| 2 Hadiths


Hadith
677
It was narrated that Abu Qilabah said: Malik ibn al-Huwayrith came to us – in this mosque of ours – and said: I lead you in prayer, and it is not my intention to pray; I pray as I saw the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) pray. I said to Abi Qilabah: How did he pray? He said: Like this shaykh of ours – referring to an old man who used to pause briefly when he lifted his head from prostration, before getting up after the first rak‘ah..

Commentary : The Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) were the keenest of people to teach the Muslims about their religion, and prayer was their primary concern and first priority.
In this hadith, the Tabi‘i Abu Qilabah ‘Abdullah ibn Zayd al-Jarmi al-Basri narrates that the Sahabi Malik ibn al-Huwayrith (may Allah be pleased with him) came to them in their mosques to teach them in a practical manner how the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed. It was said that the mosque referred to was the mosque of Basra, where he was living. Malik ibn al-Huwayrith (may Allah be pleased with them) said to them: I lead you in prayer, and it is not my intention to pray. In other words, I do not intend to offer any specific prayer when I lead you in prayer now. It was said that what was meant was: my intention is not to lead you in prayer; rather my intention is to teach you by leading you in prayer as I saw the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) pray, so that I may teach you how he prayed through actions, and not through words. The intention of Malik ibn al-Huwayrith (may Allah be pleased with him) was to teach them how the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed, and when he taught them that, it was not the time for any particular prayer, and he was not intending to lead them in prayer; rather it was a voluntary prayer that he did with the intention of teaching, and it was not an obligatory or Sunnah prayer.
This report was narrated elsewhere by al-Bukhari, in which Abu Qilabah described in detail how Malik ibn al-Huwayrith prayed. He said: He stood, standing fully upright, then he bowed and bowed fully. Then he raised his head, stood up and paused; what is meant is that he stood up straight, then he bowed and made his back level, so that if water were poured on his back, it would remain there, as it says in the hadith of Wabisah ibn Ma‘bad (may Allah be pleased with him), as narrated by Ibn Majah. Then he raised his head from bowing and stood up straight, returning to his previous posture as it had been before he bowed, then he paused briefly between bowing and prostrating.
Then Abu Qilabah told Ayyub al-Sakhtiyani – who is the one who narrated the hadith from him – when he asked him how he prayed, that the prayer of Malik ibn al-Huwayrith (may Allah be pleased with him) resembled, in the way it looked, the prayer as it was done by their shaykh. Here he was referring to the Sahabi Abu Burayd ‘Amr ibn Salimah al-Jarmi, who was a very old man. He used to sit briefly during the prayer, after doing the prostration of the first rak‘ah, before standing up for the second rak‘ah. This brief sitting is what is called jalsat al-istirahah (sitting of rest). Malik ibn al-Huwayrith (may Allah be pleased with him) clearly stated in another hadith that is narrated by al-Bukhari that he saw the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) praying and sitting briefly to rest in the odd-numbered rak‘ahs of his prayer, when he finished the first rak‘ah before getting up for the second, and when he finished the third before getting up for the fourth. It was said that this brief sitting is the completion of the rak‘ah. It was also said that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did it for a reason, either because of old age or sickness. It was also said that it is part of the prayer, but it should be very brief.
This hadith indicates that it is encouraged to teach and learn.
It also indicates that it is prescribed to sit briefly to rest in the prayer (jalsat al-istirahah)..

680
It was narrated that al-Zuhri said: Anas ibn Malik al-Ansari – who followed the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), served him and accompanied him – told me that Abu Bakr was leading them in prayer during the final sickness of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) until, on the Monday, whilst they were standing in rows and praying, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) lifted the curtain of the apartment, watching us as he was standing, as if his face were a page of a Mus-haf. Then he smiled cheerfully, and we almost exited the prayer out of joy at seeing the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). Abu Bakr stepped backwards, towards the row, thinking that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was coming out to lead the prayer. But the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) gestured to us, [saying]: complete your prayer, and he let the curtain drop. And he died on that day..

Commentary : The Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) were the people who had the greatest knowledge of the high status and position of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). They loved him greatly and always observed proper etiquette with him; they were keen to be with him, show respect to him and be close to him (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). They never felt such grief and sorrow as they did when he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) passed away.
In this hadith, Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) led them in prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque during the final illness of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) until, on the Monday, when they were standing in rows and praying Fajr, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) lifted the curtain of the apartment, watching them as he was standing, as if his face were the page of a Mus-haf, because of the softness and clarity of his skin, and his radiant beauty. Then he smiled cheerfully, rejoicing at their gathering to pray and their unity and adherence to the teachings of Islam.
Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: we almost exited the prayer out of joy at seeing him (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) stepped backwards to join the row, moving back from the place of the imam to join the congregation, thinking that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was coming out to pray. But the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) gestured to us, telling us to stay where we were and complete the prayer, and he let the curtain drop. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) died on that day. That happened in Rabi‘ al-Awwal 10 AH, when he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was sixty-three years old. That was the greatest calamity that ever befell the Muslims, when their noble Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) died.
This hadith highlights the Prophet’s concern for the prayer and the Muslims, even on the last day of his life in this world.
It identifies the date on which the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) died, and confirms that it was a Monday.
It indicates that Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was the best of the people after the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and that he was the most qualified of them to succeed him as caliph..

683
It was narrated that ‘A’ishah said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) instructed Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer during his sickness, so he would lead them in prayer. ‘Urwah said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) felt a little better, so he came out, and saw Abu Bakr leading the people in prayer. When Abu Bakr saw him, he moved backwards, but [the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)] gestured to him [saying]: Stay where you are. Then the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) sat down in line with Abu Bakr, next to him, so Abu Bakr was following the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and the people were following the prayer of Abu Bakr..

Commentary : Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) was the most deserving of the Muslims to be the successor (caliph) of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) after his death, regardless of the objections of the objectors and the extreme innovators. There is a great deal of evidence and proof from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) concerning this matter, including this hadith. When the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) fell sick, he instructed Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) to succeed him in leaving the Muslims in prayer. This was an indication from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) as to who was most deserving of succeeding him and most deserving and capable of continuing his mission. When the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) felt a little better and felt able to come out to the prayer, he came out, at a time when Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was leading the people in prayer. When Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) saw him, he wanted to move back for the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), but the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) gestured to him, telling him to stay where he was. Then he sat in line with him, not ahead of him and not behind him. So the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was the imam, and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was following the prayer of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him); he was standing and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was sitting, and the people were also standing, following the prayer of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), because they could not see the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) or hear his voice, as he was so weak. Thus they were following Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), who was following the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in his prayer. And it was said that in fact the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was an imam for Abu Bakr, and Abu Bakr was an imam for the people standing behind him, so that prayer had two imams. Based on that, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed as an imam whilst sitting, when the people behind him were standing.
There is a command to follow the imam, so if he prays standing, the one praying behind him should also pray standing, and if he prays sitting, then the one who is praying behind him should also pray sitting, as it says in the hadith narrated by al-Bukhari: “If he prays sitting, then pray sitting, all of you.” The response to this is that Abu Bakr had started to lead them in prayer standing, and he did not start out sitting. So if the imam needs to sit down during his prayer, when he started the prayer standing, the one who is praying behind him should complete his prayer standing. Thus we may reconcile the two hadiths. And it was said that the command to sit behind an imam who is sitting was abrogated by the Prophet’s last action, as narrated in this hadith, because it was the last thing that he did, shortly before he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) died.
This hadith provides evidence that Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was the best of the people after the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and the most deserving of being his successor (caliph).
It indicates that it is permissible to pray sitting, for one who does not have the strength to stand.
It highlights the proper etiquette with one who is older or of higher status, as Abu Bakr wanted to move back because of the status of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).
It indicates that it is permissible for the imam to stop leading the prayer and start following someone else, without interrupting his prayer.
It also encourages the Muslim to regularly attend the prayers in congregation..

687
It was narrated that ‘Ubaydullah ibn ‘Abdillah ibn ‘Utbah said: I went to ‘A’ishah and said: Tell me about the sickness of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). She said: Yes; the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) became very ill, and he said: “Have the people prayed?” We said: No, they are waiting for you. He said: “Put some water in the tub for me.” So we did that, and he washed himself, then he wanted to get up, but he fainted. Then he came round and said: “Have the people prayed?” We said: No, they are waiting for you, O Messenger of Allah. He said: “Put some water in the tub for me.” So he sat and washed himself, then he wanted to get up, but he fainted. Then he came round and said: “Have the people prayed?” We said: No, they are waiting for you, O Messenger of Allah. He said: “Put some water in the tub for me.” Then he sat and washed himself, then he wanted to get up, but he fainted. Then he came round and said: “Have the people prayed?” We said: No, they are waiting for you, O Messenger of Allah. The people were still in the mosque, waiting for the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) to pray ‘Isha’. Then the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) sent word to Abu Bakr, telling him to lead the people in prayer. The messenger came [to Abu Bakr] and said: The Messenger of Allah is instructing you to lead the people in prayer. Abu Bakr – who was a tenderhearted man – said: O ‘Umar, lead the people in prayer. But ‘Umar said to him: You are more deserving of that. So Abu Bakr led the people in prayer during those days. Then later on, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) felt a little better, so he came out, supported by two men – one of whom was al-‘Abbas – to pray Zuhr, when Abu Bakr was leading the people in prayer. When Abu Bakr saw the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), he wanted to step back, but the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) gestured to him not to step back. He said: “Seat me next to him,” so they seated him next to Abu Bakr. Then Abu Bakr started to follow the prayer of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and the people followed the prayer of Abu Bakr, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed sitting. ‘Ubaydullah said: Then I went to ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas and said to him: Shall I tell you what ‘A’ishah told me about the sickness of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)? He said: Yes, tell me. So I told him what she had told me, and he did not object to anything, except that he said: Did she tell you the name of the man who was with al-‘Abbas? I said: No. He said: He was ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him)..

Commentary : The greatest calamity that befell the Muslims was the death of their Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). There were several lessons in the final sickness of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), as well as rulings and advice to the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with him).
In this hadith, ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) spoke of the condition of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) during his final sickness. That was when the Tabi‘i ‘Ubaydullah ibn ‘Abdillah ibn ‘Utbah asked her to tell him about it. So she told him that when the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) grew very sick, he asked: Have the people prayed, or are they still waiting? It was said to him: They are waiting for you. So he said to them: Put some water in the tub for me. The word translated here as tub refers to a vessel in which water was put for washing clothes. Then the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) washed himself, but when he wanted to get up, he fainted. Fainting is possible in the case of the Prophets (peace be upon them all), because it is a kind of sickness, and it is akin to sleep. This is in contrast to insanity, which is loss of reasoning, and is not possible in the case of the Prophets. That happened to him (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) three times; he asked whether the people had prayed, then he washed himself, then he fainted when he wanted to stand up. When he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) came round the fourth time, he asked: Have the people prayed? He was told that they had gathered and were waiting in the mosque; the people were sitting and waiting for the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) to pray ‘Isha’. So the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) sent a messenger to Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), instructing him to lead the people in prayer. The fact that he sent word to Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) instructing him to take his place and lead the prayer highlighted the virtue and seniority of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and was an indication that he was most deserving of being his successor (caliph), because leading the prayer is the job of the caliph. When the messenger sent by the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) came to Abu Bakr and told him that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was instructing him to lead the people in prayer, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) – who was a man who wept a great deal and felt very emotional when praying – said to ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): Lead the people in prayer. It was as if Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) understood that the Prophet’s instruction to him regarding the prayer only meant that someone should lead the prayer, not that it was he himself who was specifically being instructed to lead the prayer. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) did not know what had happened between the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and his wives with regard to the issue of ‘Umar leading the prayer instead of Abu Bakr, and that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had insisted that Abu Bakr should lead the prayer, as is mentioned in another report. Otherwise, he would not have tried to delegate the leading of prayer to ‘Umar. But ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: You are more deserving of that, because of the instructions of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). So Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) went and led the people in prayer for several days when the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was sick.
Moreover, on one of the days of his sickness, when Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was leading the people in Zuhr prayer, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) felt a little better, and felt able to go out, so he came out, supported by two men, because he was so weak. Those two men were ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib and al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with them). When Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) saw him, meaning that he realized that he was there when he heard his voice – and it may be that he turned around when he heard the voice of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) – he wanted to move back, so that he could pray in the row behind him as one of the congregation. But the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) gestured to him that he should not move back, and he should stay where he was, and he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) sat down next to him. Then Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) followed the prayer of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and the people followed the prayer of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), because they could not see the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) or hear his voice. Thus the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) led the prayer as an imam whilst he was sitting, and the people behind him were standing.
There is a command to follow the imam, so if he prays standing, the one praying behind him should also pray standing, and if he prays sitting, then the one who is praying behind him should also pray sitting, as it says in the hadith narrated by al-Bukhari: “If he prays sitting, then pray sitting, all of you.” The response to this is that Abu Bakr had started to lead them in prayer standing, and he did not start out sitting. So if the imam needs to sit down during his prayer, when he started the prayer standing, the one who is praying behind him should complete his prayer standing. Thus we may reconcile the two hadiths. And it was said that the command to sit behind an imam who is sitting was abrogated by the Prophet’s last action, as narrated in this hadith, because it was the last thing that he did, shortly before he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) died.
‘Ubaydullah ibn ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Utbah said: Then I went to ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and said to him: Shall I tell you what ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) told me about the sickness of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)? He said: Yes, tell me. So I told him what she had told me, and he approved of everything that ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) had said, and did not object to anything of it, except that he asked: Did ‘A’ishah tell you the name of the second man on whom the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was leaning, besides al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him)? ‘Ubaydullah said to him: No, she did not tell me his name. Then ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas said that he was ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him).
This hadith indicates that it is permissible to follow the more difficult option, even if there is a concession [allowing an easier option].
It indicates that it is prescribed to pray sitting, for one who does not have the strength to stand.
It highlights the importance of praying in congregation.
It indicates that Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was the best of the people after the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and was the most deserving of them to be his successor (caliph); it also indicates that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab was next to him in virtue.
It indicates that it is permissible for one who is of lower status to discuss instructions given to him by one who is higher in status.
It highlights the etiquette that is to be observed when dealing with one who is older or of higher status, as Abu Bakr wanted to move back, because of the status of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)..

688
It was narrated from ‘A’ishah, the Mother of the Believers, that she said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed in his house when he was unwell. He prayed sitting, and some people prayed behind him standing, but he gestured to them that they should sit down. When he finished his prayer, he said: “The imam has only been appointed to be followed, so when he bows then bow; when he rises from bowing, then rise; and if he prays sitting, then pray sitting.”.

Commentary : There are rules and regulations for offering the prayer in congregation, that the Muslim should pay attention to and learn. One of the most important of these rules is that the worshipper should follow the imam in all his movements, for the imam has been appointed to be followed.
In this hadith, the Mother of the Believers ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed in his house when he was unwell and recovering after falling from his horse, as is mentioned in the report of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that is narrated in al-Sahihayn. At that time he was not able to stand, because of his injury, so he prayed sitting, and some people prayed behind him standing, so whilst he was praying, he gestured to them to sit down. When the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) finished his prayer, he said: The imam is only appointed to be followed in his actions in the prayer, therefore it is not appropriate to differ from him by doing actions before him or being too slow in following him. “so when he bows then bow; when he rises from bowing, then rise” – that is, follow him when he bows and rises from bowing, and in all the actions of the prayer. The word fa, translated here as “then”, indicates that these actions should be done straight after the imam does them, and that the one who is praying behind the imam should not do them before the imam; rather every action that the one who is praying behind the imam does should be done straight after the imam does it. And if the imam prays sitting, then those praying behind him should pray sitting like him. This indicates that following the imam also includes praying sitting, if the imam prays sitting. However, in the hadith of ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) about the final sickness of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), the authenticity of which is agreed upon, it says that he led the prayer sitting whilst the people were standing behind him: “…Then Abu Bakr started to follow the prayer of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and the people followed the prayer of Abu Bakr, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed sitting…”
The response to this apparent discrepancy is that Abu Bakr had started to lead them in prayer standing, and he did not start out sitting. So if the imam needs to sit down during his prayer, when he started the prayer standing, the one who is praying behind him should complete his prayer standing. Thus we may reconcile the two hadiths. And it was said that the command to sit behind an imam who is sitting was abrogated by the Prophet’s last action, as narrated in this hadith, because it was the last thing that he did, shortly before he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) died.
In this hadith, there is the command to follow the imam and not to do any of the actions of the prayer before him, or to differ from him.
It indicates that it is permissible to make gestures and small movements, if necessary, whilst praying..

690
It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn Yazid said: al-Bara’ – who is not a liar – told me: When the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him),” none of us would bend down [to prostrate] until the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had prostrated fully, then we would prostrate after him..

Commentary : There are rules and regulations for offering the prayer in congregation, that the Muslim should pay attention to and learn. One of the most important of these rules is that the worshipper should follow the imam in all his movements, for the imam has been appointed to be followed. The Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) applied this rule when praying behind the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), as is described in this hadith, in which al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) raised his head from bowing and said, “Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him),” and those who were praying behind him stood up straight after bowing, they would remain standing, and none of them would bend down to prostrate or hasten to prostrate until the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had prostrated fully, by placing his forehead on the ground. Then they would prostrate after him (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)..

691
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Doesn’t one of you fear – or wouldn’t one of you fear – if he raises his head before the imam, that Allah will turn his head into the head of a donkey? Or Allah will turn his form into that of a donkey.”.

Commentary : There are rules and regulations for offering the prayer in congregation, that the Muslim should pay attention to and learn. One of the most important of these rules is that the worshipper should follow the imam in all his movements, for the imam has been appointed to be followed.
In this hadith, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) warns those who pray behind a imam against failing to follow their imam and raising their heads before the imam raises his head after bowing. He warns the one who does that that Allah may turn his head into the head of a donkey, as he said: “Doesn’t one of you fear, if he raises his head before the imam, that Allah will turn his head into the head of a donkey? Or He will turn his form into that of a donkey.”
This is a question by way of rebuke and denunciation. It may be that the meaning is metaphorical, because the donkey is renowned for stupidity, and it is as if the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was describing the one who does that as being stupid and lacking in understanding, or warning him that he could be deprived of the blessing of understanding, so he will be like a donkey. Or it may be that the meaning is as it appears to be, so Allah would turn his head into the head of a donkey in a real sense. This is a stern warning and deterrent against failing to follow the imam and doing the actions of prayer before him.
This prayer indicates that it is prohibited to do the actions of prayer before the imam.
It also contains a stern warning to the one who raises his head before the imam does..

692
It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar said: When the first Muhajirin came to al-‘Usbah – a place in Quba’ – before the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) came, they were led in prayer by Salim, the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfah, who had more knowledge of Qur’an than any of them..

Commentary : In Islam, no one has superiority over anyone else except in terms of taqwa (righteousness, fear of Allah). Allah (may He be exalted) says: {Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you} [al-Hujurat 49:13]. It is only on the basis of righteous deeds that one Muslim may be superior to another. The one who is most entitled to lead the prayer is the one who has most knowledge of the Book of Allah (may He be exalted), as the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) told us. If a man has more knowledge of the Qur’an than anyone else present, then he has more right to lead the prayer. So no attention should be paid to race, colour, lineage or position. This hadith is the most eloquent proof of that. In it, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when the Muhajirin (migrants) from Makkah came to al-‘Usbah, which is a place near Quba’ in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, approximately two miles south of it, before the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) migrated to Madinah, they were led in prayer by Salim, the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfah, who had the most knowledge of Qur’an, meaning that he had memorized more Qur’an. Salim had been a slave belonging to a woman, then he was manumitted, but that did not prevent him from leading the companions of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in prayer, because he had memorized more of the Qur’an than the others. Salim had memorized Qur’an from the Sahabah whom the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had sent to the believers in Madinah to teach them the Qur’an and Islam, such as Mus‘ab ibn ‘Umayr and others. Salim was not in fact a freed slave of Abu Hudhayfah ibn ‘Utbah ibn Rabi‘ah – who was one of the earliest to become Muslim; rather Salim was the freed slave of a woman of the Ansar who had manumitted him. But he was called the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfah because he stayed close to him after he was manumitted, and Abu Hudhayfah had adopted him. Then when the prohibition of adoption was revealed, he continued to be known as the freed slave (mawla) of Abu Hudhayfah.
This hadith indicates that the one who has memorized the most Qur’an is the most deserving of leading the prayer..

693
It was narrated from Anas ibn Malik, that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Hear and obey, even if the one appointed over you is an Ethiopian with a head like a raisin.”.

Commentary : The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) instructed the Muslim to obey those in authority with regard to what is right and proper, but not what is wrong and sinful, because of the serious bad consequences that result from rebelling against them. And he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) warned against disobedience to those in authority and creating division among the Muslims.
This hadith highlights that, as the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Hear and obey, even if the one appointed over you is an Ethiopian with a head like a raisin.” In other words, if the one who is appointed to rule you is a man from Ethiopia with a head like a raisin – referring to his black colour and curly hair; this serves to point out that people would usually scorn such a person. What is meant is that the believer must obey the ruler and whomever the ruler appoints in charge of his affairs (as a governor, for example), no matter what his race or colour, so long as he rules the people in accordance with the Book of Allah (may He be exalted), as is mentioned in another report in Sahih Muslim. That is, so long as he adheres to Islam and calls the people to the Book of Allah (may He be exalted), regardless of what he looks like, his level of religious commitment and his manners, provided that he does not enjoin the people to disobey Allah (may He be glorified and exalted)..

694
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “They lead you in prayer, so if they do the right thing, you will be granted the reward, and if they make mistakes, you will be granted the reward and the burden of sin will be on them.”.

Commentary : As the Muslims are instructed to obey their leaders and emulate them in that which does not involve disobedience to Allah (may He be exalted), whether they are leaders in the sense of rulers and caliphs, or leaders who lead the people in prayer, it is only fair that the Muslim should not be held to account for mistakes made by his leader, because he has done what is required of him, which is following the leader, provided that no sin is involved. Hence in this hadith, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) explains to those who pray behind an imam that when the leaders pray, they either pray properly, or they make mistakes in the prayer. If they do the prayer properly, as it should be done, then both they and those who pray behind them will have the reward for that, but if they make mistakes and do not lead the prayer properly, as it should be done, then the burden of sin for the mistakes they have made is theirs alone, and those who pray behind them will have the reward of the prayer.
What is meant by mistake here is not that which is done deliberately, for if a person makes a mistake that is beyond his control, he will not be held to account for it. Rather what is meant by mistake here is the opposite of that which is right and proper, such as introducing an innovation that was not enjoined by Allah, or deliberately going against what Allah has enjoined, on the basis of whims and desires, and so on.
This hadith indicates that it is permissible to pray behind any Muslim, whether he is a righteous man or an evildoer..

695
It was narrated from ‘Ubaydullah ibn ‘Adiy ibn Khiyar that he went to ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) – when he was under siege – and said: You are the ruler [and caliph], and we see what calamity has befallen you. The one who is leading us in prayer is a leader of fitnah (turmoil), and we feel uncomfortable [praying behind him]. ‘Uthman said: Prayer is the best deed that people do, so if the people do good, then do good with them, and if they do wrong, then stay away from their wrongdoing..

Commentary : This hadith testifies to the fair-mindedness of the wronged leader, the Commander of the Faithful, Dhu’l-Nurayn ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan (may Allah be pleased with him). When he was besieged in his house at the time of fitnah (turmoil) and the leaders of the fitnah besieged him and wanted to depose him wrongfully, on the basis of fabrications and lies, the Tabi‘i ‘Ubaydullah ibn ‘Adiy ibn al-Khiyar said to him: You are the ruler and head of state, so you are the caliph and in the position of greater leadership, and he told him that the people were being led in prayer by an imam who was one of the leaders of fitnah and troubles, and wanted to depose him. It was said that this man was ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Udays al-Balawi, who is the one who brought the people of Egypt to rebel against ‘Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him); he died in 36 AH.  And it was said that Kinanah ibn Bishr, one of the leaders of the Kharijites, also led the people in prayer. When these people attacked Madinah, ‘Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) used to go out and lead the people in prayer, and he continued to do this for a month, then he went out one day and they threw stones at him, which caused him to fall from the minbar, and he was not able to lead the prayer on that day, so Abu Umamah ibn Sahl ibn Hunayf led them in prayer. Then they stopped him from doing that, so they were led in prayer sometimes by ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Udays and sometimes by Kinanah ibn Bishr, and continued to do this for ten days. They were the ones of whom it was said that they were the imams of fitnah. At this time, some of the senior Sahabah – such as Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him), ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), and others – also led the people in prayer. These noble individuals (may Allah be pleased with them) cannot be described as promoters of fitnah, for they led the prayers with the permission of ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), and they did not withdraw their allegiance and obedience to him. They continued to defend him until he died (may Allah be pleased with him and make him pleased).
When ‘Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) heard that from ‘Ubaydullah ibn ‘Adiy, he replied by stating that prayer is the best deed that these people could do. This does not mean that ‘Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) was praising the promoters and leaders of fitnah; rather the apparent meaning of ‘Uthman’s words suggests that he was granting a concession allowing the people to pray with them, as if he was saying: the fact that they are misguided people who are involved in fitnah will not harm you; if they do good, then go along with them in doing good, and if they do wrong – because they became involved in fitnah or introduced innovations – this will not harm the one who prays behind them, because he is following them in their prayers, but denouncing and rejecting what they have brought of fitnah and innovation.
It was said that what is meant by the words of ‘Ubaydullah, “The one who is leading us in prayer is a leader of fitnah (turmoil)”  is that someone other than their regular imam was leading them in prayer at the time of fitnah, not that that imam was calling them to fitnah and striving for this purpose. This is indicated by the words of ‘Uthman, “Prayer is the best deed that people do, so if the people do good, then do good with them, and if they do wrong, then stay away from their wrongdoing.” He did not speak ill of the one who was leading them in prayer, and stated that his action (prayer) was among the best of deeds, whilst warning ‘Ubaydullah not to get involved in the fitnah.
This hadith indicates that praying behind one whom you do not like to pray behind is better than stopping prayer in congregation altogether.
It also contains a warning against fitnah (turmoil) and becoming involved in it, and against everything that is denounceable, whether it be words, deeds or beliefs..

698
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I slept at Maymunah’s house, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was at her house that night. He did wudu’, then he stood and prayed, and I stood on his left. He took hold of me and put me on his right, then he prayed thirteen rak‘ahs. Then he went to sleep, until he was breathing heavily, for when he slept he would breathe heavily. Then the mu’adhdhin came to him, so he went out and prayed, and he did not do wudu’ again..

Commentary : Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) was an intelligent boy who was highly motivated with regard to both worship and seeking knowledge. Signs of brilliance appeared in him from an early age, and he was keen to be close to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and learn from him.
In this hadith, he (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that he stayed overnight in the house of his maternal aunt, the Mother of the Believers Maymunah bint al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was at her house that night, and Ibn ‘Abbas described for us what the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did that night. He tells us that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) went to sleep, then he got up and did wudu’, then he stood up and prayed qiyam al-layl (voluntary prayers at night). Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) also got up, and did the same as the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), then he stood on his left. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) took hold of him and make him stand on his right, then he prayed thirteen rak‘ahs. This is the number of rak‘ahs that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed on that night. There are other reports which speak of him praying different numbers of rak‘ahs in qiyam; it was narrated that he prayed seven, nine and eleven rak‘ahs. The differences may be understood as referring to different times and situations. Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Then the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) went to sleep, and began to breathe so heavily that the sound of it could be heard, which is something that happens to some people when they sleep, and it is not blameworthy or odd. When the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) went to sleep, he usually breathed heavily. Then Bilal came to him to tell him that it was time to pray Fajr, so he went out and prayed, and he did not do wudu’ again, because the Prophet’s eyes slept but his heart did not sleep, so his wudu’ could not be invalidated, because his heart was awake.
This hadith indicates that a young boy may visit and sleep in the houses of his relatives and female mahrams.
It highlights where the one who is praying behind an imam should stand in relation to the imam if only the two of them are praying; the one who is following the imam should stand on his right.
It indicates that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) went to sleep and did not renew his wudu’ for prayer after having slept. This is because his eyes would sleep but his heart did not sleep.
It also indicates that it is permissible to offer supererogatory prayers in congregation..

703
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “When one of you leads the people in prayer, let him make it brief, for among them are the weak, the sick and the elderly. But when one of you prays on his own, let him make it as long as he wishes.”.

Commentary : The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was the best teacher and educator for his companions and his ummah after him. He would choose for the people what would be best for them and for others, in both religious and worldly matters. He used to make things easy for the people with regard to worship, especially the prayer, so that people would not be put off and become bored or tired. One example of that is what is mentioned in this hadith, in which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) advised imams to pay attention to the situation of worshippers when praying. Hence he said to them: When one of you leads the people in prayer as an imam, let him make it brief – that is, with regard to the recitation, bowing and prostrating. The reason for instructing them to make it brief is that among the worshippers there are those who are physically weak or sick, elderly people, and others who have excuses. These people cannot endure a lengthy prayer. Then the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: But when one of you prays on his own, let him make it as long as he wishes, because he knows what he is able to do, and he is able to cut it short if he becomes too tired and the like. This is in contrast to those who are praying behind an imam, for they are detained, as it were, behind the imam until he finishes the prayer.
This hadith highlights how Islamic teachings pay attention to people’s situation and how much energy they have when doing acts of worship. It also highlights the fact that Islam is a religion of ease..

706
It was narrated that Anas ibn Malik said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to make his prayers brief yet he would do them perfectly and properly. .

Commentary : The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) found joy in prayer, and he used to do the prayer perfectly and properly, with all its essential parts and movements, whilst making it brief for the people and taking their circumstances into consideration.
In this hadith, Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) describes the prayer of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) when he led the people in prayer. He tells us that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) would offer a brief prayer, that was not long, yet at the same time it was done perfectly and properly in terms of bowing, prostrating, standing and reciting. His making the prayer brief did not detract from the perfection of the prayer by falling short in any of its essential parts. This is what is referred to in the other report, which says that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was the briefest of people in offering prayer, yet it was perfect and complete. This is what is required of the imam: he should make the prayer brief, because he must pay attention to the situation of all the people who are praying behind him. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to the imam ‘Uthman ibn Abi’l-‘As, as we see in the report narrated by Abu Dawud in his Sunan: “Follow the pace of the weakest of them”; in other words, make your prayer appropriate for the weakest of those who are praying behind you, for there may be among the worshippers those who can endure a lengthy prayer, and others who cannot endure it. Therefore what is required of the imam is to take everyone into consideration by making the prayer brief yet complete and perfect. But when a person is praying on his own, he may make the prayer as long as he wishes, because he knows himself best and what he is able to do.
This hadith urges the imam to show kindness to those who are praying behind him, and to make the prayer brief, without detracting from the perfection of the prayer..

708
It was narrated that Anas ibn Malik said: I never prayed behind any imam whose prayer was more brief or more perfect than the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). If he heard the sound of a child crying, he would make the prayer brief for fear that the child’s mother would be troubled..

Commentary : The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) found joy in prayer, and he used to do the prayer perfectly and properly, with all its essential parts and movements, whilst making it brief for the people and taking their circumstances into consideration.
In this hadith, Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) tells us that he never prayed behind any imam whose prayer was more brief or more perfect than the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), for he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) would offer a brief prayer, that was not long, yet at the same time it was done perfectly and properly in terms of bowing, prostrating, standing and reciting. His making the prayer brief did not detract from the perfection of the prayer by falling short in any of its essential parts. This was out of consideration on his part for people’s situations.
Then Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) gave an example of how the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) would cut the prayer short out of consideration for the needs of those who were praying behind him. He said: If the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) heard the sound of a child crying, he would make the prayer brief, by reciting a short surah, lest the child’s mother be distracted from her prayer, because she would be growing anxious about her child crying.
This hadith urges imams to show kindness to those who are praying behind him and to take their situations into consideration, and not cause them any undue hardship.
It also indicates that the prayer of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was the most perfect prayer, and that the worshipper should be keen to make his prayer like the Prophet’s prayer, so that he will be following his example and thus earn great reward. .

1235
Muhammad ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān reported: that a man from the people of Iraq said to him: "Ask 'Urwah ibn az-Zubayr on behalf of me about a man who proclaims Talbiyah for Hajj and when performs Tawāf around the House, may he end his Ihrām or not? If he tells you that he may not end his Ihrām, tell him that there is a man who advocates this opinion." He said: I asked him, and he said: "He who proclaims Talbiyah for Hajj may not end his Ihrām except with Hajj." I said: "There is a man who advocates this opinion." He said: "How bad his opinion is!" Then, the man came across me and asked me, and I related to him, and he said: "Say to him: There is a man who reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did that, and what about Asmā’ and Az-Zubayr who did that?" He said: I came to him and mentioned that to him, and he said: "Who is this?" I said: "I do not know." He said: "Why does he not come to me by himself and ask me?! I think he is an Iraqi." I said: "I do not know." He said: "He told a lie, for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed Hajj, and Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) informed me: that the first thing he began with when he came to Makkah was to make ablution and then perform Tawāf around the House. Then, Abu Bakr performed Hajj, and the first thing he began with was Tawāf around the House, and there was nothing else. Then, ‘Umar did the same. Then, ‘Uthmān performed Hajj, and I saw that he first began with Tawāf around the House, and there was nothing else. Then Mu‘āwiyah and ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar. Then, I performed Hajj with my father, Az-Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwām, and the first thing he began with was Tawāf around the House, and there was nothing else. Then, I saw the Muhājirūn and Ansār do that, and there was nothing else. Then, the last one I saw doing that was Ibn ‘Umar; then, he did not break it with ‘Umrah. This is Ibn ‘Umar with them; why do they not ask him? And none among the past would start with anything when they set their feet before Tawāf around the House, and then they would not end their Ihrām. I saw that when my mother and maternal aunt came, they would not start with anything before the House, around which they would perform Tawāf, and then they would not end their Ihrām. My mother told me that she and her sister, Az-Zubayr, and so-and-so and so-and-so came to perform ‘Umrah only, and after they wiped over the corner, they ended their Ihrām. He told a lie in what he mentioned about that..

Commentary : In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Muhammad ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Nawfal al-Madani relates that a man from the people of Iraq said to him: "Ask ‘Urwah ibn az-Zubayr on behalf of me about a man who proclaims Talbiyah for Hajj." To proclaim Talbiyah is to say it in a loud voice. It here refers to assuming Ihrām for Hajj. And he reaches Makkah "and when he performs Tawāf" al-Qudūm "around the House", he may end his Ihrām once he performs Tawāf, without making Tawāf between Safa and Marwah, or not? It is said that the man meant to ask about dissolving Hajj and turning it into ‘Umrah. If the reply of ‘Urwah is that "he may not end" his Ihrām once he performs Tawāf, "tell him that there is a man" - meaning ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) - who advocates the opinion that Hajj may be dissolved and turned into ‘Umrah and Ihrām may be ended right after Tawāf.
Muhammad ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān informed that he posed the question to ‘Urwah as requested by this man. So, ‘Urwah said: He who proclaims Talbiyah for Hajj "may not end" his Ihrām except with Hajj and after completing all the rituals of Hajj. In response, Muhammad informed him that a man believed that he might end his Ihrām once he performed Tawāf. Thereupon, ‘Urwah said: "How bad his opinion is!" He criticized this view held by him. Then, Muhammad ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān said: "The man" who asked me to pose the question to 'Urwah "came across me," i.e., he intercepted and met me and asked me about the reply of 'Urwah. I related to him what 'Urwah had said. Thereupon, the man said to Muhammad ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān: Say to him: "There is a man", meaning Ibn' Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him), who held the view that if a person has not brought the Hady and he proclaimed Talbiyah for Hajj, he should end his Ihrām for Hajj after performing Tawāf; and that whoever wants to continue his Hajj should not approach the House until he has returned from 'Arafāt. He based his opinion on the command given by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to his Companions who did not bring the Hady to turn it into 'Umrah. Ibn' Abbās reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did that, i.e., he gave this instruction to his Companions who did not bring the Hady in the Farewell Hajj. This is known to have been the view adopted by Ibn' Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him), and the majority disagreed with him.
He also urged him to ask him about Asmā' bint Abi Bakr and Az-Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwām (may Allah be pleased with both of them), 'Urwah's parents, and the fact that they ended their Ihrām once they performed Tawāf. So, Muhammad ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān went to ‘Urwah and mentioned that to him. Thereupon, ‘Urwah asked him about the questioner who sent him with these questions. Muhammad told him that he did not know him. ‘Urwah said: Why does he not come to me himself and ask me? I think he is an Iraqi. This is because they were known at the time for their rigidity in religious matters. Muhammad replied: I do not know. ‘Urwah said: He lied as he attributed this action to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and also attributed it to Asmā' and Az-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with both of them). Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed Hajj, and Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) - she was his maternal aunt - informed me: "that the first thing he began with", i.e., when the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to Makkah, was to make ablution and then perform Tawāf al-Qudūm around the House. Then, he completed the activities and rituals of Hajj. And that when Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) set out for Hajj after the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), the first thing he would start with was Tawāf around the House. "And there was nothing else," i.e. he did not change Hajj, dissolve it, and turn it into 'Umrah or Hajj of Qirān. Then, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb and ‘Uthmān did like him, and then Mu‘āwiyah, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar, and Az-Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwām (may Allah be pleased with them), and then the Muhājirūn and Ansār; they would start with Tawāf al-Qudūm. Then, Ibn' Umar was the last one I saw doing that - i.e., starting with Tawāf. "Then, he did not break it with 'Umrah," i.e., he did not dissolve it and turn it into 'Umrah. Instead, he continued his Ihrām until he finished it. "This is Ibn 'Umar" present "with them, why do they not ask him?" about the matters of their religion, if they are truthful in following the Sunnah! Likewise, there was none among the Companions who passed by except that they would start with Tawāf around the House when they set their feet, and then they would not end their Ihrām right after Tawāf.
Then, ‘Urwah ibn az-Zubayr informed that he saw that when his mother Asmā’ bint Abu Bakr and his maternal aunt ‘Ā’ishah, Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with both of them), came to Makkah, the first thing they would do was Tawāf al-Qudūm around the House, and they would not end their Ihrām right after Tawāf. "My mother told me that she and her sister" 'Ā’ishah, the affirmer of the truth, came to Makkah, and with them were "Az-Zubayr and so-and-so and so-and-so", listing names of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), "to perform 'Umrah only" in the past, "After they wiped over the corner," i.e., the Black Stone, and started Tawāf from there, completed their Tawāf around the House and their Sa'i between Safa and Marwah, and shaved their heads, "they ended their Ihrām." "He", i.e., the questioner, "told a lie in what he mentioned about that", i.e., the ending of Ihrām right after Tawāf.
The Hadīth demonstrates that the first thing to be done within the Sacred Precincts is to start with the Tawāf al-Qudūm.
It also indicates that if a person assumes Ihrām for Hajj only, there is nothing wrong with him performing Tawāf around the House.
The Hadīth points out that one of the etiquettes that a questioner should observe is to pose his question by himself, if possible..

1236
Asmā’ bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: As we set out in Ihrām, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever has Hady should remain in Ihrām, and whoever does not have Hady should end Ihrām." I did not have Hady, and so I ended Ihrām. Az-Zubayr had Hady, and so he did not end Ihrām. She said: I wore my clothes and went out and sat beside Az-Zubayr. Thereupon, he said: "Stay away from me." I said: "Do you fear that I would jump on you?!".

Commentary : Tamattu‘ in Hajj is when a pilgrim intends to perform ‘Umrah along with Hajj. As he comes to Makkah and performs ‘Umrah, he ends his Ihrām and enjoys all that is lawful till the beginning of the rituals of Hajj on the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah.
In this Hadīth, Asmā’ bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) mentions part of what happened during the Farewell Hajj. She informs that they set out in Ihrām for Hajj during the tenth Hijri year. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) reached Makkah, performed Tawāf around the House, and made Sa‘i between Safa and Marwah, he enjoined his Companions who had Hady - a name for the livestock, camels, cows, and sheep offered to the Ka‘bah as an act of worship to Allah - to remain in Ihrām till they would end it after standing at ‘Arafah and complete the rituals of Hajj; thus, they performed Hajj of Qirān, performing Hajj and ‘Umrah together. As for those who did not have Hady with them, they should perform ‘Umrah and end Ihrām and then wait in Tamattu‘ till the day of Tarwiyah, the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, on which they would assume Ihrām for Hajj; thus, they performed Hajj of Tamattu‘.
Asmā’ (may Allah be pleased with her) related that she was among those who did not have Hady, so they performed ‘Umrah with Tamattu‘. Meanwhile, her husband Az-Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwām (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of those who brought the Hady, and so he remained in Ihrām. After she ended her Ihrām, she put on her clothes. This probably refers to her adorned clothes, for women are not forbidden from wearing stitched clothes under Ihrām. The version narrated by An-Nasā’i supports this: "and I put on some of my perfume." So, she (may Allah be pleased with her) went out of her tent and sat beside her husband, Az-Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwām (may Allah be pleased with him). Thereupon, he asked her to get up and stay away from him. In a version by Muslim: "Keep away from me, keep away from me." He (may Allah be pleased with him) seemingly feared he might do something forbidden for a Muhrim, such as touching a woman with desire and the like. Expressing disapproval of him, she (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "Do you fear that I would jump on you?!" i.e., that I will attack you and throw myself over you?! She meant: Do not think that I have come to spoil your Hajj or that she would cause him to engage in some of the things forbidden under Ihrām.
The Hadīth demonstrates the legitimacy of performing ‘Umrah with Tamattu‘ during the months of Hajj.
It indicates that if a performer of Tamattu‘ Hajj does not bring the Hady with him and ends his Ihrām after performing ‘Umrah, all the things forbidden for him under Ihrām become permissible for him till he assumes Ihrām for Hajj..

1238
Muslim al-Qurri reported: I asked Ibn' Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) about the Mut'ah of Hajj, and he declared it permissible, whereas Ibn Az-Zubayr forbade it. He said: This is the mother of Ibn Az-Zubayr narrating that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) declared it permissible. So, visit her and ask her. He said: We entered her place and found a blind, bulky woman. She said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) declared it permissible. [In a version]: As for ‘Abdur-Rahmān, his Hadīth mentions the Mut‘ah, but he did not say the Mut‘ah of Hajj. As for Ibn Ja‘far, he said: Shu‘bah said: Muslim said: I do not know whether it is the Mut‘ah of Hajj or the Mut‘ah of women..

Commentary : Tamattu‘ in Hajj is when the pilgrim assumes Ihrām for ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj and then ends his Ihrām, after which he assumes Ihrām for Hajj in the same year. So, if he comes to Makkah during the months of Hajj and performs ‘Umrah, he may end his Ihrām and enjoy all that is lawful until the rituals of Hajj begin.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Muslim ibn Mikhrāq al-Qurri informs that he asked ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) about the Tamattu‘ in ‘Umrah till the coming of Hajj, and he declared it permissible, i.e., it is legitimate and permissible. ‘Abdullāh ibn Az-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) forbade Tamattu‘. This is a difference of opinion between them based on the different reports reaching each of them about the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "This is the mother of Ibn Az-Zubayr" - meaning Asmā’ bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) - "narrating that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) declared it permissible"; and he enjoined them to visit her and ask her about the ruling on the Mut‘ah of Hajj. Muslim ibn Mikhrāq al-Qurri informed that when they entered her place, they found her to be a blind bulky woman, i.e., a big woman; and she became blind toward the end of her life. She told them that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) declared it - i.e., the Mut‘ah of Hajj - permissible. This is the same view held by Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him).
Shu‘bah ibn al-Hajjāj - one of the Hadīth narrators - related that Muslim al-Qurri, in one of his versions, said: "I do not know whether it is the Mut‘ah of Hajj or the Mut‘ah of women" i.e., he means the Mut‘ah mentioned in the Hadīth, whether it refers to the Mut‘ah of Hajj or the Mut‘ah of women. The mentioned Mut‘ah which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) declared permissible is more likely to be the Mut‘ah of Hajj, for it is mentioned in the narration of Rawh ibn ‘Ubādah from Shu‘bah, who memorized Hadīths better than others. The Mut‘ah marriage is to marry a woman for a specified period, using the word Tamattu‘, in return for a sum of money. This kind of marriage was permissible at the beginning. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade it ever since the Battle of Khaybar till the Day of Judgment..

1240
Ibn ‘Abbās reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) proclaimed Talbiyah for Hajj. [In a version]: We set out with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) proclaiming Talbiyah for Hajj. In all their versions: He performed the morning prayer in Al-Bat'hā’ - except for Al-Jahdami, who did not make mention of it..

Commentary : Hajj is the fifth pillars of Islam, and it is an act of worship for those who can find a way to it. All its rituals must be taken from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet's Companions were keen to convey that to the Tābi‘is.
This Hadīth is an abridged version of another Hadīth narrated by Muslim, in which ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) proclaimed Talbiyah for Hajj" i.e., he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went out of Madīnah intending to perform Hajj. So, he assumed Ihrām for Hajj and raised his voice in saying Talbiyah. His assumption of Ihrām and proclamation of Talbiyah took place in Dhul-Hulayfah, which is known today as "Ābār ‘Ali". He arrived in Makkah as four nights of Dhul-Hijjah had passed, in the tenth Hijri year. He performed the Fajr prayer at Al-Bat'hā’ on the morning of the fourth day of Dhul-Hijjah. Al-Bat'hā’: a place outside Makkah, and it is a broad channel containing small pebbles. It is also called Al-Muhassab. When he performed the Fajr prayer, he enjoined them to dissolve their Ihrām of Hajj and turn it into ‘Umrah. This is because during Jāhiliyyah "they used to consider the performance of ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj to be one of the worst immoralities in the world." Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) wanted to forbid them from that and demonstrate the lawfulness of doing so, and that whoever wants to perform ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj may perform it, and there is nothing wrong with that, and he becomes a performer of Tamattu‘ Hajj. When a person comes to Makkah during the months of Hajj and performs ‘Umrah, he may end his Ihrām and enjoy all the lawful things till the beginning of the Hajj rituals, and then he assumes Ihrām for Hajj.
It is said: He enjoined those who did not have the Hady to do that. As for those who brought the Hady, they should remain in their Ihrām for Hajj and not end it, for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Had I not had the Hady with me, I would have ended my Ihrām." Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim..

1241
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "This is an ‘Umrah which we have treated as Tamattu‘. So, whoever does not have the sacrificial animals should end Ihrām completely, for ‘Umrah has been incorporated in Hajj until the Day of Judgment.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went out for Hajj in the tenth year, in Dhul-Hijjah. It was called the Farewell Hajj. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded some of his Companions, after they had come to Makkah and performed Tawāf around the House and Sa‘i between Safa and Marwah, to end their Hajj and turn it into ‘Umrah, which was called Tamattu‘ in performing ‘Umrah before Hajj.
In this Hadīth, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) mentions that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "This is an ‘Umrah which we have treated as Tamattu‘"; thereby, he refers to the command he gave to some of his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to end their Hajj and turn it into ‘Umrah. Meanwhile, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was in a state of Qirān, performing ‘Umrah along with Hajj, and he did not end his Hajj to turn it into ‘Umrah along with them. However, he attributed Tamattu‘ to himself because he was the one who commanded them to do so and approved it for them. Those who were commanded to engage in Tamattu‘ were those who did not have the sacrificial animals, a term that refers to cattle, such as camels, cows, and sheep, that are offered at the Ka‘bah as a means of closeness to Allah. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered them to end Ihrām completely, i.e., all the things forbidden because of Ihrām were then permissible for them. Then, clarifying the reason behind his command about ending Ihrām, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said that ‘Umrah was incorporated into Hajj until the Day of Judgment, i.e., ‘Umrah can be performed in the months of Hajj, unlike the past practice of the people of Jāhiliyyah. The intention for ‘Umrah was incorporated into the intention for Hajj, such that if a person intends to perform Hajj, it becomes legitimate for him to end Hajj by the performance of ‘Umrah, in case he did not bring the sacrificial animals with him. As for those who bring the sacrificial animals with them, they should remain in their Ihrām until the completion of the rituals of Hajj, and this is called Qirān Hajj.
The Hadīth shows that ‘Umrah can be performed in the months of Hajj..

1243
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed the Zuhr prayer in Dhul-Hulayfah. Then, he called for his she-camel and marked it on the right side of its hump, removed the blood from it, and tied two of its shoes around its neck. Then, he mounted his riding camel, and when it brought him up to Al-Baydā’, he pronounced Talbiya for Hajj. [In a version]: When the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to Dhu al-Hulayfah. He did not say: He offered the Zhuhr prayer therein..

Commentary : Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam which Allah Almighty commanded His servants to fulfill. It must be performed by him who can, physically and financially. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed Hajj only once. So, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) transmitted the detailed aspects of this Hajj, so that we can learn the manner of Hajj enjoined by Allah Almighty.
In this Hadīth, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed the Zhuhr prayer while going out to Hajj in Dhul-Hulayfah in a shortened form, i.e., as two Rak‘ahs. This is because he was traveling to Makkah, and Dhul-Hulayfah is close, located 6 or 7 miles (nearly 10km) away from Madīnah and 420km from Makkah. It is nowadays known among ordinary people as Abiyār ‘Ali or Ābār ‘Ali, and it is the Miqāt for the people of Madīnah and those who pass by it. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) called for "his she-camel," which was part of the sacrificial animals to be slaughtered in the Sacred Precincts. "And marked it on the right side of its hump," the highest area on the back of the camel. Marking a sacrificial camel is to slit one side of its hump until it bleeds. This is used as a mark indicating that the camel is a sacrifice; thus, no one will take it. And if it strays away, it will be brought back, and if it gets mixed up with other camels, it remains distinct. "Removed the blood from it and tied two shoes around its neck" to be another mark defining it as a sacrifice. "Then, he mounted his riding animal," which is a mount prepared for traveling. At that time, it was a she-camel called Al-Qaswā’. "And when it brought him up," i.e., the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ascended while on the back of the riding animal to an area called 'Al-Baydā’'', a place adjacent to Dhul-Hulayfah, the location of Miqāt for the people of Madīnah. Al-Baydā’ in the Arabic language means the empty desert. But here it refers to a certain place between Makkah and Madīnah, and it is located above the two signposts of Dhul-Hulayfah for those who ascend from the valley. At the beginning of Al-Baydā’ lies a well of water.
When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was in Al-Baydā’, he pronounced Talbiyah for Hajj, i.e., he assumed Ihrām for Hajj and raised his voice in proclaiming the Talbiyah of Hajj.
In a Hadīth of the Two Sahīh Collections, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not pronounce Talbiyah except from the mosque, meaning the mosque of Dhul-Hulayfah." The difference between the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) regarding the locations from which the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) proclaimed Talbiyah is probably because each of them talked about what he saw. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went out from Madīnah for Hajj, and when he prayed in the mosque of Dhul-Hulayfah, he pronounced Talbiyah for Hajj. So, some people heard that from him and memorized it. Then, he rode, and when his she-camel stood up with him on its back, he proclaimed Talbiyah. Some people became aware of his act, as they would come in groups. They heard it and said: Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pronounced Talbiyah when his she-camel stood up with him on its back. Then, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) proceeded, and when he ascended the height of Al-Baydā’, he pronounced Talbiyah. Some people became aware of what he did, and so they said: Indeed, he pronounced Talbiyah when he ascended the height of Al-Baydā’. So, each of them transmitted what he heard. This clearly indicates that the difference arose over starting the proclamation of Talbiyah and the assumption of Ihrām from the Miqāt. This confusion is cleared by the Hadīth narrated by Abu Dāwūd, in which Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I swear by Allah, he proclaimed Talbiyah at the place where he prayed, and he proclaimed Talbiyah when his she-camel stood up with him on its back, and he proclaimed Talbiyah when he ascended the height of Al-Baydā’."
The Hadīth points out what the pilgrim should do if he brings the sacrificial animal with him, marking it, causing some of its blood to flow, and hanging a sign around its neck.
It also indicates that Talbiyah and Ihrām should be proclaimed at the locational Miqāt..

1244
Abu Hassān al-A‘raj reported: A man from Banu al-Hujaym said to Ibn ‘Abbās: "What is this Fatwa of yours which has engaged the attention of people, or has become a matter of dispute among them - that he who performs Tawāf around the House has ended his Ihrām?!" He said: "The Sunnah of your Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), even if you dislike it.".

Commentary : Tamattu‘ in Hajj is when the pilgrim assumes Ihrām for ‘Umrah during the days of Hajj and then ends his Ihrām, after which he assumes Ihrām for Hajj in the same year. So, if he comes to Makkah during the months of Hajj and performs ‘Umrah, he may end his Ihrām and enjoy all that is lawful until the rituals of Hajj begin.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Abu Hassān al-A‘raj informs that a man from Banu al-Hujaym - a branch of the tribe of Tamīm - said to ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him): "What is this Fatwa of yours which has engaged people's attention or has become a matter of dispute among them." In Arabic, Tashaghghafat means: It gripped people's attention; and Tashaghghabat: It made them confused regarding their matter. The Fatwa is that he who performs Tawāf around the House has ended his Ihrām. It apparently suggests that he (may Allah be pleased with him) advocated Tamattu‘ in Hajj, whereas ‘Umar and ‘Uthmān (may Allah be pleased with both of them), during their respective caliphates, and some of the Companions forbade it and enjoined people to perform Hajj of Ifrād. So, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) clarified to them that he who performs Tawāf around the House and makes Sa‘i between Safa and Marwah has ended his Ihrām by shaving his head or cutting his hair and dissolved his Hajj and turned it into ‘Umrah, in case he has not brought the Hady with him; as for he who brought the Hady, he should continue his Ihrām until he completes the other rituals of Hajj. His words: "The Sunnah of your Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)" mean: What Ibn' Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) urged them to do is what the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) determined for his Companions in the Farewell Hajj, and it continued to be done after him, and it was not mentioned therein that the ruling was abrogated or that it particularly applied to them at that time. It is well known that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded them to end their Ihrām by Tawāf and Sa'i and shaving or cutting hair. This happened at the top of Marwah, as stated in the Hadīth reported by Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) and narrated by Muslim. And his words: "even if you dislike it" mean: You obey and comply even if you are unwilling.
Some took the words of Ibn' Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) here to mean that one should end Ihrām after Tawāf al-Qudūm. But, this potential meaning is ruled out because it contradicts the Prophet's action and what was authentically reported from him, and it also runs counter to the view adopted by the majority of scholars..

1252
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, the son of Mary (Mariyam) will certainly proclaim Talbiyah in the valley of Ar-Rawhā’ for Hajj or ‘Umrah or both of them together." [In a version]: "By the One in Whose Hand the soul of Muhammad is.".

Commentary : The Ummah of Islam enjoys great significance, for it is the last of the prophets' communities in the world, and its Prophet is the seal of the prophets; he was sent to all humankind as a bringer of good news and a warner, and his Da'wah is enduring till the end of time.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) swears by Allah Who possesses the soul of His servant and Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and has the power to seize it - the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would often take this oath - that Jesus ('Īsa) the son of Mary (peace be upon both of them) will proclaim Talbiyah, which will happen at the end of time and is regarded as one of the major signs of the Day of Judgment. To proclaim Talbiyah is to say it in a loud voice. This indicates that he will set out for Hajj to the House of Allah Almighty, which will come to pass in the valley of Ar-Rawhā’, a place lying between Makkah and Madīnah. His Talbiyah will be for Hajj or Umrah only or for Hajj and Umrah together.
Prophet Jesus the son of Mary (peace be upon him) is alive in heaven. It is authentically narrated in the Two Sahīh Collections that he (peace be upon him) will descend to the earth before the Day of Judgment "as a just judge; he will break the cross, kill the pigs, and abolish jizyah (a tax imposed on non-Muslim inhabitants in an Islamic state.)"
The Hadīth mentions Talbiyah for Hajj and ‘Umrah in Ifrād or Qirān.
It points out that the prophets perform Hajj and ‘Umrah..

1265
Abu At-Tufayl reported: I said to Ibn ‘Abbās: "I think that I saw the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)." He said: "Describe him to me." He said: I said: "I saw him near Marwah on the back of a she-camel, and people had thronged around him." Ibn' Abbās said: "This is the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), for they were neither pushed aside from him nor turned away.".

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would observe the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in all his conditions to learn from him the Sunnahs, the etiquettes, and the teachings of the religion, especially in such situations that required such that they had not previously witnessed him, like Hajj and ‘Umrah. Indeed, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) enjoined them to learn the rituals from him.
In this Hadīth, the noble Companion Abu At-Tufayl ‘Āmir ibn Wāthilah (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that he thinks he saw the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He probably intends to refer here to one of the situations during the Farewell Hajj. But he did not emphasize that for fear that he might have seen someone else and mistook him for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) due to the crowdedness in the Sacred Mashā‘ir.
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him to describe the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to him. Abu At-Tufayl informed that he saw him near Mount Marwah on the back of a she-camel as people surrounded him to learn their rituals from him. He rode the she-camel so that everyone could see him. In response, Ibn' Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) affirmed to him that the person he had seen riding his she-camel near Marwah was the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He told him why he rode the she-camel, and that was because the people "were neither pushed aside from him nor were they turned away." In some versions: "they were not forced", i.e., no one would force them to turn away from him.
Another version by Muslim points out that riding is not an act of Sunnah, and that walking and Ramal between Safa and Marwah was more beloved to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "There was a large crowd around the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saying: This is Muhammad, this is Muhammad. Even virgins came out of their houses. He said that people would not be beaten back in front of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). When a large crowd surrounded him, he rode(the she-camel. However, walking and jogging are better..

1267
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would not touch any of the corners of the House except the Black Corner and the one next to it from the direction of the houses of Al-Jumahiyyīn..

Commentary : The Sacred House was built with four corners. The first two are the Corner of the Black Stone and the Yemeni Corner, which are called the Two Yemenis, thus attributing both to what is more dominant of them. As for the two other corners, they are called The Two Levantines.
In this Hadīth, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would not touch any of the corners of the House except the two corners only. First: The Black Corner. He used to kiss or point to it with a stick or the like and then kiss it. This is because it comprises two merits, one of which is that it rests upon the foundations of Abraham (Ibrāhīm) (peace be upon him), and the other is that it contains the Black Stone. It is situated in the corner of the Ka‘bah that lies next to the gate from the eastern direction. The second Corner: "the one next to it". This is the Yemeni Corner, and the merit by which it is characterized is that it rests upon the foundations of Abraham also; this is why the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would touch, kiss, and wipe over it, apart from the other two corners. His words "from the direction of the houses of Al-Jumahiyyīn" refer to Banu Jumah, a subtribe of the Quraysh whose houses were opposite the Yemeni Corner at the time. As for the other two corners, they do not possess any of these two merits. So, they are not kissed or touched.
The Hadīth defines what should be touched and kissed of the Ka‘bah, which is the Corner of the Black Stone and the Yemeni Corner, apart from the others..

1273
Jābir reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed Tawāf around the House during the Farewell Hajj while riding his mount. He touched the Stone with his curved-end stick so that the people could see him, and he should be conspicuous, and they could ask him for the people crowded around him..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) demonstrated the rituals and activities of Hajj and ‘Umrah through words and deeds and pointed out what is permissible from among them and what is not.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) informs that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed Tawāf around the House during the Farewell Hajj, and that was the Hajj performed by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in 10 A.H. It was called as such because the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) seemed to have been bidding farewell to them, and he passed away shortly after that. "while riding his mount"; mount refers to every animal prepared for riding. During that Hajj, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was riding his she-camel, he was touching the Black Stone with his curved-end stick, Mihjan in Arabic. In a Hadīth in the Sahīh Muslim Collection, Abu At-Tufayl (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "and he kissed the curved-end stick." This is because one of the Sunnahs of Tawāf is to kiss the Black Stone, and since he was unable to touch the Stone with his hand, he touched it with a stick and kissed what touched the Stone. Then, Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) pointed out that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) rode his she-camel to make it easier for people to see him and for him to be at a high place so that the people could recognize him and ask him about anything they would find confusing regarding the rituals of Hajj. He did so because the people "crowded around him"; so, he feared for them due to this crowdedness and did not want to be obliged to turn them away from himself. Therefore, his riding was easier for him and them and more beneficial in terms of following his example, and so that they could see him and ask him about whatever they wished.
The Hadīth denotes the permissibility to perform Tawāf while riding a mount, and this also applies to similar things like wheelchairs, particularly if riding serves a certain benefit, such as giving Fatwas to people and teaching them.
It also mentions touching the Black Stone and indicates that if a person is unable to touch it with his hand - because he is riding something or there is crowdedness - he may touch it with a stick or the like..

1274
‘Ā’ishah reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed Tawāf around the Ka‘bah during the Farewell Hajj on the back of his camel, and he touched the Corner (the Black Stone), disliking that the people should be pushed away from him..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach people through words and deeds, and he would facilitate the matters of religion for them at times of hardship and necessity. For example, he would facilitate the rituals and acts of Hajj that were hard for people.
In this Hadīth, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet's wife, informs that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed Tawāf on the back of his camel, which was prepared for traveling, during the Farewell Hajj, that was the Hajj performed by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in 10 A.H. It was called as such because the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) seemed to have been bidding farewell to them, and he passed away shortly after that. "and he touched the Corner" i.e., the Black Stone. In the Two Sahīh Collections: "and he touched the Stone with a Mihjan" i.e., a curved-end staff. In a Hadīth narrated by Muslim, Abu At-Tufayl (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "and he touched the curved-end staff." This is because one of the Sunnahs of Tawāf is to kiss the Black Stone.
Clarifying the reason for that, she said: "disliking that the people should be pushed away from him", which means that if he performed Tawāf on foot, it would be feared that people around him would be pushed away. So, out of compassion towards the people, he rode his camel to prevent that from happening. This was a method for turning them away from him without pushing, forcing, or shouting at them. Certainly, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would not accept that people be pushed away from him. But he rode his camel lest one of those around him would volunteer to push the people away from him. In a version by An-Nasā’i in As-Sunan Al-Kubra Collection - and also in some versions in the Sahīh Muslim Collection -: "the people be pushed away from him"; "pushed away" instead of "beaten". The pronoun in Arabic may be referring to the Stone, and the meaning would be: If he performed Tawāf on foot, the people would turn away from the Stone each time the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) passed by it, to avoid putting him in crowding, out of reverence for him. And the pronoun may be referring to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and the meaning would be: Anyone who tried to reach him to ask him, see him, or follow his example would be unable to do so because of the large crowds around him, and so he would turn away without having his need fulfilled.
Also one of the reasons behind his riding during Tawāf was what Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported in a Hadīth narrated by Muslim: "so that the people could see him, and he should be conspicuous, and they could ask him, for the people crowded around him,", i.e. so that the people could recognize him and ask him about anything they found confusing regarding the rituals of Hajj. He rode his she-camel because the people crowded around him, so he feared this crowdedness for them and did not want to be obliged to turn them away from himself. Therefore, his riding was easier for him and them and more beneficial in terms of following his example.
The Hadīth denotes the permissibility to perform Tawāf while riding a mount, and this also applies to similar things, like wheel wheelchairs, mainly if riding serves a particular benefit, such as giving Fatwas to people and teaching them.
It also mentions touching the Black Stone and indicates that if a person cannot touch it with his hand - because of riding something or crowdedness - he may touch it with a stick or the like..

1279
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh reported: Neither the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) nor his Companions performed Tawāf between Safa and Marwah except for one Tawāf. [In a version]: Except for one Tawāf; his first Tawāf..

Commentary : Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam, and it is an act of worship for those who can find a way to it. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) taught us its pillars, Sunnahs, and etiquettes.
In this Hadīth, the noble Companion Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh says that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), in his Hajj, did not perform Tawāf between Safa and Marwah, except for one Tawāf, neither did his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). Another version adds: "his first Tawāf". Tawāf here refers to Sa‘i between the mount of Safa and Marwah, which is one of the pillars of Hajj and ‘Umrah. It consists of seven rounds, the first of which starts from Safa and ends at Marwah, and the second round starts from Marwah and ends at Safa, and so on. Those of his Companions who performed Qirān Hajj - combining Hajj and ‘Umrah with one Ihrām - did not perform Sa‘i between Safa and Marwah except for once, because one Tawāf and one Sa‘i is sufficient for the performer of Qirān Hajj, as the rituals of ‘Umrah are incorporated into the rituals of Hajj. As for those who performed Tamattu‘ Hajj - assuming Ihrām for ‘Umrah in the months of Hajj and then ending its Ihrām and assuming Ihrām for Hajj - they performed two Sa‘is: one Sa‘i for their ‘Umrah and another Sa‘i for their Hajj on the Day of Nahr. This is demonstrated by a Hadīth narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim, in which ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "Those who proclaimed Talbiyah for ‘Umrah performed Tawāf around the House and between Safa and Marwah. Then, they ended Ihrām, and then they performed another Tawāf after returning from Mina," i.e., those who performed Tamattu‘ Hajj. "As for those who combined Hajj and ‘Umrah, they performed one Tawāf," i.e., those who performed Qirān Hajj..

1282
Ibn ‘Abbās reported: Al-Fadl ibn ‘Abbās, who rode behind the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), reported that on the evening of ‘Arafah and the morning of Jam‘, he said to the people when they returned: "Adopt tranquility!" Meanwhile, he held back his she-camel till he entered Muhassir, which is part of Mina, and said: "Get the Khadhf pebbles whereby the Jamrah is thrown." [In a version]: He did not mention: And he added: As the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed with his hand like a person engaging in Khadhf..

Commentary : Tranquility and solemnity are among the commendable traits encouraged by the Shariah, especially in worship and such situations that entail displaying them more than any other time, like Hajj, given that there are plenty of people and crowdedness therein, which requires moderateness in walking to avoid hurting others.
In this Hadīth, Al-Fadl ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) mentions that he was riding behind the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) on his mount during the season of Hajj at the end of the day of ‘Arafah, which is the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, at the time of heading to Muzdalifah, and "on the evening of ‘Arafah"; it is said: It occurs after sunset, for this is the time of the Imām's departure and the time of breaking the fast. It is also said: It is the time of standing from the afternoon to the dawn of the day of Nahr, for this is a time in which people stand at ‘Arafah and come to it in this manner. And it is said: The evening extends from noon to sunset. ‘Arafah is a name for the well-known area where the pilgrims must stand on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah. Jam 'is Muzdalifah. It is a valley located between the two Mashā‘ir of Mina and 'Arafāt, and the pilgrims stay there after leaving 'Arafāt, and then they perform therein the Maghrib and 'Ishā' prayers, combined and shortened, and they collect from it the pebbles for throwing Jamarāt at Mina. The pilgrims stay there till the morning of the next day, the day of Eid al-Ad'ha, after which they head to Mina.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to the people: "Adopt tranquility!" This is a Prophetic instruction on etiquette and Sunnah related to departing from 'Arafah and Muzdalifah, which also applies to all crowded situations. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prevented his she-camel from hastening amid crowds and made his mount move slowly. Thus, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) set a practical example of walking with calmness and tranquility and without hastening in crowdedness. He proceeded in this manner until he entered the valley of Muhassir, a small valley passing between and separating Mina and Muzdalifah.
When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered the valley of Muhassir, he instructed the people on the size of the pebbles they should collect; he said: "Get the Khadhf pebbles", and these are small pebbles similar to the seeds of beans. In another version: "As the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed with his hand like a person engaging in Khadhf." This is intended for clarification and greater demonstration of the size of the pebbles to be thrown at the Jamarāt and that they should be small, like the Khadhf pebbles. It is not intended that the throwing should be in the manner of Khadhf, which is done with the tips of the forefinger and the thumb.
Then, Al-Fadl (may Allah be pleased with him) informed: that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) kept proclaiming Talbiyah till he finished the throwing of Jamrat al-‘Aqabah on the day of Nahr, which is the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah. Thereupon, he stopped Talbiyah. This is the largest Jamrah, which lies to the west of Mina in the direction of Makkah. The wording of Talbiyah reads: "Labbayka allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharīka laka labbayk, inna al-hamda wa an-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk, la sharīka lak (Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am at Your service; here I am at Your service, You have no partner, here I am at Your service. Indeed, the praise, the favor, and the dominion belong to You. You have no partner)." The time of Talbiyah begins upon the assumption of Ihrām for Hajj or ‘Umrah.
The Hadīth demonstrates how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would care about people and direct them in such situations where needed.
It indicates that the pebbles should be small and they should be thrown gently, so as not to hurt people with strong throwing or large pebbles..

1283
‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Yazīd reported: that ‘Abdullāh proclaimed Talbiyah when he departed from Jam‘. So, it was said: "Is this a Bedouin?" Thereupon, ‘Abdullāh said: "Have people forgotten or gone astray?! I heard the one to whom Surat al-Baqarah was revealed say in this place: Labbayka allahumma labbayk (Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am at Your service).".

Commentary : Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam, and it is an act of worship for those who can find a way to it. Its pillars, Sunnahs, and etiquettes must be taken from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Yazīd informs that ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) proclaimed Talbiyah when he departed from Jam‘, which is Muzdalifah. It is the third among the sacred Mashā‘ir by which the pilgrims pass and is located between Mina and ‘Arafāt. The pilgrims stay there after leaving ‘Arafāt at the end of the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, and then they perform therein the Maghrib and ‘Ishā’ prayers, combined and shortened, and they collect from it the pebbles for throwing Jamarāt at Mina. The pilgrims stay there till the morning of the following day, the day of Eid al-Ad'ha, after which they head to Mina. The wording of Talbiyah - according to a Hadīth reported by Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and narrated in the Two Sahīh Collections - reads: "Labbayka allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharīka laka labbayk, inna al-hamda wa an-ni‘mata laka wa al-mulk, la sharīka lak (Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am at Your service; here I am at Your service, You have no partner, here I am at Your service. Indeed, the praise, the favor, and the dominion belong to You. You have no partner)." When the people heard him proclaiming Talbiyah in this place and at this time, they expressed disapproval of his Talbiyah and thought that he was a Bedouin from the dwellers of the desert who had no understanding or knowledge about the rulings of the religion. Al-Bayhaqi narrated in Al-Kubra Collection: "They said: O Bedouin, this is not a day for Talbiyah; it is a day for Takbīr." Expressing disapproval of those who criticized his Talbiyah upon departing from Muzdalifah, ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Have people forgotten or gone astray?!" In other words, have those people forgotten the Prophet's Sunnah in Talbiyah in a situation like this and therefore they criticized it, or they have knowingly abandoned the Sunnah?! Then, He said: "I heard the one to whom Surat al-Baqarah was revealed" - meaning the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) - "say in this place: Labbayka allahumma labbayk (Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am at Your service)" i.e., I repeat my response to You in complying with Your command to perform Hajj, and I observe Your command time and again. He mentioned Surat al-Baqarah in particular because most of the rulings on the rituals occur therein. So, it is as if he said: This is the practice of the one to whom the rituals were revealed, from whom the Shariah was taken, and who clarified the rulings; so, adopt it.
The Hadīth mentions that Talbiyah is to be proclaimed in Muzdalifah.
It shows how the Companions used to teach people and remind them of the Sunnah of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)..