Narrated `Abdullah ibn `Umar(may Allah be pleased with him):I heard the Prophetﷺsaying. "Evil omen is in three things: The horse, the woman and the house."
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Commentary : Allah predestined everything fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and earths. There is nothing that occurs within His creation in this vast cosmos except that He knows it before it takes place. Everything is subject to His will and predestination and being optimistic because of good omens or pessimistic because of bad omens does not change the fate that Allah has predestined. Indeed, all that which Allah has predestined is good, and feeling pessimistic because of a bad omen does not change anything or harms anyone but the person himself.

In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ explains the three things(namely horses, women, and houses) that people most consider as evil omens and presume are the cause ofthe harm and bad events they experience. People often take it as a bad omen if their horses fail to participate in times of fighting, if their women are sharp-tongued, barren, or difficult to please, and if their houses are small, far from the mosque, or close to a bad neighbour. Often, people take them as bad omens because they last more than anything else.

Without doubt, horses, wives, and homes are significant to the wellbeing, happiness, and stability of people. Once a person has a wife who is loyal and obedient, a house that is spacious and suitable for his family, and a strong and comfortable horse – or other medium of transport like a car – he will feel happy, stable, and secure in his life. However, if the wife is not righteous, the house is unsuitable, and the car is uncomfortable, a person will feel distressed, anxious, unhappy, and unstable physically and psychologically. It is said that the meaning of the hadeeth is that when a person considers them bad omens, anticipated unpleasant, harmful, or undesirable events will befall the person. As for whoever relies upon Allah and does not take them as bad omens, they will not be bad omens for them. This is corroborated by the hadeeth recorded by Ibn Hibbaan, who related that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Abad omen befalls whoever considers it a bad omen,” e.g., a person who believes in a bad omen even though he knows that the Prophet ﷺ forbid this is sinful.

This hadeeth does not confirm bad omens, or that horses, women, and houses are bad omens in and of themselves. It only intends to say that they could be either blessed or harmful, and their impact affects whoever is linked to them. If they are blessed, they will enjoy the blessings. and if they are harmful, they will experience their harm, just like when Allah, Exalted is He, grants parents a blessed child or an evil child, where the former brings forth goodness and the latter brings forth evil to them. All this takes place by the will of Allah, because it is Him who created all causes and linked cause to effect..

2861

Muslim narrated on the authority of Aboo ‘Aqeel that Aboo Al-Mutawakkil Al-Naajee said:I called on Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah Al-Ansaaree(may Allah be pleased with him) and said to him, "Relate to me what you have heard from Allah's Messenger ﷺ. He (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I accompanied him on one of the journeys." (Aboo ‘Aqeel said, "I do not know whether that journey was for the purpose of Jihaad or ‘Umrah") "On our way back to Al-Madeenah," Jaabir(may Allah be pleased with him) continued, "the Prophetﷺ said, 'Whoever wants to return earlier to his family, should hurry up.' We set off and I was on a black-red tainted camel having no defect, and people were behind me. While I was in that state the camel stopped suddenly (because of exhaustion). On that the Prophetﷺ said to me, 'O Jaabir, hold on!' Then he ﷺ hit it once with his lash and it started moving on a fast pace. He ﷺ then said, 'Will you sell the camel?' I replied in the affirmative when we reached Al-Madeenah, and the Prophetﷺwent to the Mosque along with his Companions (may Allah be pleased with him). I, too, went to him after tying the camel to the tiled floor at the Mosque’s gate. Then I said to him, 'This is your camel.' He ﷺ came out and started examining the camel and saying, 'The camel is ours.' Afterward, the Prophetﷺsent some Awaaq (pl. Ooqiyyah, i.e., a weight measurement that varies based on the weighable goods as well as countries) of gold saying, 'Give it to Jaabir.' Then he ﷺ asked, 'Have you taken the full price (of the camel)?' I replied in the affirmative. He ﷺ said, 'Both the price and the camel are for you.’”.

Commentary : Allah has endowed the Prophet ﷺ with the best and the most perfect moral character. He ﷺ used to check on his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) constantly, guide them to what rectified them, financially support them, and help them out regarding their worldly and religious affairs.
In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah(may Allah be pleased with him) related that he accompanied the Prophet ﷺ once on a journey. Aboo ‘Aqeel Basheer ibn ‘Uqbah Al-Dawraqee Al-Basree, one of the narrators, doubted as to whether that journey was for the purpose of Jihaad or performing ‘Umrah. However, he affirmed in another version recorded in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree that it was the Battle of Tabook, and it was also said that it was the Battle of Dhaat Al-Riqaa‘.
Jaabir(may Allah be pleased with him) added: "On our way back to Al-Madeenah, the Prophet ﷺ said, 'Whoever wants to return earlier to his family, should hurry up.' We set off, and I was on a black-red tainted camel having no defect,” the Arabic word used in the hadeeth is Shiyah, meaning a mark, gloss of a distinct color, or blemish, “and people were behind me.” This means that his camel was ahead of other camels. Jaabir(may Allah be pleased with him) added: “While I was in that state the camel stopped suddenly (because of exhaustion). On that the Prophet ﷺ said to me, 'O Jaabir, hold on,' meaning hold onto the back of the camel. Then he ﷺ hit it once with his lash and it started moving at a fast pace.” The Prophet ﷺ then asked Jaabir(may Allah be pleased with him) to sell him the camel. It is narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim that the Prophet ﷺ concluded the sale transaction during the journey and lent it to Jaabir(may Allah be pleased with him) to ride it until they reached Al-Madeenah, and Jaabir(may Allah be pleased with him) approved. When they reached Al-Madeenah, and the Prophet ﷺ went to the mosque along with his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and Jaabir(may Allah be pleased with him) went to him after tying the camel to the tiled floor at the mosque’s gate. He (may Allah be pleased with him)said to the Prophet ﷺ, “This is your camel.” He ﷺ came out, went around the camel, and started examining it, saying, 'The camel is ours.' This statement could be indicative of concluding the sale transaction. Afterward, the Prophet ﷺ sent some Awaaq (pl. Ooqiyyah, i.e., a weight measurement that varies based on the weighable goods as well as countries) of gold saying, 'Give it to Jaabir.' The Ooqiyyah equaled about 40 Dirhams of silver. He ﷺ gave him the price and the camel, as a gift. This underlines the generosity and munificence of the Prophet ﷺ with his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
The hadeeth highlights a sign of the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ.
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable to hurt an animal, urging it to do what benefits it..

2872

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Prophetﷺhad a she camel called Al-‘Adbaa’ which could not be excelled in a race. (Humayd, a sub-narrator said, "Or could hardly be excelled.") Once a Bedouin came riding a camel below six years of age which surpasses it (i.e., Al-‘Adbaa’) in the race. Muslims disliked it so much that the Prophetﷺ noticed their distress. He ﷺ then said, “It is a divine norm that Allah, Exalted is He, brings down whatever rises high in this worldly life.”
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Commentary :
One of the divine norms decreed by Allah, Exalted is He, for His creation is the regular alteration of rise and fall and the constant state of change; nothing remains unchanged in the worldly life.
In this hadeeth, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophetﷺhad a she-camel called Al-‘Adbaa,’ a nickname that literally denotes having a cleft ear. The Prophet’s camel did not have a cleft ear, despite the nickname, and it was amazingly fast and could not be excelled and outrun in a race. Once a Bedouin came riding a camel below six years of age which outran Al-‘Adbaa.’The Muslims disliked it so much that the Prophetﷺ noticed their distress and knew that they found it hard to accept such defeat. He ﷺ then said, “It is a divine norm that Allah, Exalted is He, brings down whatever rises high in this worldly life.” The Prophet ﷺ clarified to them that the divine norm decreed by Allah, Exalted is He, in governing the affairs of the worldly life entails that whenever something should rise high and becomes exalted in this worldly life, Allah, Exalted is He, lowers it and brings it down.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is permissible to organize camel races.
The hadeeth warns againstflaunting and boasting about worldly gains..

2875

‘Aa’ishah(may Allah be pleased with her), the Mother of the Believers, said:I requested the Prophetﷺ topermit me to participate in Jihaad, but he ﷺ said, "Your Jihaad is the performance of Hajj."
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Commentary :
Jihaad is the pinnacle of Islam, and it requires certain (physical and emotional) capabilities, and Allah, Exalted is He, has conveniently relieved some people of such an obligation, including women.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers, ‘Aa’ishah(may Allah be pleased with her) stated that she asked the Prophetﷺ to allow her to participate in Jihaad, given its great virtues and refined rank in the sight of Allah, Exalted is He, but he ﷺ said, "Your Jihaad is the performance of Hajj.” This means that women are required to strive and exert physical effort in Hajj rather than on the battlefield, for they are (inherently delicate and) unable to handle face-to-face confrontations with the enemy on the battlefield, being beyond their innate capacity. The same goes of ‘Umrah, i.e., women are rather required to strive and exert physical effort in ‘Umrah rather than on the battlefield. The version recorded by Ibn Maajah reads: “What is incumbent on them (i.e., women) is the Jihaad that does not involve fighting, namely, Hajj and ‘Umrah.”
Women earn rewards for performing Hajj and ‘Umrah that are equal to those earned by men for partaking in Jihaad. It was also said that the obligatory Jihaad, meaning, striving in Allah’s Cause, for women is performing Hajj and ‘Umrah, just like it is obligatory on every male believer to partake in Jihaad in Allah’s Cause, if he is able.
Hajj is described as Jihaad, either in terms of Taghleeb (i.e., an expression in the Arabic language that consists of just one word but indicates two different things at the same time; one of the words takes preference or is treated as being used in the majority, for a given reason) or verbatim. Jihaad in this context is striving against one’s own (evil-enjoining) ‘self,’ because Hajj involves enduring physical and financial hardship. It is noteworthy that it is allowable for women to accompany the Muslim army, to help the male fighters out by conducting the tasks that are compatible with their physical capabilities, such as the provision of medical treatment for the injured, serving water to the fighters, and the like.
The hadeeth highlights the great virtues and rewards of Hajj, designated for both those who perform it as an obligatory act of worship and those who perform it as a voluntary one.
It is also inferred therefrom that the grace of Allah, Exalted is He, conferred upon people is great and enormous; He does not close some doors except to open others. .

2876

‘Aa’ishah(may Allah be pleased with her), the Mother of the Believers, narrated that the Prophetﷺ was asked by his wives about the Jihaad and he ﷺ replied, "The best Jihaad (for you, i.e., women) is (the performance of) Hajj."
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Commentary :
Jihaad is the pinnacle of Islam, and it requires certain (physical and emotional) capabilities, and Allah, Exalted is He, has conveniently relieved some people, including women, of such an obligation.
In this hadeeth, ‘Aa’ishah(may Allah be pleased with her), the Mother of the Believers, narrated that the wives of the Prophetﷺ asked him to partake in Jihaad (like men did), and he ﷺ replied, "The best Jihaad (for you, i.e., women) is (the performance of) Hajj,” to highlight its great virtues and refined status in the sight of Allah, Exalted is He. The Prophet’s wives (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen to ask him about participating in Jihaad, on the battlefield, like men, but the Prophet ﷺ informed them of an act of worship that substituted Jihaad for them and befitted their (delicate) nature; a Jihaad that involves no fighting, i.e., Hajj, and the same goes for ‘Umrah. The version recorded by Ibn Maajah reads: “What is incumbent on them (i.e., women) is the Jihaad that does not involve fighting, namely, Hajj and ‘Umrah.”
Women earn rewards for performing Hajj and ‘Umrah that are equal to those earned by men for partaking in Jihaad. It was also said that the obligatory Jihaad for them is performing Hajj and ‘Umrah, just like it is obligatory on every believer to partake in Jihaad in Allah’s Cause, if he is able.
Hajj is described as Jihaad, either in terms of Taghleeb (i.e., an expression in the Arabic language that consists of just one word but indicates two different things at the same time; one of the words takes preference or is treated as being used in the majority, for a given reason) or verbatim. Jihaad in this context is striving against one’s own (evil-enjoining) ‘self,’ because Hajj involves enduring physical and financial hardship. It is noteworthy that it is allowable for women to accompany the Muslim army, to help the male fighters out by conducting the tasks that are compatible with their physical capabilities (and delicate nature), such as the provision of medical treatment of the injured, serving water to the fighters, and the like.
The hadeeth urges Muslims to keenly perform the best and most rewardable good deeds.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is not incumbent on women to partake in Jihaad, and that Hajj is the best form of Jihaad (striving) befitting them because it does not involve fighting; it is more becoming for women to veil themselves and refrain from direct interactions with men (for no need), and this is possible for them when performing Hajj.
The hadeeth underlines the great virtues and rewards of Hajj designated for those who perform it as an obligatory act of worship or a voluntary one..

2881

Tha‘labah ibn Abee Maalik narrated that ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab(may Allah be pleased with him) distributed some garments amongst the women of Al-Madeenah. One good garment remained, and one of those present with him said, "O Commander of the Believers! Give this (remaining) garment to your wife, the (grand) daughter of Allah's Messenger ﷺ.” They meant Umm Kulthoom, the daughter of ‘Alee (may Allah be pleased with them). ‘Umar said, Umm Saleet has more right (to have it)." Umm Saleet(may Allah be pleased with her) was a woman from the Ansaar who had given the pledge of allegiance to Allah's Messenger ﷺ. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "She (i.e., Umm Saleet) used to carry the water skins for us on the day of Uhud."
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Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, favored the senior Muslims (i.e., those who embraced Islam first) and singled them out for the highest ranks in Paradise, because He established the religion of Islam at their hands. Al-Faarooq‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab(may Allah be pleased with him)knew this well and acknowledged the rights of these senior Muslims. He (may Allah be pleased with him) gave them priority over others in terms of grants (i.e., allowances assigned by rulers to the eligible recipients, such as employees and soldiers).
In this report, Tha‘labah ibn Abee Maalik Al-Qurdhee – scholars held different opinions as to whether or not he was a Companion - narrated that ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab(may Allah be pleased with him) distributed some garments amongst the women of Al-Madeenah. The Arabic word used in the hadeeth is Muroot, pl. of Mirt, which meant woolen or silken clothes. One of these garments remained, and one of those present with him said, "O Commander of the Believers! Give this (remaining) garment to your wife, the (grand) daughter of Allah's Messenger ﷺ.” They meant Umm Kulthoom, the daughter of ‘Alee ibn AbeeTaalib(may Allah be pleased with them). They attributed her directly to the Prophet ﷺ because she was the daughter of Faatimah(may Allah be pleased with him), who had four children with ‘Alee: Al-Hasan, Al-Husayn, Zaynab, and Umm Kulthoom(may Allah be pleased with them), and ‘Umar married Umm Kulthoom(may Allah be pleased with them). He (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Umm Saleet has more right (to it)." Umm Saleet(may Allah be pleased with her) was a woman from the Ansaar who had given the Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance) to Allah's Messenger ﷺ. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) further explained, "She (i.e., Umm Saleet) carried the water skins for us on the day of Uhud,” in 3 A.H.
The hadeeth underlines that ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) acknowledged and honored the rights of the Ansaar and gave them precedence over his own wife and granddaughter of the Prophet ﷺ.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable for women to accompany the Muslim army, to help the male fighters out by carrying out the tasks that are compatible with their physical capabilities (and delicate nature), such as the provision of medical treatment for the injured, serving water to the fighters, and the like..

2882

Al-Rubayyi‘ bintMu‘auwwidh(may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:We were in the company of the Prophetﷺ providing the wounded with water and treating them and bringing the killed to Al-Madeenah (from the battlefield) .
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Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, did not deem it obligatory on women to partake in fighting in His cause, for it is an exclusive obligation on men. However, women are still allowed to partake in Jihaad along with men and perform the tasks that befit their innately delicate nature.
In this hadeeth, Al-Rubayyi‘ bintMu‘auwwidh ibn ‘Afraa’ (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that she and some other women used to accompany the Prophetﷺ in battles, providing the wounded with water, medical treatment, and carrying the killed back to Al-Madeenah (from the battlefield)to be buried therein..

2887

Narrated AbooHurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him):The Prophet ﷺ said, "Let the slave of Dinar and Dirham, and the slave of Khameesah (i.e., wealth and luxurious clothes) perish as he is pleased if these (worldly) things are given to him, and if not, he is displeased. Let such a person perish and relapse, and if he is pierced with a thorn, let him not find anyone to take it out for him. Paradise is for him who holds the reins of his horse to strive in Allah's Cause (i.e., partake in Jihaad), with his hair unkempt and feet covered with dust: if he is appointed in the vanguard, he is perfectly satisfied with his post of guarding, and if he is appointed in the rearward, he accepts his post with satisfaction; (he is so simple and unambiguous that) if he asks for permission he is not permitted, and if he intercedes, his intercession is not accepted.".

Commentary :
The most wretched of all people is the one who takes his own (sinful) urges and desires as an object of worship, exerting all his effort to gratify and chase after such desires. By doing so, he fails to realize the very purpose for which he was created in the first place, namely, the worship of Allah, Exalted is He, and instead pursues instant gratification of desires by doing what does not please his Lord. This involves trading his (lasting) Hereafter for the (fleeting) worldly life. On the contrary, the most blessed and happiest of all people is the one who devotes his life to Allah, Exalted is He, seeking His pleasure, and aspiring only to His reward, designated for His righteous servants.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ warned all the believers against becoming enslaved to their own urges and desires, and urged them to devote their lives to Allah, Exalted is He, and strive in His cause. He ﷺ said, "Let the slave of Dinar and Dirham, and the slave of Khameesah (i.e., wealth and luxurious clothes) perish.” The Khameesah is a kind of fine garment or black rectangle striped sheet. The reason for such a supplication against this person is explained in the following statement: he ﷺ said: ‘as he is pleased if these (worldly) things are given to him, and if not, he is displeased.” Such a person is wretched because whenever he is given worldly gains, wealth, and the gratification of his desires, he feels satisfied and pleased with Allah, Exalted is He, and whenever he is deprived of any of them, he becomes dissatisfied and displeased with Him! The Prophet ﷺ repeated his supplication against such a person to be wretched in order todiscourageMuslims from such an unbecoming quality. He ﷺ added: “Let such a person perish and relapse,” meaning to incur loss and ruin on himself, “and if he is pierced with a thorn, let him not find anyone to take it out for him,” meaning to try removing it by means of tweezers or the like, and it would not come out on its own as well. This means that whenever the least amount of harm should befall him, he would not find any help or relief.
Afterward, the Prophet ﷺ praised the inconspicuous devout servant of Allah, Exalted is He, (i.e., who may seem insignificant and inferior in the eyes of people) who partakes in Jihaad, caring less about (chasing after) worldly gains and luxuries or seeking them. He ﷺ said: “Paradise is for him,” the Arabic word used in the hadeeth is Toobaa, a name that refers to a tree in Paradise. He ﷺ is supplicating that such a person should be admitted to Paradise, because Toobaa is the most famous and best tree therein, “who holds the reins of his horse to strive in Allah's Cause (i.e., partake in Jihaad), with his hair unkempt and feet covered with dust: if he is appointed in the vanguard, he is perfectly satisfied with his post of guarding,” at the front, “and if he is appointed in the rearward, he accepts his post with satisfaction;’ aspiring to the reward of Allah, Exalted is He. Such person may be unnoticed by people; they do not hold him in such high regard, nor does he seek to win their praise and admiration; “(he is so simple and unambiguous that) if he asks for permission he is not permitted, and if he intercedes, his intercession is not accepted,” because he seems insignificant and inferior in people’s eyes. However, he is held in high regard by Allah, Exalted is He, and his rewards are preserved for him (in the Hereafter).
The hadeeth warns against greed for worldly pleasures and following one’s (sinful) urges and desires.
It also discourages Muslims from seeking after positions of authority (prominence), and fame, and highlights the virtues of being modestly inconspicuous and humble in people’s eyes..

2888

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
I was in the company of Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah(may Allah be pleased with him) on a journey and he used to serve me though he was older than I. Jareer said, "I saw the Ansaar doing a thing(i.e., showing great reverence to the Prophetﷺ)for which I have vowed that whenever I meet any of them, I will serve him."
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Commentary :
The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) dearly loved the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and they also loved whoever loved him ﷺ, eagerly served him and fulfilled his needs, and gave us the greatest examples in this regard.
In this report, Jareer ibn ‘Abdullaah(may Allah be pleased with him) underlined his deep love for the Prophet ﷺ, and of the Ansaar for their service of him. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that he once accompanied Jareer ibn ‘Abdullaah Al-Bajalee(may Allah be pleased with him) on a journey and he hastened to serve him, though he was older than Anas (may Allah be pleased with them). Jareer(may Allah be pleased with him) explained that he did so as an expression of gratitude and appreciation for what the Ansaar did, and their laudable service of the Prophet ﷺ, and out of great reverence to them. Therefore, he (may Allah be pleased with him) vowed that whenever he should meet any of the Ansaar, he would devotedly serve him, as a reward for their devotion in serving the Prophet ﷺ.
The hadeeth underlines the virtues of the Ansaar, the merits of Jareer(may Allah be pleased with him), and his humbleness towards and deep love for the Prophet ﷺ..

2890

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
We were with the Prophet ﷺ (on a journey) and the only shade one could have, was the shade made by one's own garment. Those who fasted did not do any work and those who did not fast served the camels, brought water on them, and treated the sick (and wounded). So, the Prophet ﷺ said, "Today, those who were not fasting took (all) the reward.".

Commentary :
Helping and serving the weak and needy are among the best and most rewarding acts of righteousness.
In this hadeeth, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that they were once with the Prophet ﷺ (on a journey in one of the battles) and it was an extremely sweltering day; the only shade one could have been the shade made by one's own garment. Some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were fasting on that day. Those who fasted did not do any work or acts of service, because of fasting, enduring the nuisance of travel, and preparing for Jihaad, and those who did not fast served the camels, brought water to them, served (the fasting ones), and treated the sick (and wounded). They carried out all the exhausting tasks of bringing water, preparing food, and fetching fodder. So, the Prophet ﷺ said, "Today, those who were not fasting took (all) the reward,” meaning that they earned the most perfect and greatest share of reward because the benefit of fasting is limited to the fasting person only, while the benefit of those who did not fast extended to others as well. However, this does not suggest that their rewards were diminished in the slightest, but rather means that those who did not fast earned greater rewards for performing services for others, as well as their own personal responsibilities.
The hadeeth highlights the austere living conditions and (financial) hardship endured by the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them)..

2892

Sahl ibn Sa‘d Al-Saa‘dee(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "To observe Ribaat (i.e., guarding at frontier outposts in support of Allah's Cause), guarding Muslims from the disbelievers in Allah's Cause, for one day is better than the worldly life and everything therein, and a place in Paradise as small as that occupied by the whip of one of you is better than the worldly life and everything therein; and a morning's or an evening's journey which a person travels in Allah's Cause is better than the worldly life and everything therein."
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Commentary :
Jihaad in Allah’s Cause is the pinnacle of Islam and a source of glory for all Muslims. It is a great means to enter Paradise, and manytextual evidence encourage and urge Muslims to partake in Jihaad, and underline the great reward designated for this worshipful act.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ highlighted that observing Ribaat (i.e., guarding at frontier outposts in support of Allah's Cause), and guarding Muslims against the disbelievers’ potential assaults for one day, is better than the worldly life and everything therein, and this reward is earned because Ribaat involves putting one’s life on the line to defend Islam and protect Muslims.
He ﷺ also underlined that a small place in Paradise, being the (eternal) bliss earned by observing Ribaat, that is as small as a place occupied by the whip of a Mujaahid (i.e., Muslim fighter partaking in Jihaad) is better than the whole worldly life and everything therein, because the worldly life is fleeting and Paradise and the bliss therein, no matter how insignificant it may seem in that simile, are lasting and enduring. Verily, what is lasting is better than what is fleeting, in all respects.
The Prophet ﷺ also said that a morning's or an evening's journey which a person travels once in Allah's Cause is better than the worldly life and everything therein.
The hadeeth highlights the great virtues of Ribaat in Allah’s Cause.
It underlines the insignificance of the (short-lived) worldly life compared to the (everlasting) Hereafter..

2893

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The Prophetﷺ said to AbooTalhah(may Allah be pleased with him), "Choose one of your boy servants to serve me in my expedition to Khaybar." So, AbooTalhah(may Allah be pleased with him) took me letting me ride behind him while I was a boy nearing the age of puberty. I used to serve Allah's Messenger ﷺwhen he stopped to rest. I heard him saying repeatedly, "O Allah! I seek refuge with You from distress and sorrow, from helplessness and laziness, from miserliness and cowardice, from being heavily in debt and from being overcome by men." Then we reached Khaybar; and when Allah enabled him to conquer the Fort (of Khaybar), the beauty of SafiyyahbintHuyayy ibn Akhtab(may Allah be pleased with her)was described to him. Her husband had been killed while she was a bride. So, Allah's Messenger ﷺ chose her for himself (i.e., to be his wife) and took her along with him till we reached a place called Sadd Al-Sahbaa’ where her menses were over and he took her for his wife. Hays (i.e., a kind of desert;stoneless dates that are mixed with dried yoghurt or flour or butter) was served on a small leather sheet. Then Allah's Messenger ﷺ told me to call those who were around me. So, that was the marriage banquet of Allah's Messenger ﷺ and Safiyyah. We left for Al-Madeenah afterward. I saw Allah's Messenger ﷺ folding a cloak round the hump of the camel so as to make a wide space for Safiyyah(may Allah be pleased with her) (to sit on behind him) He ﷺ sat beside his camel letting his knees for Safiyyah(may Allah be pleased with her) to put her feet on so as to mount the camel. Then, we proceeded till we approached Al-Madeenah; he ﷺ looked at Uhud (mountain) and said, "This is a mountain which loves us and is loved by us." Then, he ﷺ looked at Al-Madeenah and said, "O Allah! I declare the area between its (i.e., Al-Madeenah's) two mountains a sanctuary as Prophet Ibraaheem (Abraham) declared Makkah to be a sanctuary. O Allah! Bless them (i.e., the people of Al-Madeenah) in their Mudd and Saa‘ (i.e., dry measures used for agricultural produce by the Arabs in the Prophet's lifetime).”
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Commentary :
The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) enjoyed the company of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in residence and travel and were his best helpers. They strove to fulfill his needs and carry out his commands and were also the best conveyers of his Sunnah and guidance to the following Muslim generations.
In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophetﷺ asked AbooTalhah, the stepfather of Anas (may Allah be pleased with them) to choose one of his servants to serve him in his expedition to Khaybar in 7 A.H. Khaybar was a village inhabited by Jews, about 153 km away from Al-Madeenah on the way to Shaam.
Therefore, AbooTalhah took Anas (may Allah be pleased with them), letting him ride behind him. Anas (may Allah be pleased with them) was then a young boy near the age of puberty. It is known that Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) served the Prophet ﷺ for years before Khaybar. This statement may be interpreted as to mean seeking AbooTalhah’s permission to take Anas on that journey, not to serve the Prophet ﷺ in general. During that journey, he (may Allah be pleased with him) used to serve the Prophet ﷺ whenever he stopped to rest in any place and at any time, and would hear him saying repeatedly, "O Allah! I seek refuge with You from distress and sorrow, from helplessness and laziness, from miserliness and cowardice, from being heavily in debt and from being overcome by men." In this supplication, the Prophet ﷺ combined all the main evil qualities that hinder good-doing. He ﷺ sought refuge with Allah, Exalted is He, from distress and sorrow; the first denotes anxiety about potential harm, whereas the second meansdeep distress regarding an unpleasant event that had happened. It was also said that the Arabic words used in the hadeeth (Hamm and Hazan) denote the same meaning. Moreover, he ﷺ sought refuge from helplessness and laziness; the first implies inability, while the second means neglecting a duty that one was able to do. He ﷺ also sought refuge frommiserliness and cowardice, because these two bad qualities involve falling short in carrying out one’s duties and obligations, honoring the rights of Allah, Exalted is He, and eliminating evils (as enjoined), and also because the moderate courage and inner strength empowers a person to perfect his worshipful acts and support the wronged and oppressed, and avoiding miserliness enables him to fulfill the due financial rights, generously spend in charity, embody refined morals, and refrain from coveting what he does not have. Afterward, he ﷺ sought refuge frombeing heavily in debt, and inability to repay it, especially when the creditors claim it, and from being overcome by men, meaning the oppression or dominion of unjust men or creditors over him.
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) related that when they reached Khaybar; and when Allah, Exalted is He, enabled the Prophet ﷺ to conquer the Fort (of Khaybar), the beauty of SafiyyahbintHuyayy ibn Akhtab(may Allah be pleased with her)was described to him. Her husband, Kinaanah ibn Al-Rabee‘ ibn Abee Al-Huqayq, had been killed while she was still a bride. So, Allah's Messenger ﷺ chose her for himself (i.e., to be his wife), because she was their king’s daughter. He ﷺ took her along with him till they reached a place called Sadd Al-Sahbaa,’ a place at the lower part of Khaybar, southeast of Thamad, which is a village near Khaybar to the north. Safiyyah(may Allah be pleased with her) attained ritual purity after her menses ended and the Prophet ﷺ consummated his marriage to her. Hays (i.e., a kind of dessert;stoneless dates that are mixed with dried yoghurt or flour or butter) was served on a small leather sheet. Allah's Messenger ﷺ told Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) to inform the Muslims of the marriage banquet thrown by Allah's Messenger ﷺ when he married Safiyyah(may Allah be pleased with her), and this banquet did not include bread nor meat.
Afterward, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) related that they left for Al-Madeenah, and he saw Allah's Messenger ﷺ folding a cloak round the hump of the camel so as to make a wide space for Safiyyah(may Allah be pleased with her) (to sit on it behind him). He ﷺ sat beside his camel placing his knees for Safiyyah(may Allah be pleased with her) to put her feet on so as to mount the camel easily. Then, they proceeded till they approached Al-Madeenah; the Prophet ﷺ looked at Uhud (mountain), which is located in the north-west of Al-Madeenah, 4 km from the Prophet’s Mosque. The famous Battle of Uhud took place in 3 A.H. near it. The Prophet ﷺ said, "This is a mountain which loves us and is loved by us." This means that he ﷺ loved those residing near and around it. The Prophet’s love for the mountain entails it being blessed and encourages Muslims to seek residence near it.
The Prophet ﷺ looked at Al-Madeenah and said, "O Allah! I declare the area between its (i.e., Al-Madeenah's) two mountains a sanctuary as Prophet Ibraaheem (Abraham) declared Makkah to be a sanctuary. O Allah! Bless them (i.e., the people of Al-Madeenah) in their Mudd and Saa‘ (i.e., dry measures used for agricultural produce by the Arabs in the Prophet's lifetime).”
The Arabic word Laabah means Harrah, which is a stony tract or lava field, whose stones are black, as if they were burned with fire. Al-Madeenah is located between two Harrahs; the Harrah of Waaqim to the east, where the Mosque of Qubaa’ and Waaqim fortress are situated, and the Harrah of Wabarah to the west, where Masjid Al-Qiblatayn is located. A Saudi official committee has defined the limits of Al-Madeenah sanctuary, and the Madeenah Municipality has installed architectural signs in the shape of the arcs of the Prophet's Mosque to mark the limits of the sanctuary.
The sacredness of Al-Madeenahis manifested in the fact that whatever lies within its boundaries is declared inviolable; no animal may be hunted, and no tree therein may be cut down. As for trees and plants that people grow and plant, it is permissible for people to cut down and eat from them. No religious innovation may be introduced therein, and none may do what contravenes the religion of Allah or commit an act of injustice or a crime warranting the implementation of the Hudood (i.e., the plural of Hadd, the corporal punishment determined by the Islamic law). This meaning is further explained by another version of the hadeeth recorded in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim reading, “Al-Madeenah is a sanctuary from such-and-such place to such-and-such place. Its trees may not be cut, and no innovation may be introduced therein, and whoever introduces an innovation (in religion) therein, will incur the curse of Allah, the angels, and all people.”
The Prophet ﷺ further added: “O Allah! I declare the area between its (i.e., Al-Madeenah's) two mountains a sanctuary as Prophet Ibraaheem (Abraham) declared Makkah to be a sanctuary.” Prophet Ibraaheem declared Makkah a sanctuary, meaning inviolable, by the permission of Allah, Exalted is He, and similarly Al-Madeenah was declared an inviolable sanctuary, except with regard to the prescribed punishment for hunting in Makkah.
Lastly, the Prophet ﷺ supplicated Allah, Exalted is He, to bless the food measured by the Mudd and Saa‘ (i.e., dry measures used for agricultural produce by the Arabs in the Prophet's lifetime). The Saa‘ equaled four Mudds, and the Mudd equaled two handfuls scooped up by someone with hands of average size. On account ofthis supplication, Allah, Exalted is He, blessed the Saa‘ of Al-Madeenah so much that it would be sufficient for a greater number of people than what it would normally suffice elsewhere, and this was tangible and noticeable to the people of Al-Madeenah.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable to hire an orphan to perform certain tasks.
It is also inferred that it is permissible to bring young boys on military expeditions.
It is also deduced that a Muslim may throw a wedding banquet, and it may include food other than bread and meat.
The hadeeth highlights the virtues of Uhud mountain.
It also underlines the virtues of Al-Madeenah and the Prophet’s ﷺsupplications for it.
It is inferred therefrom that a younger person may serve an elder one because of his refined status, being held in high esteem by his people, his knowledge, righteousness, and the like.
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2896

Mus‘ab ibn Sa‘d(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
Once Sa‘d (ibn AbeeWaqqaas)(may Allah be pleased with him) thought that he was superior to those who were below him in rank. On that the Prophetﷺsaid, "You gain no victory or livelihood except through (the blessings and invocations of) the poor amongst you."
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Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ was a merciful teacher, a kind educator and giver of discipline, and a forbearing mentor. Whenever he ﷺ saw one of his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them)making a mistake, he ﷺ would kindly correct him and guide him to what is good and right.
In this hadeeth, Mus‘ab ibn Sa‘d(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Sa‘d ibn AbeeWaqqaas(may Allah be pleased with them) thought that he was superior to those who were below him in rank, thanks to his physical strength and courage on the battlefield. On that, the Prophetﷺ reminded him of the virtues of those who were below him in rank, andthat Allah, Exalted is He, grants Muslims victory and livelihood because of the blessings and invocations of the poor amongst them. Allah, Exalted is He, bestows upon Muslims triumph over their enemies by means of the strength and courage of the strong Muslim fighters, and He also confers upon him victory because of the supplication of the weak Muslims and their submission to Him. This is because their worship and invocationsare characterized by sincerity and devotion, for their hearts are not attached to any of the (alluring) worldly pleasures and luxuries, and their consciences are clear. Such people seek after realizing one main purpose; the Hereafter (and they are not caught up in the worldly life). The Prophet ﷺ wanted to urge Sa‘d(may Allah be pleased with him) to embody humbleness and warn the believers against arrogance and conceit, lest these things should find their way to their hearts, driving them to look down on any of their fellow Muslims (who may be lower than them in rank).
It is deduced from the hadeeth that Muslims should value the supplication of their weak fellow Muslims to be blessed with victory over their enemies, because victory is a blessing conferred by Allah, Exalted is He, upon Muslims. They must not rely merely on their military strength, heroism, and courage. Rather, they should duly rely on Allah, Exalted is He, and invoke and implore Him abundantly..

2897

AbooSa‘Eid Al-Khudree(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The Prophetﷺsaid, "A time will come when groups of people will go for Jihaad and it will be asked, 'Is there anyone amongst you who has enjoyed the company of the Prophet ﷺ?' The answer will be, 'Yes.' Then they will be given victory (by Allah) (because of him). Then a time will come when it will be asked. 'Is there anyone amongst you who has enjoyed the company of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ?' It will be said, 'Yes,' and they will be given victory (by Allah). Then a time will come when it will be said, 'Is there anyone amongst you who has enjoyed the company of the companions of the Prophet’s Companions ﷺ?' It will be said, 'Yes,' and they will be given victory (by Allah).”
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Commentary :
The best people, next to the Prophets of Allah, were the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), then those who followed them, and those who followed them, and so on, as stated by the Prophet ﷺ.
This hadeeth highlights the virtues of the first three Muslim generations and that the victory of Islam was bestowed by Allah, Exalted is He, upon Muslims at their hands. In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ stated that a time shall come when groups of people will partake in Jihaad in Allah’s Cause and it will be asked, 'Is there anyone amongst you who has enjoyed the company of the Prophet ﷺ?' The answer will be, 'Yes.' Then they will be blessed with victory by Allah, Exalted is He, because of them, given the merits and refined status of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). He ﷺ added, “Then a time will come when it will be asked. 'Is there anyone amongst you who has enjoyed the company of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ?' It will be said, 'Yes,' and they will be given victory (by Allah).” They will also be blessed with victory at their hands because of their merits and refined status, being the companions of the Prophet’s Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), who embodied their morals and followed their example. Afterward, the Prophet ﷺ added: “Then a time will come when it will be said, 'Is there anyone amongst you who has enjoyed the company of the companions of the Prophet’s Companions?' It will be said, 'Yes,' and they will be given victory (by Allah).” They will also be blessed with victory at their hands because of their merits and refined status, being the students of the companions of the Prophet’s Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) who embodied their morals and followed their example and learned the knowledge they conveyed to them.
The hadeeth highlights the signs of prophethood.
It underlines the virtues of the first three Muslim generations..

2898

Sahl ibn Sa‘d Al-Saa‘idee(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
Allah's Messenger ﷺand the pagans faced each other and started fighting. When Allah's Messenger ﷺ returned to his camp and the pagans returned to theirs, somebody talked about a man amongst the Companions of Allah's Messenger ﷺwho would chase and kill with his sword any pagan going alone. He said, "Nobody did his job (i.e., fighting) so properly today as that man." Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "Indeed, he is amongst the people of Hellfire." A man said, "I shall accompany him (to watch what he does warranting it)." Thus, he accompanied him, and wherever he stood, he would stand with him, and wherever he ran, he would run with him (i.e., he did not let him leave his sight). Afterward, the (brave) man got wounded seriously and he decided to bring about his death quickly. He planted the blade of the sword in the ground directing its sharp end towards his chest between his two breasts. Then he leaned on the sword and killed himself! The other man came to Allah's Messenger ﷺand said, "I testify that you are truly Allah's Messenger ﷺ!” The Prophetﷺasked, "What has happened?" He replied, "(It is about) the man whom you had described as one of the people of the Hellfire. People were greatly surprised at what you said, and I said to myself, 'I will find out his reality for you.' So, I came out seeking him. He got severely wounded and hastened to die by slanting the blade of his sword in the ground directing its sharp end towards his chest between his two breasts. Then he eased on his sword and killed himself!” When Allah's Messenger ﷺsaid, "A man may seem to people as if he were practicing the deeds of the people of Paradise while in fact he is from the people of the Hellfire, another may seem to people as if he were practicing the deeds of the people of Hellfire, while in fact he is from the people of Paradise."
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Commentary :
Having a good final stage of life is a blessing bestowed by Allah, Exalted is He, upon His servant, and it is afruit of the inward Jihaad (i.e., striving against one’s own ‘self’) and the outwardone (i.e., striving against the enemies of Islam and Muslims), in obedience to Allah, Exalted is He. On the other hand, having a foul final stage of life is indicative of loss and ruin (in the Hereafter), and it is the result of one’s negligence in obeying Allah, Exalted is He, and submissively devoting the heart and body parts to Him.
In this hadeeth, Sahl ibn Sa‘d Al-Saa‘idee(may Allah be pleased with him)narrated that Allah's Messenger ﷺand the pagans faced each other and started fighting. When Allah's Messenger ﷺ returned to his camp and when the pagans returned to theirs after the first day of fighting, somebody talked about a man amongst the Companions of Allah's Messenger ﷺ, named Quzmaan,who was brave on the battlefield, and would chase and kill with his sword any pagan going alone, thanks to his (notable) physical strength and courage. People talked about the exceptional bravery of such a strong warrior, and said, "Nobody did his job (i.e., fighting) so properly today as that man." Thereupon, the Prophet ﷺ informed them, based on the divine revelation, that he belonged to the People of Hellfire!
A man (astonishedly) said (to himself), "I shall accompany him (to watch what he does)," to find out the reason that warranted labelling him as one of the People of Hellfire, since his outward deeds seemed to be good, indicating his righteousness, yet the Prophet ﷺ (decisively) stated that he would be thrown into Hellfire!
The man related that he accompanied the man in question and did not let him leave his sight; wherever he stood, his companion would stand with him, and wherever he ran, his companion would run with him, to monitor all his acts closely. He said: “Then the (brave) man got wounded seriously and he decided to bring about his death quickly. He planted the sword in the ground, directing its sharp end towards his chest between his two breasts. Then he leaned on the sword and killed himself!” The Companion who had accompanied the man in question, went to Allah's Messenger ﷺand said, "I testify that you are truly Allah's Messenger ﷺ!” The Prophetﷺasked, "What has happened?" He replied, "(It is about) the man whom you had described as one of the people of Hellfire. People were greatly surprised at what you said, and I said to myself, 'I will find out his reality for you.' So, I went out seeking him.” He (may Allah be pleased with him) related to them what had happened.
Some objections were made regarding the fact that this man was decisively declared as one of the people of Hellfire only because he disobediently killed himself, yet a believer is not declared as a disbeliever on account of a sin as per the . In response, it was said that the Prophet ﷺ knew, through the divine revelation, that this man was not a true believer, and was rather a hypocrite, or that he would apostatize and declare lawful killing himself.
Thereupon, the Prophet ﷺ remarked, "A man may seem to people as if he were practicing the deeds of the people of Paradise while in fact he is from the people of Hellfire;” he may perform worshipful acts and righteous deeds, and people would assume that he would (certainly) enter Paradise, yet his inner character is contrary to what he is displaying to people, and he would be committing Riyaa’ (i.e., showing off and seeking to impress others to win their praise) or the like. Similarly, “… another may seem to people as if he were practicing the deeds of the people of Hellfire, while in fact he is from the people of Paradise;” one may commit sins and fall short in performing worshipful acts and the like, and people may assume that he would most likely be thrown into Hellfire, whereas he would (have a good inward character qualifying him to) be from the people of Paradise in the sight of Allah, Exalted is He. Therefore, He may guide him to perform virtuous deeds and acts of obedience, repent, and have a good final stage of life (to earn Paradise).
The hadeeth warns against being deceived by one’s (outward appearance and) good deeds, or relying merely on his good deeds, since his situation may change in a blink of an eye.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that Allah, Exalted is He, examines people’s hearts and their inward characters, and holds them accountable for them accordingly..

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..

864

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..

865

‘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..

866

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..

867

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

| Hadiths

Narrated `Abdullah ibn `Umar(may Allah be pleased with him):I heard the Prophetﷺsaying. "Evil omen is in three things: The horse, the woman and the house."
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‘Aa’ishah(may Allah be pleased with her), the Mother of the Believers, said:I requested the Prophetﷺ topermit me to participate in Jihaad, but he ﷺ said, "Your Jihaad is the performance of Hajj."
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‘Aa’ishah(may Allah be pleased with her), the Mother of the Believers, narrated that the Prophetﷺ was asked by his wives about the Jihaad and he ﷺ replied, "The best Jihaad (for you, i.e., women) is (the performance of) Hajj."
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Al-Rubayyi‘ bintMu‘auwwidh(may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:We were in the company of the Prophetﷺ providing the wounded with water and treating them and bringing the killed to Al-Madeenah (from the battlefield) .
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‘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..

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..

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)..

‘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.".

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..

Book of Hadith

| Hadiths

Narrated `Abdullah ibn `Umar(may Allah be pleased with him):I heard the Prophetﷺsaying. "Evil omen is in three things: The horse, the woman and the house." .

‘Aa’ishah(may Allah be pleased with her), the Mother of the Believers, said:I requested the Prophetﷺ topermit me to participate in Jihaad, but he ﷺ said, "Your Jihaad is the performance of Hajj." .

‘Aa’ishah(may Allah be pleased with her), the Mother of the Believers, narrated that the Prophetﷺ was asked by his wives about the Jihaad and he ﷺ replied, "The best Jihaad (for you, i.e., women) is (the performance of) Hajj." .

Al-Rubayyi‘ bintMu‘auwwidh(may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:We were in the company of the Prophetﷺ providing the wounded with water and treating them and bringing the killed to Al-Madeenah (from the battlefield) . .

‘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..

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..

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)..

‘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.".

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..

Narrated `Abdullah ibn `Umar(may Allah be pleased with him):I heard the Prophetﷺsaying. "Evil omen is in three things: The horse, the woman and the house."
.

‘Aa’ishah(may Allah be pleased with her), the Mother of the Believers, said:I requested the Prophetﷺ topermit me to participate in Jihaad, but he ﷺ said, "Your Jihaad is the performance of Hajj."
.

‘Aa’ishah(may Allah be pleased with her), the Mother of the Believers, narrated that the Prophetﷺ was asked by his wives about the Jihaad and he ﷺ replied, "The best Jihaad (for you, i.e., women) is (the performance of) Hajj."
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Al-Rubayyi‘ bintMu‘auwwidh(may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:We were in the company of the Prophetﷺ providing the wounded with water and treating them and bringing the killed to Al-Madeenah (from the battlefield) .
.