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| 2 Hadiths

Hadith
750
It was narrated that Anas ibn Malik said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “What is the matter with people who lift their gaze to heaven whilst praying?” And he spoke so sternly about that that he said: “They should certainly stop that, lest their eyesight be snatched away.”.

Commentary : The best is for the worshipper to look at his place of prostration; this is more appropriate so that he can focus on his prayer, and makes it less likely that he will be distracted by other things. It will stop his gaze wandering, and help him to focus and maintain humility in prayer.
In this hadith, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) warned against looking up to heaven whilst praying, using very stern words, but at the same time being tactful. Therefore he said, “What is the matter with people who lift their gaze to heaven whilst praying?” The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) often said, “What is the matter with people who do such and such?”  not mentioning them by name, so as to respect their privacy and spare them embarrassment and shame. Rather he spoke about what he wanted to convey without mentioning them by name, so that they would understand what he meant and comply with it. He (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) warned against lifting one’s gaze to heaven whilst praying by saying: “They should certainly stop that, lest their eyesight be snatched away.” In other words, either they should stop doing that, or else Allah will snatch away their eyesight, and it will not be returned to them, which refers to them becoming blind. This phrase points to an emphatic prohibition and a stern warning against doing that.
The reason for the prohibition on lifting the gaze to heaven whilst praying is that it is a kind of turning away from the qiblah which Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) has chosen for the one who prays, and it makes him look as if he is not praying.
This hadith highlights the stern warning that is addressed to the one who lifts his gaze to heaven that his eyesight may be snatched away.
It indicates that it is permissible to use harsh words of rebuke to deter one who is committing sin.
It indicates that the one who is committing sin may be rebuked and exhorted without mentioning him by name in front of other people. .

751
It was narrated that ‘A’ishah said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) about turning the head whilst praying. He said: “That is something that the Shaytan steals from a person’s prayer.”.

Commentary : Prayer is the foundation of faith, and is an act of worship that is both physical and spiritual. The Muslim should perform it with total humility and focus, and not let the Shaytan have any share of it, so that his prayer will not be rendered invalid and so that nothing will be detracted from the reward for it.
In this hadith, the Mother of the Believers ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that she asked the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) about turning the head whilst praying. Turning the head means moving the face and turning it right or left whilst praying. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) answered by saying that this is something that the Shaytan steals from a person’s prayer. The word translated here as stealing refers to taking or snatching something quickly. What is meant is that turning of the head is something that the Shaytan steals and snatches from the Muslim’s prayer in order to distract him from focusing and showing humility in the prayer. Thus something will be detracted his reward, and that may lead to what is worse than that, namely the prayer being rendered invalid altogether. This indicates that it is prohibited to turn the head whilst praying. .

755
It was narrated that Jabir ibn Samurah said: The people of Kufah complained about Sa‘d to ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), so he dismissed him and appointed ‘Ammar as their governor instead. Then they complained to the extent that they said that he [Sa‘d] did not pray properly. So ‘Umar sent for him and said: O Abu Ishaq, these people are saying that you do not pray properly. Abu Ishaq said: By Allah, I used to lead them in prayer and my prayer was exactly as the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to lead the prayer, and I did not fall short in this in the slightest. When I led them in ‘Isha’ prayer, I made the first two rak‘ahs long and I made the last two rak‘ahs short. ‘Umar said: This is what we think of you, O Abu Ishaq. Then he sent a man, or some men, with him to Kufah, to ask the people of Kufah about him, and he did not omit any mosque but he asked the people there about him, and they spoke well of him, until he went to a mosque belonging to Banu ‘Abs. There a man whose name was Usamah ibn Qatadah, and he was known by the kunyah Abu Sa‘dah, stood up and said: As you are adjuring us by Allah, I am bound to tell you that Sa‘d did not lead us in campaigns, he did not share out the booty equally, and he was not just when passing judgement. Sa‘d said: By Allah, I shall certainly pray for three things: O Allah, if this slave of Yours is lying, and the reason he said that is to show off and seek a reputation, then cause him to live a long life, make him live in poverty for a long time, and put him to trial and temptation. Later on, when the man who said that was asked what had happened, he would say: I am a very old man who has been subjected to trial and temptation. I have been affected by the supplication of Sa‘d. ‘Abd al-Malik said: I saw him later on; his eyebrows had fallen over his eyes because of old age, and when he saw young women in the street, he would try to say sweet words to them. .

Commentary : Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) has instructed the believer to pay attention to all his duties and obligations. So he should pay attention to the obligatory worship that is required of him, and do it as Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) has enjoined. He should pay due attention to the job or task that has been assigned to him, and do it as he has been instructed to do it and as it should be done. He should pay due attention to giving other people their rights, and take his own rights in full, without anything being detracted from them. So he should not wrong others and he should not be wronged himself.
In this hadith, Jabir ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the people of Kufah complained to ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) about Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) when he was the governor of Kufah. So ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) dismissed him in order to calm the people down and avoid turmoil, even though he trusted him, and he replaced him with ‘Ammar ibn Yasir (may Allah be pleased with him) as their governor. ‘Umar appointed Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas as commander-in-chief to fight the Persians in 14 AH, and Allah granted the conquest of Iraq at his hands. He founded the city of Kufah in 17 AH, and ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) appointed him as governor of the city until he dismissed him in 21 AH, or 20 AH.
Some of the people of Kufah complained about Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) to ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), making several allegations against him. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) investigated the matter, and found that the allegations were all false. They even said that he did not pray properly, but this was due to their lack of understanding and their ignorance about how the prayer is to be done, not because  Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) did not pray properly. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) sent for Sa‘d and asked him about their complaints, addressing him by his kunyah: O Abu Ishaq – which was Sa‘d’s kunyah – these people are saying that you do not pray properly. Sa‘d said: By Allah, I used to lead them in prayer and my prayer was exactly as the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to lead the prayer, and I did not fall short in this in the slightest. When I led them in ‘Isha’ prayer, I made the first two rak‘ahs long – that was because after al-Fatihah he would recite whatever he could of Qur’an – and I made the last two rak‘ahs short – because  he would not recite anything after al-Fatihah. It is as if what they criticized in his prayer was his making the recitation lengthy in the first part of the prayer and making it shorter in the second part of the prayer, but those who criticized him for that were ignorant. Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) singled out ‘Isha’ prayer for mention, because he thought that their complaint was about this prayer. It was also suggested that what he meant when he referred to ‘Isha’ prayer was both Maghrib and ‘Isha’. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: You have followed the Sunnah in your actions, and you have prayed as the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to pray. This is what we thought you would do.
At the beginning of the hadith, it says that ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) sent for Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) to question him, then he addressed him as one present: “That is what we think of you, O Abu Ishaq.” This indicates that Sa‘d was not there, then he came. ‘Umar sent one man, or some men, to Iraq with him, who were led by Muhammad ibn Maslamah (may Allah be pleased with him). This delegation asked the people of Kufah about Sa‘d. They did not leave any of the mosques of Kufah but they questioned its people about him, and they all spoke well of him and praised him, until he went to a mosque belonging to Banu ‘Abs, who were a tribe of Qays. A man whose name was Usamah ibn Qatadah stood up and said: As you have adjured us and asked us by Allah (may He be exalted) to tell you about Sa‘d, we will tell you that Sa‘d did not go out on campaign in Allah’s cause, he did not share out the booty fairly, and he was not just when judging between people. He said what he said wrongfully and unfairly towards Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him), falsely attributing to him things of which he was innocent. The reason why he stood up and said that was that he was showing off and seeking a reputation. So Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) prayed against him, saying: By Allah, I shall certainly pray for three things: O Allah, if this slave of Yours is lying, and the reason he said that is to show off and seek a reputation, then cause him to live a long life, make him live in poverty for a long time, and put him to trial and temptation. So he prayed against him, asking for three things, the first of which was that he would live a long life. What was meant was that he should live so long that he would reach the worst age, when a man’s bones grow weak and he loses his strength. Thus this was a supplication against the man, not for him. In addition to long life, the second supplication was that Allah would make him very poor for a long time, which is the worst and hardest kind of life in this world. And he added a third thing, which was worse than the first two, which was that Allah should subject him to trial and temptation, so he was subjected to the temptation of women. Thus when this man, whom Sa‘d had prayed against, was asked about the bad situation in which he found himself, he would say: I am a very old man who has been tried and tempted. I have been affected by the supplication of Sa‘d which was answered. His words “a very old man” refer to the fulfilment of the first supplication, “then cause him to live a long life”; his words “who has been tried and tempted” refer to the third supplication. He did not mention the second supplication, “make him live in poverty for a long time”, because it is included in his words, “I have been affected by the supplication of Sa‘d.”
‘Abd al-Malik – one of the narrators of the hadith; he was the son of ‘Umayr ibn Suwayd al-Kufi – said: I saw him after his eyebrows grew long and fell over his eyes because of old age. He would try to chat to young women in the streets, and say sweet words to them in front of people. This proves that the supplication of Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) was answered, and that his supplication against this man came under the heading of praying against a specific wrongdoer in a manner commensurate with his lack of religious commitment, not praying that he fall into sin. Rather it is praying against him in such a way that leads to an increase in the punishment of the wrongdoer.
This hadith highlights the virtue of Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) and indicates that he was a person whose supplication would be answered.
It indicates that it is permissible to make the first rak‘ah lengthy and to make the second rak‘ah shorter.
It highlights the keenness of the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) to follow the example of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). Thus they used to pray as the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed.
It indicates that warding off mischief takes precedence over attaining good aims. Therefore ‘Umar dismissed Sa‘d even though he was more qualified than those who came after him, in order to put an end to turmoil and ward off mischief.
It indicates that one may address a man of high standing by his kunyah..

756
It was narrated from ‘Ubadah ibn al-Samit that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book.”.

Commentary : Prayer has essential parts and obligatory parts without which it is neither valid nor complete. In this hadith, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) confirms one of the essential parts of the prayer, which is reciting Surat al-Fatihah. He tells us that the prayer of one who does not recite the Opening of the Book (i.e., al-Fatihah) in every rak‘ah is not valid. Therefore reciting al-Fatihah is one of the essential parts of the prayer in every rak‘ah, and the prayer is not valid without it. The imam and the one who is praying on his own must recite it, and the one who is praying behind an imam should listen attentively when the imam recites it in prayers in which recitation is done out loud, because of the hadith narrated by Imam Muslim from Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him), in which it says: “… then when he – meaning the imam – recites, listen attentively.”
This hadith indicates that it is enjoined to recite al-Fatihah in the prayer..

757
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) entered the mosque, and a man came in and prayed, then he greeted the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) with salaam. He returned his greeting, and said: “Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.” So the man went back and prayed as he had prayed the first time, then he came and greeted the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) with salaam. He said: “Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.” This happened three times, then the man said: By the One Who sent you with the truth, I cannot do any better than that; teach me. So he said: “When you stand to pray, say takbir, then recite whatever you have learned of Qur’an. Then bow, then pause and be at ease in bowing, then rise until you are standing up straight. Then prostrate, then pause and be at ease in prostration. Then sit up, and pause and be at ease whilst sitting. And do that throughout your prayer.”.

Commentary : Prayer is the foundation of faith, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) has explained how to pray in word and deed. He (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) would point out mistakes to the one who did not pray properly, and he would teach him the correct way to offer the prayer.
In this hadith, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) entered the mosque, and another man – whose name was Khallad ibn Rafi‘ – came in and prayed, rushing through his prayer. He did not pause and let himself be at ease in his standing, bowing or prostrating. When he had finished praying, he greeted the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) with salaam, and he returned his greeting, then he instructed him to repeat this prayer, because it had been rendered invalid by his failing to pause and let himself be at ease in the movements of the prayer. So the man prayed again, but without pausing, because he rushed through his prayer and did not allow enough time to pause and be at ease, or to be able to recite properly the words of Qur’an and dhikr connected to each part of the prayer. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) instructed him to repeat it three times, and it may be that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) instructed him to repeat the prayer more than once in the hope that he would pay more attention, because of the possibility that he had done that out of forgetfulness or heedlessness, but by repeating it he might pay heed and do it in the right manner without the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) needing to teach him. Or it may be that he made him repeat it by way of showing how serious the matter was, which would be more effective in teaching him. But Khallad said to him, swearing by Allah: By the One Who sent you with the truth, I do not know how to pray any better than what you have seen, so teach me how to make my prayer correct. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: When you stand up to pray, say the opening takbir, then recite what you have learned of Qur’an, namely Surat al-Fatihah. According to a report narrated by Ahmad from Rifa‘ah ibn Rafi‘ al-Zuraqi he said: “… then recite the Essence of the Book [i.e., al-Fatihah], then recite whatever you wish…” Thus he instructed him to recite, along with al-Fatihah, whatever he was able to of Qur’an.
He said: “Then bow, then pause and be at ease in bowing.” According to the report of Ahmad mentioned above, “when you bow, place your palms on your knees, extend your back and bow properly…” Then raise your head from bowing until you are standing up straight, then prostrate, by placing the forehead, nose, hands, knees and toes firmly on the ground, then pause and be at ease in prostration. Then raise your head from prostration and sit, and pause and be at ease in sitting. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “And do that throughout your prayer.” So make sure that you always move at a moderate pace, stand up properly, pause and be at ease when bowing and prostrating, and do not rush in your prayer.
This hadith instructs the Muslim to pause and be at ease in the movements of prayer.
It outlines how to teach people in a gentle manner, without being harsh and rough.
It highlights the good attitude of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and his kind treatment of his companions..

759
It was narrated that Abu Qatadah said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to recite in the first two rak‘ahs of Zuhr prayer the Opening of the Book [al-Fatihah] and two surahs, making the recitation in the first rak‘ah longer and in the second rak‘ah shorter, and he would make the people hear a verse sometimes. In ‘Asr he used to recite the Opening of the Book [al-Fatihah] and two surahs, making the recitation in the first rak‘ah longer . And he used to make the recitation in the first rak‘ah of Fajr prayer longer, and in the second rak‘ah shorter..

Commentary : Prayer is the foundation of faith, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) has explained how to pray in word and deed. The Sahabah were keen to follow his teachings in prayer, and transmitted that to those who came after them.
In this hadith, there is a description of one of the characteristics of the Prophet’s prayer, namely his recitation in different prayers. Abu Qatadah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to recite in each of the first two rak‘ahs of Zuhr prayer the Opening of the Book [al-Fatihah] and another surah with it, and he used to make the recitation in the first rak‘ah longer, and make it shorter in the second. Sometimes those who were behind him could hear his recitation, so they would know what he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was reciting, even though it is a prayer in which recitation is done quietly, because he would make them hear a verse sometimes. Thus they knew what he was reciting. Sometimes they (may Allah be pleased with them) could recognize that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was reciting from the movement of his beard, as is mentioned in a report narrated by al-Bukhari from Khabbab ibn al-Aratt (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) would do the same in ‘Asr and Fajr; in the first two rak‘ahs he would recite the Opening of the Book [al-Fatihah] and another surah with it, and he would make the recitation in the first rak‘ah longer, and shorter in the second, because one’s energy is greater in the first rak‘ah, so it is appropriate to make the second rak‘ah shorter, so as to avoid making people feel tired.
With regard to the amount that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited in each prayer, in Fajr and Zuhr prayer he would recite the long surahs of al-Mufassal, and his recitation would be longer in Fajr than in Zuhr. In ‘Isha’ and ‘Asr he would recite the medium-length surahs of al-Mufassal, and in Maghrib he would recite the short surahs. Al-Mufassal is a group of surahs in the Qur’an ending with Surat al-Nas; there is a difference of opinion as to where it begins. It was said that it begins from Surat al-Hujurat, until the end of the Qur’an; or that it begins from al-Jathiyah, or from Muhammad, or from Qaf, or from al-Fath, or from al-Saffat, or from al-Saff, and there are other views. It is called Mufassal because there are many breaks (fasl) between the surahs, each of which is marked by the Basmalah. And it was said that this is because its surahs have fewer verses, or fewer abrogated verses, and there are other views.
This hadith proves that the first rak‘ah of every prayer should be longer than the second..

761
It was narrated that Abu Ma‘mar said: I said to Khabbab ibn al-Aratt: Did the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recite Qur’an in Zuhr and ‘Asr? He said: Yes. I said: How did you know that he was reciting? He said: By the movement of his beard..

Commentary : Prayer is the foundation of faith, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) has explained how to pray in word and deed. The Sahabah were keen to follow his teachings in prayer, and transmitted that to those who came after them.
In this hadith, Khabbab ibn al-Aratt (may Allah be pleased with him) is asked whether the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited al-Fatihah and another surah in Zuhr and ‘Asr as he did in Maghrib, ‘Isha’ and Fajr, or did he not to recite in those two prayers? Perhaps the reason for this question was that they thought that there was no recitation because the recitation is not done out loud. Khabbab (may Allah be pleased with him) answered: Yes, he used to recite in Zuhr and ‘Asr. They asked him: How did you know that he was reciting, even though the recitation is done quietly? He replied: By the movement of his beard. In other words, we could tell that he was reciting from the movement of his beard whilst he was standing in prayer.
With regard to the amount that he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to recite, in Sahih al-Bukhari it is narrated from Abu Qatadah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to make the recitation longer in the first rak‘ah and shorter in the second. According to a report narrated by Muslim from Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to recite in each of the first two rak‘ahs of Zuhr prayer around thirty verses, and in the last two around fifteen verses, or he said: half of that. In ‘Asr, in each of the first two rak‘ahs he would recite around fifteen verses, and in the last two [he would recite] half of that.
This hadith indicates that it is permissible to lift one’s gaze and look at the imam, and for the one who is praying behind an imam to look at his imam whilst praying, and pay attention to the imam’s movements when he moves down and up again.
It also indicates that recitation is to be done quietly in Zuhr and ‘Asr..

763
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: Umm al-Fadl heard him when he was reciting {By those [winds] sent forth in gusts} [al-Mursalat 77:1]. She said: O my son, by Allah you have reminded me with your recitation of this surah that it was the last thing that I heard from the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) when he recited it in Maghrib. .

Commentary : The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to make the recitation longer in some prayers and shorter in others, taking into consideration people’s situations and the time of day. This was narrated in the hadiths which explain what he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did in each prayer.
This hadith describes what he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did when he recited in Maghrib prayer. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) recited Surat al-Mursalat, and his mother Umm al-Fadl – whose name was Lubabah bint al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him) – heard him and said to him: O my son, you reminded me, with your recitation of Surat al-Mursalat, that it was the last surah I heard from the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), when he recited it in Maghrib prayer. At-Tirmidhi narrated, with his isnaad from Umm al-Fadl (may Allah be pleased with her), that she said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) came out to us, with a band of cloth tied around his head because of sickness, and prayed Maghrib, and he recited al-Mursalat. And he never prayed it again after that until he met Allah (may He be glorified and exalted).
The Sunnah in Maghrib prayer is to make the recitation short. There are many reports about that which indicate that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did not make the recitation lengthy in Maghrib; he only made it lengthy sometimes, as Umm al-Fadl (may Allah be pleased with her) mentions in this hadith.
It was also narrated that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited Surat al-A‘raf in Maghrib, as it says in a hadith narrated by al-Bukhari from Zayd ibn Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him); he also recited Surat al-Tur [in Maghrib], as it says in a hadith also narrated by al-Bukhari, from Jubayr ibn Mut‘im (may Allah be pleased with him). All of this indicates that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) would sometimes vary the length of his standing [in prayer] according to circumstances.
The hadith under discussion here indicates that his standing and reciting for a long time is something that happened sometimes.
This hadith describes what the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did sometimes with regard to recitation in Maghrib prayer. .

764
It was narrated that Marwan ibn al-Hakam said: Zayd ibn Thabit said to me: Why do you recite short surahs in Maghrib when I heard the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) reciting the longer of the two long surahs?.

Commentary : May Allah be pleased with the companions of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), for they were very keen to find out about the sunnah of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and to enjoin others to adhere to it and forbid them to go against it.
This hadith tells us that the Sahabi Zayd ibn Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him)  said to Marwan ibn al-Hakam one day, rebuking him: Why do you recite short surahs in Maghrib – referring to the short surahs of al-Mufassal, from the beginning of Surat al-Bayyinah to the end of the Qur’an – when I heard the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) reciting the longer of the two long surahs? What is meant by the two long surahs is al-A‘raf and al-An‘am; the longer of the two is al-A‘raf, so it is as if what he meant here was Surat al-A‘raf.
It was narrated that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited Surat al-Mursalat in Maghrib, as it says in the hadith narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari from Umm al-Fadl Lubabah bint al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with her); he also recited Surat al-Tur [in Maghrib], as it says in a hadith also narrated by al-Bukhari, from Jubayr ibn Mut‘im (may Allah be pleased with him). All of this indicates that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) would sometimes vary the length of his standing [in prayer] according to circumstances. The hadith under discussion here indicates that this happened sometimes, although in most cases his practice was not to make the recitation in Maghrib lengthy.
This hadith highlights the practice of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) with regard to recitation in Maghrib prayer..

765
It was narrated that Jubayr ibn Mut‘im said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) reciting al-Tur in Maghrib..

Commentary : The Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with him) were the keenest of people to follow in the footsteps of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in all of his affairs, and especially in prayer. In this hadith, we see one aspect of the practice of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in Maghrib prayer, as Jubayr ibn Mut‘im (may Allah be pleased with him) tells us that he heard the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) reciting Surat al-Tur after al-Fatihah in Maghrib prayer. It may be that he recited the entire surah, or that he recited part of it. It is proven from him (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that he recited Surat al-Mursalat in Maghrib prayer, as was narrated in al-Sahihayn from Umm al-Fadl bint al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with her). He also recited Surat al-A‘raf [in Maghrib prayer], as is mentioned in a hadith narrated by al-Bukhari from Zayd ibn Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him). He also recited {Qul yaa ayyuha’l-kafirun (Say, O disbelievers…)} [al-Kafirun] and { Qul Huwa Allahu ahad (Say,He is Allah , [who is] One…)}  [al-Ikhlas], as was narrated by Ibn Majah from Ibn ‘Umar; and he recited {Wa’t-tini wa’z-zaytun (By the fig and the olive)} [al-Tin], as is mentioned in the hadith narrated by Ahmad from al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (may Allah be pleased with him). All of this indicates that  the length of time for which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him stood [in Maghrib prayer] varied from time to time..

766
It was narrated that Abu Rafi‘ said: I prayed al-‘atamah [i.e., ‘Isha’] with Abu Hurayrah, and he recited {Idha as-sama’ unshaqqat (When the sky has split [open])} [al-Inshiqaq], and prostrated [during his recitation]. I asked him about that, and he said: I prostrated behind Abu’l-Qasim (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and I will continue to prostrate when reciting [this surah] until I meet him again..

Commentary : The Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) were the keenest of people to emulate the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and follow in his footsteps, and to adhere to this until they died.
In this hadith, Abu Rafi‘ (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that he prayed al-‘atamah, which is ‘Isha’, with Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him). They sometimes called ‘Isha’ al-‘atamah (lit. darkness) because it is prayed at night, when it has become dark.
It is narrated that it is not allowed to call ‘Isha’ al-‘atamah, as in the hadith narrated by Muslim from ‘Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him),  according to which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Do not be influenced by the Bedouin with regard to the name of your prayer; indeed it is ‘Isha’, but they delay milking the camels until it is very dark [yu‘timuna].” Perhaps Abu Rafi‘ (may Allah be pleased with him) did not see anything in the words of the hadith to indicate that it was haram, because the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) called it ‘atamah  in another hadith, as we see in the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) in al-Sahihayn. And it was said concerning this that it was because they called Maghrib prayer ‘Isha’, and ‘Isha’ prayer al-‘atamah, according to the time, and that required the explanation to be discussed using their own terminology sometimes. And it was said that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used these words in order to explain that there is no blame on a person for using them, but that is contrary to what is more appropriate.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) recited, {Idha as-sama’ unshaqqat  (When the sky has split [open] …)} [al-Inshiqaq], and prostrated at the verse in which Allah (may He be exalted) says, {And when the Qur'an is recited to them, they do not prostrate [to Allah]} [al-Inshiqaq 84:21]. Abu Rafi‘ asked him about that, and he replied that he had done this prostration behind Abu’l-Qasim – which is the kunyah of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) – and he would continue to do it for the rest of his life, until he met him (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) again.
This verse affirms that there is a prostration of recitation (sajdat al-tilawah) in Surat al-Inshiqaq.
It indicates that it is permissible for one who is praying to do the prostration of recitation.
It highlights the virtue of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) and his keenness to be steadfast in adhering to the teachings of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)..

767
It was narrated from al-Bara’ that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was on a journey, and in one of the rak‘ahs of ‘Isha’ prayer, he recited {Wa’t-tini wa’z-zaytun (By the fig and the olive)} [al-Tin]..

Commentary : Islamic teachings came to make things easy and not cause hardship to people with regard to acts of worship and other matters, especially when travelling, which usually involves more hardship and difficulty. Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was on a journey, and he led them in praying ‘Isha’ prayer in a shortened form, with two rak‘ahs, in one of which he recited the surah {Wa’t-tini wa’z-zaytun  (By the fig and the olive)} [al-Tin] after reciting al-Fatihah; according to a report narrated by al-Nasa’i, he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited it in the first rak‘ah.
Making the standing in prayer brief was the practice of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) when praying ‘Isha’, both when travelling and not travelling, out of compassion towards the people. He told Mu‘adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) not to make the prayer lengthy, as was narrated in al-Sahihayn from Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him), when he led the people in prayer and recited Surat al-Baqarah. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)  said to him: “O Mu‘adh, are you causing undue hardship to the people?” – he said it three times – “Recite {Wa’sh-shamsi wa duhaha (By the sun and its brightness)} [al-Shams] or {Sabbih isma Rabbik al-A‘la (Exalt the name of your Lord, the Most High)} [al-A‘la], and similar surahs. Al-Tirmidhi narrated from Buraydah ibn al-Husayb (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to recite in ‘Isha’ prayer {Wa’sh-shamsi wa duhaha  (By the sun and its brightness)} [al-Shams] and similar surahs.
This hadith highlights the keenness of the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) to transmit reports of the actions and words of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and all his affairs, to his ummah for the purpose of spreading knowledge and encouraging people to act in accordance with his Sunnah..

772
It was narrated from ‘Ata’ that he heard Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) say: In every prayer there is recitation. Whatever the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) made us hear, we make you hear, and whatever he hid from us, we hide from you. If you do not recite more than the Essence of the Qur’an [al-Fatihah], that is sufficient, but if you recite more, that is better..

Commentary : Conveying Islam and teaching it to people is obligatory for every Muslim, commensurate with his knowledge and ability to do that.
In this hadith, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) gives the best example of that and does his duty of conveying Islam and teaching knowledge to the people, and not withholding or concealing knowledge. Here he is speaking about prayer, and he tells us that the worshipper must recite Qur’an in every prayer, but in some of the prayers he must recite out loud, when reciting al-Fatihah and whatever else he can of Qur’an. In other prayers, he must recite quietly, in a low voice. All of that is to be based on the actions of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), who recited out loud in Fajr prayer, and in the first two rak‘ahs of Maghrib and ‘Isha’, and he used to recite quietly in all other cases. In the supererogatory night prayers [qiyam al-layl] he sometimes recited quietly and sometimes recited out loud, as is mentioned in a hadith narrated by al-Tirmidhi from ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her). The Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) followed him (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in that, and those who came after them followed them. Thus they recited out loud in the parts of the prayer in which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited out loud, and they recited quietly in the parts in which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited quietly.
Then Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) explained that what is required in terms of recitation is to recite the Essence of the Qur’an, which is al-Fatihah. It is called the Essence of the Qur’an because it includes all the meanings of the Qur’an, and because it is the first surah of the Qur’an. So whoever recites al-Fatihah has done what is required of him, and his prayer is valid, but whoever adds to that recitation whatever he can of Qur’an, that is regarded as supererogatory and the one who does this will be rewarded for it.
This hadith highlights the importance of following the Sunnah of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and avoiding innovation, and being keen to emulate the practice of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).
It indicates that it is obligatory to recite al-Fatihah in every prayer, whether the prayer is one in which recitation is to be done out loud or one in which it is to be done quietly..

773
It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) set out with a group of his companions, heading towards the market of ‘Ukaz, when the devils had been prevented from hearing news of heaven, and the burning flames had been sent against them. So the devils went back to their people, who said: What is the matter with you? They said: We have been prevented from hearing news of heaven, and burning flames have been sent against us. They said: You have only been prevented from hearing news of heaven because of something new that has happened, so travel throughout the earth, east and west, and find out what has happened to prevent you from hearing news of heaven. Those who headed towards Tihamah went to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) when he was in Nakhlah, on his way to the market of Ukaz, and he was leading his companions in praying Fajr. When they heard the Qur’an, they listened to it, then they said: This, by Allah, is what has prevented us from hearing the news of heaven. When they returned to their people, they said: O our people, {Indeed, we have heard an amazing Qur'an. It guides to the right course, and we have believed in it. And we will never associate with our Lord anyone} [al-Jinn 72:1-2]. Then Allah revealed to his Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): {Say, [O Muhammad], It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened …} [al-Jinn 72:1]. Thus what the jinn had said was revealed to him..

Commentary : The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was sent to the two races, humankind and the jinn, and with him Allah brought to an end the series of messages, so no one is to be believed with regard to matters of the unseen, or anything transmitted from Allah (may He be glorified and exalted), of which the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did not speak.
In this hadith, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the devils used to eavesdrop on heaven before the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was sent. When Allah sent His Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), He sent burning flames against the devils; the word shihab (translated here as burning flame) refers to a firebrand that is very bright, as if it is a meteor speeding through the sky. After that, the devils were no longer able to do what they had done before of sitting and eavesdropping on news from heaven. This is what Allah tells us about in the verses in which He says: {And we have sought [to reach] the heaven but found it filled with powerful guards and burning flames. And we used to sit therein in positions for hearing, but whoever listens now will find a burning flame lying in wait for him} [al-Jinn 72:8-9].
When the devils saw what had happened, and realized that they had been prevented from listening to news from heaven, they said: This must be because of something new that has happened. Their people among the jinn – and it may be that what is meant is their leaders and rulers – said to them: Go and look everywhere, and find out what has happened that has prevented you from listening to news from heaven as you used to do. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was with a group of his companions in the market of ‘Ukaz, which was in some part of Makkah; it was a market at which the Arabs would gather, and they would do trade with one another and recite their poetry, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) would go out to them and call them to Allah (may He be glorified and exalted). When the jinn set out towards Tihamah, which is a place in Makkah, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was in Nakhlah, which is another place in Makkah, and he was leading his companions in Fajr prayer. When the jinn heard the Qur’an, they realized that this was the reason why they were being pelted with burning flames and being prevented from spying on the news of heaven. So they went back to their people and told them about what they had heard of the Qur’an, and Surat al-Jinn was revealed to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), telling him about what had happened and what the jinn had said to one another.
This hadith confirms the existence of the jinn, and that they have no knowledge of the unseen or of anything of the news of heaven except what the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) has told of.
It indicates that recitation is to be done out loud in Fajr prayer.
It indicates that the one who wishes to call people to Allah should go to people in the places where they gather in order to call them and teach them about their religion..

774
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited out loud where he was commanded to recite out loud, and recited quietly where he was commanded to recite quietly. {And never is your Lord forgetful} [Maryam 19:64]. {There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern} [al-Ahzaab 33:21].

Commentary : The way to learn about the teachings of Islam is from the Holy Qur’an and the soundly-narrated Prophetic Sunnah. In the Qur’an, Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) explained what He wanted to explain, and left other issues to be explained by his Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in his Sunnah. The prayer is one of matters that are explained in detail in the Prophet’s Sunnah. This principle is what ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) understood and confirmed in this hadith. He stated that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited out loud in prayer where Allah (may He be exalted) had commanded him to recite out loud, and he recited quietly where Allah (may He be exalted) had commanded him to recite quietly. This was not because Allah (may He be exalted) had forgotten about that and not mentioned it in the Qur’an – exalted be He far above such a thing. Rather it was because He (may He be exalted) willed that the details of the prayer should be explained by His Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), whom we are enjoined to follow with regard to what he recited out loud and what he recited quietly, because he is the best pattern or example, whom Allah has commanded us to follow and not differ from his Sunnah. There are many reports which state that recitation should be done out loud in Fajr prayer and the first two rak‘ahs of Maghrib and ‘Isha’, and it should be done silently in Zuhr and ‘Asr, the last rak‘ah of Maghrib and the third and fourth rak‘ahs of ‘Isha’. Ibn ‘Abbas described how the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited quietly, and it cannot be said that he did not recite at all, because he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was still leading the prayer, so he must have been reciting, whether he did so quietly or out loud.  .

1316
Bakr ibn ‘Abdullāh al-Muzani reported: While I was sitting with Ibn' Abbās near the Ka'bah, a Bedouin came to him and said: "What is the matter that I see that the children of your uncle supply honey and milk, whereas you supply Nabīdh (water sweetened with dates or raisins)?! Is it due to your poverty or due to your stinginess?" Thereupon, Ibn' Abbās said: "Praise be to Allah, we are neither poor nor stingy. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came riding his mount, and Usāmah was sitting behind him. He asked for water, and we gave him a cup of Nabīdh, and he drank and gave the remaining amount to Usāmah, and he said: 'You have done something good and pleasant. Continue doing it.' So, we do not want to change what the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded.".

Commentary : A true Muslim follows in the footsteps of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and adheres to his guidance, especially concerning what is authentically reported from him. This was the attitude of the Prophet's Companions, who were keen to follow the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in all his actions and statements.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Bakr ibn ‘Abdullāh al-Muzani informs that while he was sitting with Ibn ‘Abbās near the Ka‘bah, a Bedouin - a dweller of the desert - came to him and said: "What is the matter that I see that the children of your uncle", meaning the rest of the Quraysh tribe apart from the children of Al-‘Abbās. "supply honey and milk, whereas you supply Nabīdh?!" The Bedouin was referring to supplying water to the pilgrims. The children of Al-‘Abbās would provide the people with Nabīdh, dates or raisins soaked in water till their taste became sweet. It is not intoxicating. Water in Makkah was subject to change, and so they used to sweeten it by that. He asked him: Is your abandonment of the supply of honey and milk due to poverty or stinginess? Thereupon, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Praise be to Allah", and he told him that they were neither poor nor stingy; instead, they did so in adherence to the teaching they had received from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). This is because the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had come to Makkah while riding his mount, i.e., his she-camel, and Usāmah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) was riding behind him. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked for water, and they brought him a vessel containing Nabīdh, and he drank and made Usāmah drink the amount left over. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to them: "You have done something good and pleasant," i.e., you have done a good and pleasant act by sweetening water with Nabīd made of dates or raisins. This indicates that this drink is not prohibited; otherwise, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would not have drunk it, and he would have forbidden it.
Then, clarifying the reason for that, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "So, we do not want to change what the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded" about sweetening water with Nabīdh, when he said: "Continue doing it," i.e., the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade them to continue supplying Nabīdh to the people, and they complied with his command. The meaning: We do not change the supply of Nabīdh into the supply of something else like honey and milk, even if this is deemed more appropriate to people, but we will not change something which the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) liked and then commanded us to do. Indeed, this is more appropriate and befitting for us.
The Hadīth shows how the Companions followed the Prophet's guidance and were keen to adhere to his Sunnah.
It points out the merit of supplying drinks to the pilgrims.
It indicates that it is legitimate to drink non-intoxicating Nabīdh.
It includes praise for those who supply drinks to the pilgrims and for every doer of good.
The Hadīth demonstrates that wealthy people may consume the water provided in the mosques or roads, for it is supplied for everyone, not the poor alone..

1318
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh reported: We joined the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in Hajj and ‘Umrah, and seven persons shared in a Badanah. A man asked Jābir, "Can a Jazūr be shared as a Badanah is shared? He said: "They are but from among the Badanahs." Jābir was present at the Hudaybiyah, and he said: We slaughtered seventy Badanahs during that day, and every seven persons shared in a Badanah. [In a version]: He commanded us that when we ended our Ihrām, we should present the Hady, and a group of us should share in one Hady. This was when he enjoined them to exit their Ihrām for Hajj..

Commentary : The Hady and Nahr (animal slaughter) are among the rituals of Hajj, and they represent a means of drawing closer to Allah and feeding the poor and needy. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified its rulings and that it is valid for seven persons to share in one Badanah, which is sufficient for them.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that when they were with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in Hajj and ‘Umrah, every seven persons shared in a Badanah. Badanah: It particularly belongs to camels. And it is said: It refers to camels and cows. In another version by Muslim: "in camels and cows, and every seven persons of us shared in a Badanah." This means that if the Hady is a camel or a cow, it is valid and sufficient to be shared by seven persons.
A man said to Jābir: "Can a Badanah be shared as a Jazūr is shared? Jazūr: young camels. And it is said: a Badanah is offered to the House before assuming Ihrām for the rituals, whereas Jazūr is the camels bought and offered to the House after Ihrām. Hence, the man asked about it and whether it is valid to also share in it? Jābir said to him: "They are, but from the Badanahs", i.e., when Jazūr is bought for the rituals, it becomes like Badanah.
Then, Abu az-Zubayr - who narrated the Hadīth from Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) - informed that Jābir attended the Hudaybiyah, the incident when the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the Muslims were prevented from entering Makkah to perform 'Umrah. So, he ended his Ihrām and slaughtered the Hady at the place where he was stopped from proceeding. This happened in the sixth Hijri year. Hudaybiyah is the name of a well located near Makkah, almost 20km away on the old Jeddah Road.
Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that they slaughtered seventy Badanahs on that day, and every seven persons shared in one Badanah. And in a version: "He", i.e., the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), "commanded us that when we ended our Ihrām, we should present the Hady and a group of us should share in one Hady", i.e., a group up to seven persons would share in one Badanah. "This is when he enjoined them to exit their Ihrām for Hajj"; by Hajj, he meant the Farewell Hajj; and by ‘Umrah, he meant the ‘Umrah of Hudaybiyah, as indicated by his words: "Jābir was present at the Hudaybiyah."
The Hadīth indicates that it is legitimate for seven persons to share in one Badanah to offer it for Hajj..

1318
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh reported: In the year of Al-Hudaybiyah, we slaughtered with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) a camel on behalf of seven persons and a cow on behalf of seven persons..

Commentary : Hady (sacrificial animals) and Nahr (slaughtering) are from the rituals of Hajj, and they represent a means of drawing closer to Allah and of feeding the poor and the needy. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified its rulings pointing out that it is valid for seven persons to share one camel or one cow and this will be sufficient for them.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reports that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) slaughtered their sacrificial animals with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) on the year of Al-Hudaybiyah, the 6th year after Hijrah. Al-Hudaybiyah is the name of a well located near Makkah, almost 20 km away on the old Jeddah Road. The year of Al-Hudaybiyah is the year when the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) set out to perform ‘Umrah. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) assumed Ihrām (ritual state of consecration) for ‘Umrah from Dhul-Hulayfah and brought the Hady with him. However, when the polytheists prevented him from reaching the House, they slaughtered the Hady. Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Badanah was shared by seven and the cow was shared by seven, and this was sufficient for them. "Badanah" here means a camel.
The Hadīth indicates the permissibility of sharing the Hady..

1324
Abu az-Zubayr reported: I asked Jābir about riding the Hady (sacrificial animal) and he said: I heard the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Ride it gently if you have nothing else until you find a mount.".

Commentary : Allah Almighty sent His Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) as a mercy to the worlds and made obedience to his commands and avoidance of his prohibitions the cause of salvation in this world and the Hereafter. His way was to make things easy for people in their worship and life.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Abu az-Zubayr Muhammad ibn Muslim reports that Jābir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) was asked about riding the Hady, which refers to whatever is offered as a gift to the House from the livestock as a means of drawing closer to Allah. Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him), thus, mentioned the Prophet's statement: "Ride it gently," i.e., in a way that does not cause it harm, "if you have nothing else" and are forced to ride it "until you find a mount," i.e., another animal to ride other than Hady.
In the two Sahīhs, the Hadīth of Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reads: "The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw a man driving a sacrificial camel, so he said to him: Ride it. The man said: O Messenger of Allah, it is a sacrificial camel. He said on the third or fourth time: "Ride it, woe to you," or a similar statement! So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered him to ride it to take a rest after getting tired from walking..

1325
Mūsa ibn Salamah al-Hudhali reported: Sinān ibn Salamah and I set out to perform 'Umrah. Sinān proceeded while having a sacrificial camel with him, which he was driving. The camel stopped in the way, being completely exhausted, and this state of it made him helpless - if it stopped proceeding further, how would he be able to take it along with him? He said: "When I come to the town, I will surely ask about that." I moved on in the morning, and as we encamped at Al-Bat'hā', he said: "Let us go to Ibn' Abbās to talk to him." He said: He mentioned to him the affair of his sacrificial camel, and he said: "You have come upon the well-informed one. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent sixteen sacrificial camels with a man, and he put him in charge of them. He proceeded and then returned and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what should I do with those of them which become too exhausted to move?' He said: 'Slaughter them and then dye their hooves in their blood, and then put in on the sides of their humps. Neither you nor anyone of those in your company may eat from it.'" [In a version]: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent eighteen sacrificial camels with a man... and the rest of the Hadīth is the same. He did not mention the first part of the Hadīth..

Commentary : Allah Almighty sent His Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) as a mercy to the worlds and made obedience to his commands and avoidance of his prohibitions the cause of salvation in this world and the Hereafter. His way was to make things easy for people in their worship and life, especially in those matters that involve hardship and harm.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Mūsa ibn Salamah al-Hudhali informs that he set out on a journey along with his brother Sinān ibn Salamah to perform ‘Umrah, Sinān had a sacrificial camel which he was driving. Badanah in Arabic and the plural is Budn, refers to a camel or cow brought and presented to the Sacred House of Allah. "The camel stopped in the way, being completely exhausted," i.e., it fell due to exhaustion before reaching where it would be slaughtered. So, Sinān was confused and did not know what to do about it. "If it stopped proceeding further", i.e., if it became tired and exhausted, what should he do with it? So, he swore, saying: "When I come to the town", meaning Makkah, "I will surely ask about that", which means: I will pose a thorough question about that. When he reached Makkah - in the forenoon - he alighted at Al-Bat'hā', a place containing small pebbles. It was initially the channel of the valley of Makkah, and it lies south of the Sacred Precincts, opposite Mount Thawr. It is also called Al-Abtah. He asked Mūsa ibn Salamah to go along with him to ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him). When they went to Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him), Sinān told him about the sacrificial camel and what happened to it. Thereupon, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "You have come upon the well-informed one", i.e., you have come across a person well aware of the truth of what you have asked about and knowledgeable of all its aspects, apparent and hidden. Then, Ibn ‘Abbās said to him: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent" from Madīnah to Makkah "sixteen sacrificial camels with a man, and he put him in charge of them." He said: "He proceeded," i.e., he departed from the Prophet's gathering. "and then returned" and asked the Messenger of Allah, saying: "What should I do with those who become too exhausted to move?" i.e., they got exhausted and could not move on and reach the place of slaughter. In response, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Slaughter them", i.e., slaughter them in the place where you would leave them, and then dye the hooves hung around their necks in their blood, and then put the blood "on the sides of their humps" so that they could be recognized by anyone passing them by after that and known to be Hady that have been spoiled, and thus he could eat from them freely and would not think them to be dead animals. This is because the routes people took on their journeys were well-known to everyone. Also, it was a common habit for the dwellers of the desert - the Bedouins - and others to follow the positions of the pilgrims to pick up whatever they left behind in the places of their rest.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "Neither you nor anyone of those in your company may eat from it", i.e., your companions who travel with you. This is intended to block the means to wrong action, lest some people may slaughter the Hady or deem them defective before the right time.
The Hadīth indicates that a person may send presents to Makkah or appoint someone to do so on his behalf in case he does not go by himself..

1326
Dhu’ayb Abi Qabīsah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to send the sacrificial camels under his charge and say: If any of these is completely exhausted and you fear it may die, then slaughter it and dip its shoe in its blood, then strike its side therewith; however, neither you nor anyone of your companions should eat it..

Commentary : Hady is the name given to what is offered as a gift and slaughtered at the Haram (sanctuary) from the camels, cows, sheep, and goats. In this Hadīth, Abu Qabīsah Dhu’ayb ibn Halhalah al-Khuzā‘i narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to send the Budn, which refers to the livestock gifted to Allah's Sacred House, with him and then say to him: "If any of these is completely exhausted," i.e., afflicted with a disease or overcome by exhaustion that is likely to cause its death before reaching the place where it should be slaughtered, "then slaughter it" on the spot, "And dip its shoe" that is tied in its blood, "then strike" with this shoe stained with blood on its side, i.e., put the two sandals on the side of the camel's hump as a known sign to be recognized by whoever passes by it. Thus, whoever comes after them will look at it and realize that it is a damaged Hady and that it is permissible to eat from it without thinking it to be a dead animal. This is because the routes that people took in their travels were known to others as well, besides the fact that it was a regular habit of the desert dwellers from among the Bedouins and others to follow the traces of the pilgrims' lodgings to pick whatever they left behind therein. "But neither you nor any of your companions should eat it," i.e., he should not eat from it whether he is poor or rich, which entails blocking the means to what is unlawful lest some people should slaughter the Hady or make it defective prior to its due time.
The Hadīth encourages the act of sending Hadys to Makkah and appointing a proxy in case one does not go there himself..

1328
Tāwūs reported: I was in the company of Ibn' Abbās when Zayd ibn Thābit said: "Do you give Fatwa that a menstruating woman may depart without the last thing she does being Tawāf around the House?" Ibn' Abbās said, "If not, then ask the Ansāri woman so-and-so as to whether the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded her to do that." He said: Then, Zayd ibn Thābit returned to Ibn' Abbās, laughing as he said: "I only found that you spoke the truth.".

Commentary : Allah Almighty says: {Allah wants ease for you and does not want hardship for you.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 185] Allah Almighty also says: {and He has not imposed upon you any hardship in religion.} [Surat al-Hajj: 78] This clearly manifests the facilitation of things for people and the removal of hardship from them during the rituals of Hajj.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Tāwūs ibn Kaysān informs that he was with the Companion ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) when Zayd ibn Thābit (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: You issued a Fatwa that a menstruating woman may leave Makkah without performing the Farewell Tawāf! Ibn ‘Abbās replied to him, saying: "If not" i.e., if you do not accept my view, then leave it and go ask the Ansāri woman so-and-so - this is ’Umm Sulaym bint Milhān (may Allah be pleased with her) - as to whether the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) enjoined her to do that. So, Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) went and asked her, and she agreed with the view of Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him). It is narrated in the Two Sahīh Collections that ‘Ā’ishah, the Prophet's wife, reported that Safiyyah bint Huyay, the Prophet's wife, got her menses during the Farewell Hajj. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Will she delay us?!" I said: "O Messenger of Allah, she has performed the Ifādah Tawāf around the House." Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then, let her depart."
When Zayd ibn Thābit (may Allah be pleased with him) knew the right thing, he went back to Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him), laughing, as he found his view to be correct. Then, he said: "I only found that you spoke the truth." So, Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) agreed with the view adopted by Ibn' Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him). This is what we are required to do when a dispute arises over something; we should refer to the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and when a sincere person finds proof that disproves his own opinion, he complies with it and scraps stubbornness.
The Hadīth shows the politeness of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), their righteousness, their keenness to follow the Sunnah, and their readiness to go back to what is right when it becomes manifest.
It indicates that if a woman gets her menses, she can depart and leave the Farewell Tawāf.
It also demonstrates that some rulings may be unknown to some scholars..

1331
Ibn ‘Abbās reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered the Ka‘bah while there were six pillars in it. He stood near a pillar and supplicated, and he did not pray..

Commentary : The Conquest of Makkah took place in the eighth Hijri year. It was a blessed victory for the Muslims. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered it, he did so in modesty and humility toward Allah Almighty, Who bestowed this victory upon him.
In this Hadīth, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered the Ka'bah during the day of the Conquest of Makkah, and "there were six pillars" in it, i.e., six columns, and he stood near a pillar and supplicated while standing and did not pray therein. However, the opposite of that is established by a Hadīth in the Two Sahīh Collections. ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered the Ka'bah with Usāmah ibn Zayd, Bilāl, and 'Uthmān ibn Talhah al-Hajabi, and he locked it behind him and remained inside. I asked Bilāl when he came out: What did the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) do? He said: "He took up a position with one pillar on his left, one pillar on his right, and three pillars behind him - the House had six pillars at the time - and then he prayed. They are reconciled by giving precedence to the Hadīth reported by 'Abdullāh ibn' Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), as Bilāl (may Allah be pleased with him) was with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) inside the Ka'bah; or that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered the Ka'bah twice; he prayed at one time and did not pray at the other..

1333
‘Atā’ reported: When the House (the Ka‘bah) was burned during the time of Yazīd ibn Mu‘āwiyah as the people of the Levant invaded it, and what happened to it happened, Ibn az-Zubayr left it until the people came to the season, seeking to encourage - or incite - them against the people of the Levant. When the people departed, he said: "O people, advise me regarding the Ka'bah. Should I demolish it and then rebuild it or repair its damaged part?" Ibn ‘Abbās said: "An opinion has occurred to me concerning it; that you repair the damaged part of it and leave a House upon which the people embraced Islam and stones upon which the people embraced Islam and upon which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was sent." In reply, Ibn az-Zubayr said: "If the house of one of you was burned, he would not be pleased until he renewed it. So, what about the House of your Lord? I will make Istikhārah (consult my Lord) for three and then determine my affair." When the three were over, he decided to demolish it. The people kept away from him, fearing that something from heaven might descend upon the first one to climb it. Then, a man climbed and threw down some stones from it. When the people saw that nothing harmed him, they went one after another and demolished it to the ground. Ibn Az-Zubayr erected pillars and hung curtains on them until its structure rose up. Ibn az-Zubayr also said: I heard ‘Ā’ishah say: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Were it not for the fact that the people have recently left Kufr (disbelief) and that I do not have enough funds to enable me to build it, I would incorporate five cubits from the Hijr into it and make for it a door through which people enter and a door through which they exit." He said: "Today, I have the funds, and I do not fear people." He said: "He added to it five cubits from the Hijr till there appeared a foundation the people could see it. He built the structure upon it. The length of the Ka‘bah was 18 cubits, and when he added to it, he regarded it as short. So, he increased its length by ten cubits and made two doors for it: one for entrance and the other for exit. When Ibn az-Zubayr was killed, Al-Hajjāj sent a message to ‘Abdul-Malik ibn Marwān informing him about that and telling him that Ibn az-Zubayr had placed the structure upon a foundation that was seen by the upright people in Makkah. In reply, ‘Abdul-Malik sent a message to him saying: "We do not have anything to do with Ibn Zubayr's smearing. As for the addition he had made to its length, approve it. As for the addition he had made to it from the Hijr, revert it to its structure and wall up the door he had opened." So, he demolished it and restored it to its structure..

Commentary : The Ka‘bah is the Sacred House of Allah and the Qiblah of the Muslims. It is the first house to be appointed for humankind. Abraham and Ishmael (Ismā‘īl) (peace be upon both of them) had constructed it at the command of Allah Almighty, and it was demolished and built more than once.
In this Hadīth, ‘Atā’ ibn Abu Rabāh relates that when the Sacred House was burned, which happened when Al-Husayn ibn Numayr as-Sakūni surrounded ‘Abdullāh ibn az-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) in Makkah after the incident of Al-Harrah in Madīnah, in 63 A.H., at the command of Yazīd ibn Mu‘āwiyah, the then Caliph of the Levant. Ibn Az-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) was in dispute with him over the caliphate at the time. So, the people of the Levant entered the Sacred House to fight ‘Abdullāh ibn az-Zubayr and the Ka‘bah was burned, and its wall inclined due to the throwing of a catapult, a tool that throws stones. This burning and damage that happened to the Ka‘bah were not intended to occur to it; rather, the intended purpose was to besiege Ibn Az-Zubayr. So, the catapult strikes were targeting him, not the Ka‘bah.
During the siege, there came news about the death of Yazīd ibn Mu‘āwiyah in 64 A.H. Thereupon, the Levant army returned to its land. Then Ibn Az-Zubayr rose and declared himself as the Caliph, and the pledge of allegiance was given to him as the Caliph, and he commanded the obedience of the people of the Hejaz, Egypt, Iraq, and Khurāsān. After the departure of the Levant army, ‘Abdullāh ibn az-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) left the House in its damaged state until people came from every place for the season of Hajj and gathered there. Ibn az-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) wanted to "embolden them", i.e., encourage them to fight the people of the Levant, or "incite them", i.e., stir up rage in their hearts by making them see the burned House, and so they would fight the people of the Levant. When the people turned back to their homeland after the end of Hajj rituals, Ibn az-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) said to the people of Makkah or the notables among them: "O people, advise me regarding the Ka'bah", i.e., give me your opinion: Should I demolish it and then rebuild it anew, or repair its weakened and damaged part? In reply, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "An opinion has occurred to me concerning it", i.e., an opinion has appeared and become clear to me, which is that you repair the weakened and damaged part in it and restore it to its former condition and leave the Ka'bah in the state which the people were familiar with when they embraced Islam. "and stones upon which the people embraced Islam", meaning the stones of the Ka'bah without alteration, and upon which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was sent, and he did not change them. Ibn az-Zubayr said: "If the house of one of you was burned, he would not be pleased," i.e., the owner of the burned house until he renewed it. "So, what about the House of your Lord?!" In other words, the House of Allah Almighty is more worthy of being repaired and renovated. Then, he said to them: "I am going to make Istikhārah (consult my Lord) for three", i.e., I will perform the Istikhārah prayer and seek goodness and help from my Lord for three times or three days, and then I will make up my mind. When the three days were over, he realised that he should demolish and rebuild it, and he was determined to do that. As a result, the people avoided him. They turned away, fearing punishment would descend upon the first person to go above the House to demolish it, like what happened to the Companions of the Elephant. They remained in that situation till a man from them ascended the Ka‘bah and began to pull out the stones. When the people saw no punishment hit him, they moved and headed to the House one after another in constant succession. They demolished it and removed its stones until it was leveled to the ground. "Ibn az-Zubayr erected pillars and hung curtains on them until its structure rose up." The purpose was to make these pillars and curtains a Qiblah for worshippers so that they could identify the location of the Ka'bah through them. These curtains remained till the structure went up and became visible to the people. At that point, he removed them, as the objective was achieved, which was to build the high structure of the Ka'bah.
Then, Ibn az-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned a Hadīth which he heard from his maternal aunt ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), who reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Were it not for the fact that the people have recently left Kufr", i.e., they have recently embraced Islam and departed from Kufr. "and that I do not have enough funds" i.e., I do not possess enough money to enable me to build it, I would incorporate into the House "from the Hijr" - which is the circular structure around the Ka'bah from the side opposite the Black Stone and the Yemeni Corner, and it takes the shape of a semicircle adjacent to the Levantine and Iraqi Corners, and this Hijr is part of the Ka'bah - "five cubits"; In another version by Muslim: "and I added to it six cubits from the Hijr." This is because the Quraysh did not have enough money to construct the Ka‘bah. So, they built it according to their available means and left the remaining part outside and called it Hijr. Therefore, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) wanted to include it in the House. Then the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "and make for it a door through which people enter", which is the eastern door, "and a door through which they exit", which is the western one. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) decided not to demolish the Ka'bah and incorporate the Hijr into it out of fear of possible Fitnah (confusion, strife), so he left it as it was. After narrating the Hadīth, Ibn az-Zubayr said: "Today I have the funds", and I possess money sufficient for this purpose, and I do not fear Fitnah for the people as Imān (faith) is well established in their hearts. So he added to the Sacred House, incorporated into it five cubits from the Hijr, and dug an area in the ground of the Hijr till he reached the foundation of the House, upon which Abraham (peace be upon him) constructed the building, and the people saw and observed it. Ibn Az-Zubayr built the structure upon it. "The length of the Ka'bah was 18 cubits, and when he added to it, he regarded it as short," i.e., he considered it to be short. So, Ibn az-Zubayr increased its length by ten cubits. A cubit is about 69 cm. "and he made for it two doors: one for entrance and the other for exit." So, Ibn Az-Zubayr built the Ka'bah according to the design intended by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
When Ibn az-Zubayr was killed in 73 A.H., and the caliphate was established for Banu Umayyah, Al-Hajjāj ibn Yūsuf ath-Thaqafi sent a message to ‘Abdul-Malik ibn Marwān - the then Caliph of the Levant - informing him "that Ibn az-Zubayr had placed the structure upon a foundation" i.e., upon the foundation of Abraham, which he revealed when the Hijr was dug; "that was seen" i.e., observed "by the upright people", those whose testimony is acceptable, "in Makkah"; so, should he leave it in the way Ibn az-Zubayr built it or demolish it and then rebuild it according to its old design? ‘Abdul-Malik sent a reply to Al-Hajjāj: "We do not have anything to do with Ibn Zubayr's smearing", i.e., we have nothing to do with the blame for the crime Ibn Az-Zubayr perpetrated by demolishing the Ka‘bah. In other words, we are innocent of his crime of demolishing the House. "As for the addition he had made to its length, approve it", i.e., keep it as it is. "As for the addition he had made to it from the Hijr, revert it to its structure," i.e., demolish it and restore it to its former structure, as it was during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). "and seal up the door he had opened"; this is the other door, which Ibn Az-Zubayr added. So, Al-Hajjāj demolished the House and restored it to its former structure.
The Hadīth highlights the significance of seeking the opinion of those with sound judgment and experience.
It mentions the repair of the damaged part of the Sacred House.
It indicates the permissibility of abandoning something recommended and legitimate for fear that people may fail to understand it.
It also indicates that an interest may be abandoned for the sake of being safe from falling into evil.
It shows how the ruler should win the hearts of his subjects and work to protect them.
The Hadīth demonstrates how the Companions were keen to comply with what the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) wanted.
It points out that the Istikhārah prayer should be performed with regard to important matters..

1336
Ibn ‘Abbās reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came across a caravan at Ar-Rawhā’. He said: Who are the people? They replied: The Muslims. Then, they asked: Who are you? He said: The Messenger of Allah. So, a woman lifted up a boy to him and said: Is Hajj counted for this one? He said: Yes, and you will have a reward..

Commentary : Islam has laid down certain conditions for a Muslim to be held accountable for religious duties and obligations. One of these conditions is making Hajj obligatory only upon the adult, sane, and free Muslim who has the ability.
In this Hadīth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reports that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) "came across a caravan," i.e., a traveling group. A caravan specifically refers to the owners of camels. And it is originally used to refer to ten or less than that. "At Ar-Rawhā’", is a village located almost 80 km away from Madīnah, that was on the way back from the Farewell Hajj, as mentioned in the narration of An-Nasā’i. He asked them: "Who are the people?" They answered him saying that they were from the Muslims. Then, they asked him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "Who are you?" He replied: "The Messenger of Allah". Perhaps they did not recognize him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) because they had not seen him before, as they did not emigrate, i.e., they embraced Islam in their countries and did not emigrate before this incident.
On knowing that he was the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), a woman from among them lifted up a little boy - one who had not reached the age of puberty - and she asked: "Is Hajj counted for this one?", i.e., does this little boy obtain the reward of Hajj? The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) answered her, saying: "Yes" he gets the reward of voluntary Hajj, "and you will have a reward," i.e., because of making him avoid what the Muhrim (one in state of ritual consecration) avoids, and doing what the Muhrim does, and teaching him if he is discerning, or the reward of being his deputy in Ihrām (state of ritual consecration), throwing the pebbles, standing, and carrying him during Tawāf (circumambulating the Ka‘bah) and Sa‘y (walking at a brisk pace between Safa and Marwah) if he is undiscerning. His saying: "And you will have a reward" is meant to encourage her.
A boy's Hajj is valid, and he gets a reward for it; however, it does not exempt him from the obligation, and he will have to perform the obligatory Hajj after reaching puberty.
The Hadīth indicates the permissibility of performing Hajj on behalf of the minor in general.
It also makes it clear that the boy is rewarded for his act of obedience and his virtuous deeds are recorded for him.
The Hadīth also affirms the reward of the boy's guardian if he makes him perform Hajj.
It also denotes that whoever does not know something must ask the scholars about the rulings he does not know.
It points out that whoever helps someone offer an act of obedience gets rewarded..

1342
‘Ali al-Azdi reported that Ibn ‘Umar taught them: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mounted his camel to set out on a journey, he would say Takbīr three times and then say: "Subhāna al-ladhi sakhkhara lana hādha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinīn wa inna ila rabbina lamunqalibūn. Allāhumma inna nas’aluka fi safarina hādha al-birra wa at-taqwa wa min al-‘amali ma tarda. Allāhumma hawwin ‘alayna safarana hādha watwi ‘anna bu‘dah. Allāhumma anta as-sāhibu fi as-safar wa al-khalīfatu fi al-ahl. Allāhumma inni a‘ūdhu bika min wa‘thā’ as-safar wa ka’ābat al-manzhar wa sū’ al-munqalab fi al-māli wa al-ahl (Glory be to Him Who has subjected this for us, for we could not have done it by ourselves, and we will surely return to our Lord. O Allah, we ask You on this journey of ours for goodness and piety, and for deeds that are pleasing to You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and make its distance short for us. O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the One in Whose care we leave our family behind. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from this journey's hardships, from the terrible sights, and from a misfortunate return to our property and our family)." On returning, he would say the same and add: "Āyibūn tā’ibūn ‘ābidūn lirabbina hāmidūn (We are returning in safety, turning to our Lord in repentance, worshiping Him, and praising Him).".

Commentary : Traveling involves hardship and fatigue, but Allah Almighty, out of His mercy, has created for His slaves and guided them to make ships that they could ride on the sea; camels, horses, and cars that they could ride on land; and airplanes that they could ride in the air. They carry them to their destinations without any fatigue or hardship. So, when they settle on them, they remember the favor that Allah Almighty has bestowed on them by subjugating and making such mounts and vehicles easy for them to ride.
In this Hadīth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) teaches some of his companions the supplication for traveling. He informed them that when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) rode and settled on his mount - which was the camel, and this includes all types of animals that could be ridden and the modern means of transportation - to set out from Madīnah on some journey, he would remember Allah and say: "Allāhu akbar (Allah is the Greatest)", three times. The Prophet's (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saying Takbīr when riding and settling on the mount was acknowledging the greatness of Allah Almighty and the fact that He is greater than everything. He, thus, proclaimed His greatness to thank Him for that, so Allah would grant him extra bounty from Himself. Then, he would say: "Glory be to Him Who has subjected this for us" and has made it submissive to us, referring to the mount. "For we could not have done it by ourselves," i.e., we could not have been able to subjugate it and use it if Allah Almighty had not subjected it for us. "and we will surely return to our Lord," i.e., surely, we will return and go back to our Lord after death. It is as if the traveler who rides on what Allah has subjected for him remembers the last journey in this world, which is one's journey to Allah Almighty when he dies and people carry him on their shoulders.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would praise Allah and supplicate Him saying: "O Allah, we ask You on this journey of ours for goodness and piety," Birr (goodness): adherence to obedience. Taqwa (piety): refraining from sins; thus, obeying the commands and avoiding the prohibitions. Then, he would ask his Lord to grant him deeds so that He becomes pleased with him. After that, he would ask Allah to make the journey easy for him and make its distance short for him. Following his supplication, he would say: "O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey," i.e., You accompany me on my journey and, thus, You make it easy for me. "And the One in Whose care we leave our family behind," in my absence, so, You surround them with Your care and protection, as Allah Almighty is with man on his journey and the One Who takes care of his family in his absence because Allah Almighty encompasses all things.
Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would seek refuge with Allah from some of what afflicts man during his journey including: "This journey's hardships," i.e., its severity, difficulty, and the fatigue it causes. and "the terrible sights," i.e., the change in the face as if one is sick, and the feeling of defeat as a result of seeing what one likes undergoing something bad, which causes grief and sadness. It was also said: It means seeking refuge with Allah from every sight that results in grief when looking at it. "A misfortunate return," indicates when returning and seeing what displeases him in his family and property. In the Hadīth of ‘Abdullah ibn Sarjis (may Allah be pleased with him) - in Sahīh Muslim and Musnad Ahmad - it was mentioned that he would start with "the family" on returning, as he would say: "And from a misfortunate return to our family and our property" instead of "our property and our family." The Hadīth also states: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sought refuge from "Hawr" after "Kawr", i.e., from scarcity after abundance and from the change in state from obedience to sin. He also sought refuge from the supplication of an oppressed person, i.e., I seek refuge with You from oppression, as it leads the oppressed person to engage in supplication, and there is no barrier between it and Allah, as mentioned in the Two Sahīh Collections.
On returning, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would say these aforementioned words and would add: Āibūn (We are returning), i.e., we are returning from the journey safely. Tāibūn: (We are repenting), i.e., turning to our Lord from sins to obedience. Ābidūn, lirabbina hāmidūn (We are worshiping Him, and praising our Lord,) i.e., praising Allah Almighty with His attributes of perfection and majesty and showing gratitude to Him for His blessings and favors. It means: We are on our way back to our country, homeland, and families, and we are determined to return to Allah in sincere repentance coupled with righteous deeds, including showing gratitude to Allah, worshiping Him on a regular basis, and drawing close to Him by prayer and frequent prostrations.
So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to remember Allah's worship and the fact that he was a slave of Allah Almighty all the time.
The Hadīth urges the act of Allah's remembrance when setting out on a journey and on returning therefrom..

1348
‘Ā’ishah reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There is no day on which Allah sets free more of His slaves from the Fire than the Day of ‘Arafah. He verily draws near, then He boasts about them before the angels saying: 'What do these [people] want?'".

Commentary : Allah has favored some days over others, and these favored days are occasions for Allah's grants and gifts that He offers His slaves, forgiving sins and elevating degrees, and the Day of ‘Arafah is one of these virtuous days.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that saving people from torment and setting them free from the Fire takes place on a larger scale on the Day of ‘Arafah than on any other day. ‘Arafah is a spot located on the way between Makkah and Tā’if. It is almost 22 kilometers away from Makkah, 10 kilometers away from Mina, and 6 kilometers away from Muzdalifah. It is the place where the pilgrims stand on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah supplicating to Allah and asking for His forgiveness. "He" the Almighty verily "draws near" in a manner that befits His majesty and greatness, in compliance with what Allah Almighty has established for Himself, without Tashbīh (drawing comparison) or Tamthīl (likening Him to His creatures). Then, He boasts before the angels about the Muslims standing at ‘Arafah, demonstrating their merit and the excellence of what they do, and praising them before the angels. The word "bahā’" (boast) originally means beauty and grace. So, Allah boasts about them and praises them in the angels' presence. "Saying: What do these [people] want?", i.e., what do these people want by leaving their families and homelands, spending their money, and exhausting their bodies? The answer is omitted, and it is assumed to be: They only sought Allah's forgiveness and pleasure, which indicates that they are granted forgiveness, as Allah does not boast about sinners and wrongdoers except after repenting and being granted forgiveness.
The Hadīth establishes the attribute of drawing near to Allah Almighty in a way that befits His majesty and greatness.
It also establishes the attribute of boasting for Allah Almighty in a way that befits His majesty and greatness..

1356
Jābir reported that he heard the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "It is not lawful for any of you to carry a weapon in Makkah.".

Commentary : Makkah is a sacred city as it has the Sacred House and sacred sites. The Shariah has legislated for its special rulings that affirm such meanings. It has legislated therein means of security that have not been legislated in any other spot on earth.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade carrying weapons in Makkah. Perhaps the reason behind this is to prevent it from being a cause of terrifying a Muslim or doing harm to anyone. Undoubtedly, this enhances the sense of security in a place like Makkah where the Islamic sacred sites are found. The prohibition here is meant when there is no necessity for carrying a weapon. However, if there is a necessity - like fighting the disbelievers and their likes - it is permissible to carry weapons like what happened in the Year of the Conquest when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered Makkah with his armies carrying their weapons. Allah granted him permission to do so to spread His religion and make His word superior. Hence, Allah made this Sanctuary lawful for him for part of the day, from sunrise to ‘Asr prayer. Then, he declared among people that its sanctity had returned to its former state..

1358
Jābir ibn Abdullah al-Ansāri reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered Makkah, Qutaybah said: - [another narration reads]: He entered on the day of the Conquest of Makkah - wearing a black turban without being in Ihrām (state of ritual consecration)..

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to observe the Prophet's states to learn from him, especially during calamities like wars and battles, and reported all this to those who came after them. They described his appearance, his clothes, and all his states.
In this Hadīth, the great Companion, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him and his father), reports that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered Makkah on the day of the Conquest, 8 AH, wearing a black turban on his head. He was not wearing the clothes of Ihrām and did not have the intention to make Ihrām on that day because he did not want to perform the rituals; rather, he wanted to conquer Makkah.
In the two Sahīh Collections, Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered in the year of the Conquest wearing a helmet on his head." It is likely that the helmet was over the turban to protect his honorable head from iron rust, or the turban was over the helmet, or perhaps he was wearing the helmet when first entering, then he took it off and put on the turban later. Thus, each one of them reported what he had seen..

1359
‘Amr ibn Hurayth reported: It is as if I am looking at the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) on the pulpit, wearing a black turban, the two ends of which he has let hang down between his shoulders..

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to observe the Prophet's conditions to learn from him, and they conveyed what they saw to those who came after them and described his appearance, clothes, and all conditions.
In this Hadīth, ‘Amr ibn Hurayth (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that he saw the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in one of his sermons on the pulpit - and this took place at the time of the Conquest of Makkah, as narrated by Al-Humaydi in his Musnad Collection - wearing a black turban on his head and letting the two ends of his turban hang down between his shoulders. The words "two ends" are reported like this, in the plural form, whereas it is narrated by Abu Dāwūd in the singular form 'end', which is more preponderant.
The Hadīth makes mention of wearing a black turban..