺ, reported to us manydetails of his private life with them. This has helped tofurther explain the laws of Islam and clarify for Muslims their religion.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers, Umm Salamah, Hind bint Aboo Umayyah(may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that while she was lying next to the Prophet ﷺ beneath a blanket or covering called ‘Al-Khameelah,’a black sheet made of wool or other fabric, she experienced the menstrual bleeding. Therefore, shegot up hurriedly anddiscreetly so thatno blood shouldreach the Prophet’s ﷺbody. It could also mean that she was disgusted to sleep next to him in such acondition. She (may Allah be pleased with her)took the clothes that she had prepared to wear during menstruation to put them on. Thereupon, the Prophet ﷺnoticed and said to her: "What is the matter? Did you get your period?" She (may Allah be pleased with her) replied in the affirmative and then he ﷺ asked her to come back to bed next to him underneath that woolen sheet (Khameelah).
She (may Allah be pleased with her)also stated that she and the Prophet ﷺ used to take a bath from one water pot while both were in a state of Janaabah. They used to share the same water pot during Ghusl and he ﷺused to kiss her while he was fasting, for he ﷺhad more power in controlling his sexual desires, and kissing his wives would not result in engaging in sexual intercourse during daytime of Ramadan, as the Mother of the Believers ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “… and he had more power to control his sexual desires than any of you.” It is deduced therefrom that it is allowable for a Muslim man to kiss and engage in Mubaasharah (i.e., lesser acts of intimacy like kissing, embracing, and skin-to-skin contact without engaging in sexual intercourse) with his wife during daytime inRamadan, provided that he has the power to control himself and abstain from any act of intimacy where there is fear of ejaculation or engaging in sexual intercourse.
It is also inferred from the hadeeth that it is preferable for a woman to wear special clothes for menstruation, other than her usual clothes.
The hadeeth also underlines the good manners of the Prophet ﷺ and his kindness with his wives..

1938

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him):The Prophet ﷺhad Hijaamah performed on him while he was in the state of lhraam (i.e., ritual state of consecration), and also while he was observing fasting..

Commentary :
Hijaamah (cupping therapy)is one of the ancient forms of alternative medicine used to remove bad blood from the body.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullahibn ‘Abbaas(may Allah be pleased with them) informed us that the Prophet ﷺhad Hijaamah performed on him while he was in a state of lhraam (ritual state of consecration), and also while he was fasting.
The apparent indication of the hadeeth is that it refers to two sperate occasions. The version of the hadeeth cited in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree reads: “The Prophet ﷺhad Hijaamah performed on his head while he was in a state of lhraam to cure migraine headaches. This took place in Lahy Jamal,a place between Makkah and Al-Madeenah, about seven miles (12 km) away from Al-Madeenah..

1940

Narrated Thaabit Al-Bunaanee:Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him)was asked whether they believed that undertaking Hijaamah therapyis disliked for a fasting person. He replied in the negative and said, "No [not for a religious reason], except for fear of weakness.".

Commentary :
Hijaamah (wet cupping therapy) is one of the ancient forms of alternative medicine used to remove bad blood from the body.
In this hadeeth,the Taab’iee Thaabit Al-Bunaaneeinforms us that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked whether they believed that Hijaamah therapy was disliked for a fasting person during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ.
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) clarifiedthat it was held as non-prohibitivelydisliked(Makrooh Tanzeehan) rather than prohibitively disliked (Makrooh Tahreeman), because it may cause fatigue during fasting, possibly drainingthe fasting person and requiringhim to getnutrients into his body (i.e., break his fast).
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1942

‘Narrated Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her):Hamzah ibn ‘Amr Al-Aslamee(may Allah be pleased with him) said, "O Allah's Messenger!I fast continuously."
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Commentary :
Islam commands Muslims to avail of their share of the worldly life, and not to neglect the right of Allah to be worshipped. Thus, it preaches harmonious balance between the life of the body and that of the heart. Some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them)used to abide by the original religious rulings rather than opting for concessionsgranted by the religion with the aim of drawing closer to Allah, without hindering their abilities to carry on with their normal everyday activities.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) stated that Hamzah ibn ‘Amr Al-Aslamee(may Allah be pleased with him) told the Prophet ﷺ he used to fast continuously, meaning to fast all year long,except for days when fasting is deemed forbidden such as the two days of ‘Eid andthe days of Tashreeq (i.e., the 11th 12th and 13th of Thoo al-Hijjah).
A version of the hadeeth in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim states that he (may Allah be pleased with him) said so to the Prophet ﷺ because hetravelled often and was asking about fasting while traveling. The Prophet ﷺ said: “You may fast if you wish or refrain from fastingif you wish!” As far as voluntary fasting while traveling is concerned, a person is given the choice to observe fasting or refrain from it. The prohibition of fasting continuously (all year long) has been reported in the Sunnah. It has been narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet ﷺ said to him: “There is no (reward for) fasting (for him) who fasts perpetually (all year long).” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].
To reconcile between the two hadeeths,scholars have advised that the wisdom behind forbidding fasting perpetually (all year long) is that it drains a person and renders him unable to partake in Jihaad and fulfill the rights due on him. However, if someone has the physical strength to endure fasting all year long while fulfilling the rights due on him (and carry out his obligations), there is no harm in that..

1943

‘Aa’ishah(may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of the Prophet ﷺ, said:“Hamzah ibn ‘Amr Al-Aslamee(may Allah be pleased with him)asked the Prophet ﷺ: "Should I fast while traveling?" The Prophet ﷺreplied, "You may fast if you wish, and you may not fast if you wish.”
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Commentary :
Travelling is a tortuous experience and it is usually accompanied by fatigue and hardship. Therefore, Allah, Exalted is He,has relieved travelersof certain religious duties and the Laws of Islamhas granted him legal concessions to eliminate such hardship. However, some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to abide by the original religious rulings rather than opting for legal concessions granted by the religion with the aim of drawing closer to Allah.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) stated that Hamzah ibn ‘Amr Al-Aslamee(may Allah be pleased with him)asked the Prophet ﷺwhether or not he should fast while traveling. The Prophet ﷺ gave him the choice to fast or refrain from fasting while traveling. He ﷺ said: "You may fast if you wish, and you may not fast if you wish.”
Refrainment from fasting while traveling is a legal concession granted to the traveler, upon whom fasting is otherwise deemed obligatory. A traveler is given the choice between availing himself of this legal concession or abiding by the original ruling.
Hamzah ibn ‘Amr Al-Aslamee(may Allah be pleased with him)observed voluntary fasting often and it has been reported in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim that he even used to fast continuously, meaning all year long, except for days when fasting is deemed forbidden, such as the two days of ‘Eidand the days of Tashreeq (i.e., the 11th 12th and 13th of Thoo al-Hijjah).
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1945

Narrated Aboo Al-Dardaa’ (may Allah be pleased with him):We set out with Allah's Messengerﷺon one of his journeys on a very hot day, and it was so hot that one had to put his hand over his head because of the severity of heat. None of us was fasting except the Prophet ﷺand Ibn Rawaahah (may Allah be pleased with him).
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Commentary :
Traveling is not free of physical and psychological hardship, and therefore, Allah, Exalted is He, relieved travelersof certain religious duties, and the Laws of Islam grants legal concessions to eliminate such hardship. However, some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to abide by the original rulings rather than opting for legal concessions granted by the Laws of Islam whenever they were able to do so, with the aim of drawing closer to Allah.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Al-Dardaa’ (may Allah be pleased with him) related that they set off on a journey with the Prophet ﷺ on a very hot day during the month ofRamadan, as stated in the narration in Saheeh Muslim. It was so hot thatthe Companions had toput their hands over their heads because of the severity of the heat. None of them fasted on that day except for the Prophet ﷺ and‘Abdullahibn Rawaahah(may Allah be pleased with him).The rest of the Companions(may Allah be pleased with them) availed themselves of thelegal concession in this regard. Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {…and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.} [Quran 2:185].
It has been reported that the Prophet ﷺ refrained from fasting during some of his travels and criticized those who were fasting, as narrated in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah(may Allah be pleased with them): “The Messenger of Allahﷺwent off to Makkah in Ramadan in the year of the Conquest, and they fasted until they arrived at Kuraa‘Al-Ghameem (i.e., a valley two stages from Makkah on the way to Al-Madeenah). He ﷺthen called for a cup of water which he raised until people looked at it, and then he drank. He ﷺwas told afterwards that some people had carried on with their fast (and had not broken it). Thereupon, heﷺ said, “Those are the disobedient ones; those are the disobedient ones.””
The reason the Prophet ﷺ described those people as ‘disobedient’ was that he ﷺ had commandedthem to break their fast and it was upon them to obey him. He ﷺ sometimes commanded Muslims verbally and sometimes tacitly by his actions.When he ﷺ broke his fast, this was a tacit command for themto avail themselves of the relevant legal concession so that they would gain strengthen forJihaad. Since these disobedient people refused to comply with his command, they fell into manifest error. They were described as ‘disobedient’ because in doing so they contravened the Laws of Islam..

833

‘Ā’ishah reported: 'Umar made a mistake. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has only forbidden seeking the rising of the sun and its setting..

Commentary : The five obligatory prayers have definite times; however, the supererogatory and voluntary prayer is permissible at any time except that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has forbidden praying at certain times. Out of their extreme keenness to carry out obligations and the acts of Sunnah, avoid prohibitions, and maintain the trust of reporting the Shariah, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to correct each other's mistakes and comment on one another.
In this Hadīth, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) says: "'Umar made a mistake," referring to 'Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) in reporting the absolute prohibition of prayer after 'Asr. She reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had only forbidden "seeking the rising of the sun and its setting." i.e., he forbade intentionally and deliberately praying when the sun rises or sets but did not forbid praying in general after dawn or after ‘Asr. It is said: Rather, the prohibition of prayer during these two times is not a mistake, and ‘Ā’ishah's opinion was based on her own deduction and interpretation. As for the Hadīth text narrated by ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), others from the Companions also narrated it, and more than one understood it the way ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) understood it.
The reason behind the prohibition of prayer during these two times is that the sun rises and sets along with the devil's horn and because some of the disbelievers used to prostrate to the sun and offer prayer to it during these two times. Hence, he forbade praying during them to oppose those disbelievers. Other narrations were reported about permitting prayer at sunrise and sunset, as mentioned in the Two Sahīh Collections: "Whoever catches up with one Rak'ah before the sun rises, he has caught up with the Morning prayer..." When combined with this Hadīth, it is understood that the prohibition refers to the voluntary and supererogatory prayer during such times. As for the one who could not catch up with the prayer at the beginning of its time for a valid excuse, he is permitted to pray at the end of its time and to catch up with the prayer before sunrise and before sunset. Or perhaps the prohibition refers to the act of seeking the rising and setting of the sun on purpose, as for the one who does not do this on purpose - like the one who wakes up from his sleep or the one who remembers after being forgetful - it is permissible for him to pray and there is no blame on him.
The Hadīth warns against keenness on praying at the time when the sun rises and sets..

835

Abu Salamah reported that he asked 'Ā’ishah about the two prostrations that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray after 'Asr, she said: "He used to pray them before 'Asr, but then he got distracted or forgot them, so he prayed them after 'Asr; then, he continued observing them, for whenever he offered a prayer, he would stick to observing it.".

Commentary : Prayer is the best matter, and a Muslim is allowed to offer voluntary prayer at any time of night or day except for the times in which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited voluntary prayer, namely after dawn until sunrise and after 'Asr until sunset.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi'i Abu Salamah ibn' Abdur-Rahmān ibn' Awf reports that he asked the Mother of the Believers, 'Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), about the two Rak'ahs (unit of prayer) that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray after 'Asr, and why he prayed them, or whether the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed them regularly or not. Thereupon, 'Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "He used to pray them before 'Asr," i.e., as a supererogatory and Sunnah Qabliyyah (before the obligatory prayer) of the 'Asr prayer. "Then, he got distracted from them or forgot them," being doubtful about the reason why he did not pray them before 'Asr that time. "Then, he continued observing them" after that, "as whenever he offered a prayer, he would continue observing it" regularly.
In the Two Sahīh Collections, the reason why he did not pray the two Rak'ahs before 'Asr is mentioned, as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said while talking to' Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her): "O Daughter of Abu' Umayyah, you asked about the two Rak'ahs after 'Asr. Some people of 'Abdul-Qays came to me and distracted me from the two Rak'ahs after Zhuhr, so those are the two (Rak'ahs I was praying)." This indicates that the two Rak‘ahs were offered to make up for the missed Sunnah Ba‘diyyah (after the obligatory prayer) of Zhuhr and not to make up for the missed two Rak‘ahs before ‘Asr..

836

Mukhtār ibn Fulful reported: I asked Anas ibn Mālik about the voluntary prayer after ‘Asr, and he said: "'Umar used to strike hands for a prayer (offered) after 'Asr, and we used to offer two Rak'ahs after sunset before the Maghrib prayer during the time of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)." I asked him, "Did the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) observe them?" He said: "He used to see us observing them, but he neither commanded nor forbade us.".

Commentary : Prayer is one of the best acts that bring closeness to Allah Almighty; hence, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen on it as a means of drawing closer to Allah Almighty.
This Hadīth emphasizes the Muslims' keenness to learn the religion. The Tābi‘i Mukhtār ibn Fulful narrates that he asked Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) about offering voluntary prayer after the ‘Asr prayer. Anas informed him that during the Caliphate of 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), he used to strike hands for praying after 'Asr, which is an indirect reference to his prohibition of such a prayer because he did not see the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) doing this. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with him) used to follow the Prophet's example in everything; so, whenever he did something, they would race to do it, and whenever he abandoned something, they would leave it. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to forbid praying after ‘Asr for fear of offering a prayer during the prohibited time, namely at sunset. Then, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: And we used to offer two Rak‘ahs after sunset before the Maghrib prayer during the time of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), i.e., between the Adhān (call to prayer) and the Iqāmah (second call to prayer). Mukhtār ibn Fulful asked him: Did the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) observe them? Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) replied saying: He used to see us observing them, but he neither commanded nor forbade us, which denotes his approval of the permissibility of this voluntary prayer.
The Hadīth encourages the act of offering supererogatory prayers.
It also points out the Prophet's approval of offering prayer before Maghrib..

840

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh reported: I witnessed the prayer of fear with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). We stood in two rows behind the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the enemy was between us and the Qiblah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said takbīr and we all did. He then bowed and we all bowed. He then raised his head from bowing, and we all did. He then prostrated with the row behind him, while the back row stood in the face of the enemy. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) completed the prostration and the row behind him stood, the back row prostrated and then stood up. Then, the back row moved to the front and the front row moved to the back. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) bowed and we all bowed. He then raised his head from bowing, and we also raised our heads. Then, he and the row behind him, which was back in the first Rak‘ah, prostrated, whereas the back row stood in the face of the enemy. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the row behind him finished the prostration, the back row prostrated. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ended the prayer with taslīm and we all did the same. Jābir said: ''As those guards of yours do with their leaders.'.

Commentary : The prayer of fear is the prayer whose time comes when the Muslims are engaged in fighting the enemy. Since prayer is the greatest among the practical pillars of Islam, it does not cease to be due under any condition, even during war.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reports on one of the ways of performing the prayer of fear during war, as he witnessed the prayer of fear with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). The entire army was lined up behind him in two successive rows, with the enemy standing between them and the Qiblah. This indicates that everyone will face the enemy, whether those who stand for prayer or those who stand for guarding. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commenced the prayer and said the takbīr of ihrām, and the whole army said takbīr with him. Then, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) bowed after the recitation, and they all bowed. Then, he raised his head from Rukū‘, and they all raised their heads. Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prostrated, and the row behind him prostrated, whereas the back row remained standing to guard those who were prostrating in front of them. They stood in the face of the enemy and opposite them, lest the enemy might attack while they were prostrating. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) finished the two prostrations, and the row behind him, that prostrated the first time, stood up, the back row came down to prostrate. Then, when they finished the prostration, they stood up. Then, the back row stepped forward and stood in the place of the first row—after becoming equal to them in terms of standing behind the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the second Rak'ah—and the first row stepped back. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) bowed after the standing and recitation, and the entire army bowed. Then he raised his head from Rukū‘, and the entire army raised their heads. Then he came down to prostrate, and so did the row behind him, who stood in the back in the first Rak'ah, whereas the back row got up and stood in the face of the enemy to guard those who were prostrating. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the row behind him finished the prostration, the back row came down to prostrate, and after they finished the prostration and tashahhud, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) made taslīm, and all worshipers made taslīm after him, for they completed their prayer.
Then, Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) said to those around him: ''As those guards of yours have a certain protocol with their leaders," i.e., the servants of the ruler who are assigned to protect and guard him, their prayer is like the prayer the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when he faced the enemy.
Numerous ways are reported for performing the prayer of fear, and this is one of the versions about the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in this regard. He performed it on different days and in diverse ways in which he sought what is more cautious for prayer and more effective for guarding. This prayer has different forms, but they are all consistent in intent.
In the Hadīth: Demonstrating the manner and form of the prayer of fear
And in it: Demonstrating the significance of congregational prayer, as its performance was prescribed in the state of fear. So, it is more appropriate for a person who is safe and secure to observe it.
And in it: Taking precautions against the enemy at the time of the battle by all means
And in it: The religion enjoins the acts of worship that preserve a person before Allah in the Hereafter and enjoins the pursuit of means that preserve a person in worldly life
And in it: It shows the ease of the Shariah for those accountable to perform prayer.

853

Abu Burdah ibn Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari related: ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar said to me: "Did you hear your father narrating from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the hour on Friday?" I said: "Yes, I heard him say: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'It is between the time when the Imām sits down and the end of the prayer.''".

Commentary : Out of His wisdom, Allah Almighty favored some creatures over others and favored some places over others, like favoring Makkah over all other places; and He favored some times over others, like favoring Friday over other days of the week.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Abu Burdah ibn Abi Mūsa al-Ash‘ari informs that ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him: Did you hear your father - that is Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) - narrating from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the hour of Friday. By this, he meant the hour when supplications are answered - about which Al-Bukhāri and Muslim narrated a Hadīth - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There is a time on Friday at which no Muslim asks Allah for what is good except that He will grant it to him." So, Allah responds to he who supplicates and asks of Him by granting him his request or better than that, averting affliction or evil from him, or keeping it in store for him until the Day of Judgment. Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) meant to ask about its specific time, as to which part of the day it is exactly. In response, Abu Burdah told him that he heard a Hadīth regarding this from his father (may Allah be pleased with him), in which he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "It is between the time when the Imām sits down" on the pulpit after ascending it. And it was said: When he sits down between the two sermons - until the Friday prayer is finished.
There is a difference of opinion over the specification of this hour, with numerous views involved. The strongest among these views are two: First: What is mentioned in the Hadīth: It is between the time when the Imām sits down and the end of the prayer. Second: It is from after the ‘Asr until sunset, in the latter time of Friday.
In the Hadīth: Demonstrating the time of the hour of answered supplications on Friday
And in it: We are urged to look for the time of answered supplications on Friday and utilize them..

854

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best day the sun has risen upon is Friday: on it Adam was created, on it he was admitted into Paradise, and on it he was driven out of it. The Hour will not come except on Friday.".

Commentary : Out of His wisdom, Allah Almighty favored some of His creations over others. This includes favoring some days over others, like the day of ‘Arafah, the Night of Decree, and Friday; each time of them has a different merit than others.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that the best day among the days of the week upon which the sun rises is Friday. One of the characteristics of this day is that Allah Almighty created Adam, the father of humanity (peace be upon him). Allah Almighty made him dwell in Paradise, and on this day, Adam and his wife were driven out of Paradise, and he descended to earth for viceregency thereon. His departure from it is the departure of someone who will return to it, for Paradise is originally his dwelling, as Allah Almighty says: {Dwell in Paradise, you, and your wife.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 35] The day Adam (peace be upon him) came out of Paradise is the day he assumed viceregency on earth and came down to it. The Hour - i.e., the Day of Judgment - will not come except on Friday between dawn and sunrise.
It was said that the mention of these important events and these few issues, which took place on Friday, is not meant for mentioning the merit of this day, since what happened on Friday, like driving Adam out and the coming of the hour, is not regarded as meritorious; rather, this is intended to highlight the significance of the events that took place on it, like the beginning and end of creation. It was also said: Rather, these are merits because the departure of Adam from Paradise is a reason for producing these progeny and huge descendants and the existence of the messengers, the prophets, and the pious people. Also, the events of the Hour enjoy great significance, for they constitute a reason for Allah to hasten His promise to the believers and His threat to the disbelievers, the appearance of the recompense of the prophets, the people of the truth, the pious persons, and others, and the display of their honor and noble statue. On the Day of Judgment, the banners of the Muslims will go high in confirmation of their Imān (faith).
In the Hadīth: The superiority of Friday to the other days.

856

Abu Hurayrah and Hudhayfah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah diverted from Friday those who were before us. For the Jews there was Saturday, and for the Christians there was Sunday. And Allah brought us and guided us to Friday. He made Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and they, likewise, will come after us on the Day of Judgment. We are the last among the people in this world and the first ones on the Day of Judgment for whom judgment will be passed before all creation." In a version: among whom judgment will be passed. [And in a version]: We were guided to Friday, and Allah diverted from it those who were before us..

Commentary : Out of His wisdom, Allah Almighty favored some of His creation over others. This includes favoring some days over others, like the day of ‘Arafah, the Night of Decree, and Friday; each time of them has a different merit than the others.
In this Hadīth, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that Allah Almighty diverted from Friday and from holding it in high regard to the nations who came before us. This was because they opposed their prophets. The Jews chose Saturday, claiming that Allah had finished the creation on Saturday. And the Christians chose Sunday, claiming that Allah Almighty began the creation on it. Then, Allah brought the Ummah of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), who believed in him and acknowledged his message, so Allah guided us to Friday and directed us, out of His bounty and mercy, to extolling and worshiping Him on it. "So He made Friday" an Eid for the Muslims, "Saturday" an Eid for the Jews, "and Sunday" an Eid for the Christians.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned that the Jews and the Christians will come after this Ummah of Muhammad on the Day of Judgment, as they came after them in the order of days. So, they will be after them in terms of the reckoning, the judgment, and entering Paradise. Although this Ummah existed in this world later than the previous communities, they will be ahead of them in the Hereafter, in that they will be the first to be resurrected and reckoned and the first to be judged among the people, to enter Paradise. In a version: "among whom judgment will be passed" instead of "for whom judgment will be passed," i.e., judgment will be passed among them with regard to their rights.
In the Hadīth: Allah Almighty honored this Ummah and preferred it over the other nations that came before it..

857

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever takes a bath and then comes to the Friday prayer, and then prays as much as is written for him, and then keeps silent until the Imām finishes the sermon, and then prays along with him, his sins between that time and the next Friday will be forgiven, with an addition of three days.".

Commentary : Friday is a momentous day, and it is the best of the days of the week. On it, the Muslims gather for the prayer. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) urged us to purify ourselves and beautify our appearance on this day, especially at the time of the Friday prayer.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that if a person takes a bath, pouring water all over his body - the bath on Friday is affirmed regarding every male adult Muslim who is obligated to perform the Friday prayer - and then goes to the mosque and attends it early before the Imām ascends the pulpit, and he offers supererogatory prayers as much as is predestined for him and as Allah wills him to pray, performing two Rak‘ahs at a time, as reported about the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the supererogatory prayer; and then he keeps silent until the Imām finishes the sermon, and then prays the two-Rak‘ah Friday prayer with him, his reward will be that Allah will forgive his sins from this time in which he performs the Friday prayer to the similar time the next Friday, in addition to three days. Thus, a good deed is multiplied ten times, as Friday becomes equivalent to ten days.
The intended meaning here is that Allah forgives the minor sins; as for the major sins, they require full repentance. In Sahīh Muslim Collection, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The five prayers, and the Friday prayer to the next Friday prayer, and Ramadan to the next Ramadan are expiations of the sins committed in between them, so long as major sins are avoided."
The etiquettes reported in the Sunnah in relation to Friday include applying perfume, wearing the best clothes for the Friday prayer, going to the mosque early, and not passing through the rows.
In the Hadīth: The merit of taking a bath on Friday
And in it: Urging the performance of supererogatory prayers before the Imām ascends the pulpit on Friday
And in it: We are urged to listen to the sermon.

858

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullah reported: We used to pray with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), then return and give rest to our Nawādih (camels used for carrying water). Hasan said: I said to Ja'far: What time was that? He replied: At the sun's decline, its zenith..

Commentary : Allah Almighty has set an appointed time for prayer; thus, a Muslim is not allowed to offer the prayer before or delay it after its time except with a valid excuse.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reports that people used to pray - referring to the Friday prayer as clarified by another version of Muslim - with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Then, after finishing the prayer, they would return from the mosque to their houses, where they would rest and give rest to their Nawādih, the plural of Nādih, which is the camel used for carrying water. It is said: "Rawāh" (from which "nurīh" (give rest) is derived) means returning with the livestock from the pasture.
Then, Hasan ibn' Ayyāsh - one of the Hadīth narrators - reported that he asked his Shaykh, Ja'far ibn Muhammad, about this hour when the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer the Friday prayer. Ja‘far informed him that the time of prayer was the time of the sun's decline, which is the time when the sun moves from the middle of the sky, and it is a sign of the beginning of the Zhuhr prayer or the Friday prayer. It is possible that his question was about the time of their return, and in this case, their prayer would be before the sun's decline.
The Hadīth indicates exaggeration in hastening the Friday prayer and that they used to delay their lunch and siesta on that day until after the Friday prayer because they were recommended to go early to this prayer. So, if they got distracted by anything of this before the Friday prayer, they would fear missing it or missing the chance of going there early..

860

Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘ reported: We used to perform the Friday prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) after the sun had passed the meridian, and then we would return and try to find "al-Fay'' (the shadow)..

Commentary : The Friday sermon is one of the rites of religion and it has a profound impact on the lives of Muslims, as everyone, young and old, attends it, listens to the preacher, and learns the matters of their religion.
In this Hadīth, Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘(may Allah be pleased with him) says that they used to perform the Friday prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) "after the sun had passed the meridian," which happens when the sun moves from the middle of the sky. Then, they would return and try to find "al-Fay,’'' the place on which the sun ray falls and then goes away and leaves behind a shadow.
In a version of the Two Sahīh Collections it is reported by Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘ (may Allah be pleased with him), and the wording here is by Muslim: "When the walls had no shadow for us to take shelter in it." This is because they used to go for Friday prayer early and return before the walls had shadows in which they could take shelter, as the heat was severe in Madīnah and they would look for places having shadows to sit there and take rest.
In the Hadīth: The keenness to perform prayer at its earliest time.

862

Jābir ibn Samurah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to deliver the Khutbah (sermon) while standing. He would then sit down, stand up, and give the Khutbah while standing. Whoever informs you that he used to deliver the Khutbah while sitting has, indeed, lied. By Allah, I prayed more than two thousand prayers with him..

Commentary : The Friday Khutbah is one of the religion's rituals, and it greatly impacts Muslims' lives. It is attended by the young and the old, who all listen to the Khatīb (preacher) and learn the affairs of their religion.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that he used to offer the Friday prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He used to see him delivering the Friday Khutbah while standing on the pulpit. After the first Khutbah, he would then sit for a short while on the pulpit. Then, he would get up and deliver the Khutbah while standing, preaching to people and teaching them their religion. Jābir ibn Samurah, then, said to the Tābi‘i Simāk ibn Harb: "Whoever informs you that he used to deliver the Khutbah while sitting has, indeed, lied," i.e., made a mistake, as the Arabs used to say to the one who made a mistake: He lied. "By Allah, I prayed with him more than two thousand prayers," which confirms the great extent of his knowledge and memorization of the manner adopted by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in his prayers and sermons, including delivering his Khutbah on Friday while standing.
The Hadīth clarifies the Prophet's guidance in delivering the Friday sermon..

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Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah reported: He entered the mosque while ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn ’Umm al-Hakam was delivering a Khutbah (sermon) while sitting, so he said: Look at this deceitful person; he is delivering a sermon while sitting, whereas Allah Almighty says: {When they see some merchandise or amusement, they rush towards it and leave you standing.} [Surat al-Jumu‘ah: 11].

Commentary : Enjoining good and forbidding evil are the characteristics of the Islamic nation and among its best merits and causes of its superiority over other nations. The most entitled among people to this, and the first ones addressed with this in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, are the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Abu ‘Ubaydah ‘Āmir ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd narrates that Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah (may Allah be pleased with him) entered the mosque, referring to the mosque of Kūfah, a city in Iraq, to offer the Friday prayer. He found ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn ’Umm al-Hakam - nephew of Mu‘āwiyah ibn Abi Sufyān ibn Harb whom Mu‘āwiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) assigned as the ruler of Kūfah in 58 AH, then after a year or more, he was dismissed - preaching to people while sitting on the pulpit, not standing as known in the Friday sermon. Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) condemned this saying: "Look at this deceitful person," because he was angry at the one who had violated the Prophet's Sunnah, "he is preaching while sitting," not doing what the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did and not following his example, although the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) adopted this practice persistently. Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, you have an excellent example in the Messenger of Allah.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 21] Allah Almighty also says: {Whatever the Messenger gives you, accept it.} [Surat al-Hashr: 7] Moreover, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Pray as you saw me pray." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri] Hence, his example should be followed when it comes to prayer and the delivery of the Friday sermon.
Then, he supported his words with a verse from Allah's Book, in which Allah Almighty says: {When they see some merchandise or amusement, they rush towards it and leave you standing.} [Surat al-Jumu‘ah: 11] Here, Allah mentioned that His Prophet was standing while delivering the Friday sermon.
The Hadīth draws the preacher's attention to standing while delivering the Khutbah.
It also calls the scholars' attention to enjoining good and forbidding evil.
The Hadīth sheds light on how the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to intensely get angry with whoever violated the Sunnah, even if it was someone who must be obeyed and respected from among the rulers, for no obedience is due to a creature when it comes to disobeying the Creator..

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‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah reported that they heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Either some people stop abandoning the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and then they will be among the heedless.".

Commentary : The Friday prayer is of great significance in Islam. Allah Almighty made it obligatory for non-traveling men to go out for it when the Muezzin makes the Adhān, calling for it, and He urged them to attend this prayer and warned against neglecting it. An example is this Hadīth in which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Either some people stop abandoning the Friday prayers," i.e., they abandon and fail to perform it out of negligence and laziness, without an excuse. If they do not comply and attend the Friday prayer, Allah will seal their hearts, by putting a seal and cover over them, and deny them His grace and bounty and place in them ignorance, roughness, and hardness. "and then they will be among the heedless" away from doing the deeds that benefit them and leaving what harms them. Thus, they will be among those overtaken by heedlessness, as they forgot Allah, and so He forgot them. This serves as a strong deterrent against the abandonment and neglect of the Friday prayer..

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Jābir ibn Samurah reported: I used to perform the prayers with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and his prayer was moderate in length and his sermon was moderate in length..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to enjoin the facilitation of worship and not going into hardship in performing it, and he would set an example of this through his own practice, so that every Muslim would imitate him.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) says that he would persistently perform the obligatory prayers - the five prayers and the Friday prayer - with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and his prayer was moderate in length, suitable for the young and old and not hard for anyone. He would do that to avoid making the prayer too long for people.
As for the Muslim-narrated Hadīth in which ‘Ammār ibn Yāsir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The lengthiness of a man’s prayer and the shortness of his sermon are a sign of his proper understanding; so, make the prayer long and the sermon short." The intended meaning here is that prayer should be long compared to the sermon, not so long in a way that proves hard for the worshipers.
In the Hadīth: We are urged not to prolong the sermon and the five prayers..

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Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh reported: When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) delivered a sermon, his eyes would turn red, his voice would become louder, and his anger would become more intense, as if he were warning of an army, saying: "They will attack you in the morning, or they will attack you in the evening." And he would say: "I and the Hour have been sent like these two," holding his index and middle fingers. Then, he would say: "To proceed: Indeed, the best speech is the Book of Allah; the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad; the evilest matters are those that are newly invented; and every innovation is misguidance." He would then say: "I am nearer to every believer than himself. So, whoever leaves behind some wealth, it is for his family, and whoever leaves behind a debt or dependent children, then they are both my responsibility." [In a version]: In the Prophet's sermon on Friday, he would praise Allah, laud Him, and then he would subsequently speak, as his voice went loud; then, he narrated the same Hadīth..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was an eloquent preacher, and he would say what moves people, admonishes them, gives them glad tidings, and warns them. He would also use the tools of rhetorical effects, such as raising and lowering the voice and using the movement of the hand and the body, as well as other things in which preachers should follow his example.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) informs about what the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to do in the Friday sermon. He says that when he delivered a sermon to the people and reminded them of the promise and warning, and the commands and prohibitions, "his eyes would turn red," i.e., their redness would become greater than usual. "his voice would become louder, and his anger would become more intense," which means that he would interact with the topic of the sermon; hence, this would happen to him. By intense anger, he meant to describe his condition as a person in anger, and this was probably because some of them were found to disobey his commands and prohibitions, and some were neglectful of their duties. This is how a preacher's condition should be - consistent with the topic he speaks about. He should not enjoin something while his outward appearance denotes the opposite. "as if he were warning of an army," alluding to the loudness of his voice (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) among them. The warner of an army is a person who watches the enemy and informs the people about their condition so that they can get prepared. So, the Prophet's admonition was given in this manner, due to his care about the people and his desire to warn them of the Hereafter and their lack of preparedness for it. Thus, it was as if he was warning them of the emergence of an attacking army that would come to them in the morning or in the evening.
One of the statements the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to make in his sermons: "I have been sent and the Hour is like these two," joining his two fingers: the forefinger and the middle finger, i.e., the period between the Prophet's time and the coming of the Day of Judgment is short like the distance between the forefinger and the middle finger. He is the last Prophet before the Hour. So, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is one of the signs of the imminence of the Hour. After his mission, the time remaining for the coming of the Hour is less than the time that passed.
At the start of the sermon, he used to say: "To proceed;" is a phrase to separate between parts of speech when the speaker wants to shift from one topic to another. The meaning: I say after the previous testimony of faith and praise of Allah Almighty. "Indeed, the best speech is the Book of Allah;" there is no speech except that the speech of Allah is better than that. The speech of Allah means the noble Qur'an. "the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad;" guidance is the way of life and manner. There is no way and path except that the path of the Prophet is better than that. So, his path, way of life, and manner - including Tawhīd, rulings, and acts of worship - should be followed. "the most evil matters," i.e., the ugliest religious matters, not the worldly ones. "are those that are newly invented," i.e., inventions and innovations that have no basis in the Shariah that attests to their validity and permissibility. These are called Bida‘ (innovations). "and every innovation is misguidance," i.e., and every invention in the religion in a way not done by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions is misguidance and deviation and departure from the Prophet's path; it is not part of the guidance and the right course he came with.
In one of the Prophet's statements in his sermons, he said: "I am nearer to every believer than himself," i.e., I am the most entitled among people to him regarding all matters of worldly life and the Hereafter. As Allah Almighty says: {The Prophet has a greater claim over the believers than their own selves.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 6] He is the most compassionate of all people towards them. Their souls call them to ruin, while he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) calls them to salvation.
He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that if any Muslim dies and leaves behind some wealth, his inheritors and relatives - i.e., his inheriting relatives - are more entitled to this wealth, which they take as an inheritance; and if anyone leaves behind a debt or dependents - children, wife, and those who cannot provide for themselves - the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has a greater claim to him, repaying his debt and supporting those children and women he left behind. This stems from the Prophet's good character, his support of the Muslims, and his keenness that they should not be neglected.
And in a version: "In the Prophet's sermon on Friday, he would praise Allah and laud Him," i.e., he would begin it with praise and laudation. Part of what was reported from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in Khutbat al-Hājah (the sermon of need) which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) taught his Companions is to say: "Praise be to Allah. We praise Him and seek His help. Whoever Allah guides, none can lead astray, and whoever Allah leads astray, none can guide. I testify that there is no god but Allah, alone, with no partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger." This praise and laudation is valid to say at the start of every sermon.
In the Hadīth: We are urged to follow the Prophet's guidance in the sermon.
And in it: A preacher should interact with the topic while addressing the sermon to influence the people.
And in it: Beginning the sermon with praise and lauding Allah.

Book of Hadith