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Alarm Clocks or Cocks (Ahadith 931 - 933)


Assalamu`alaykum,
Bismillah.
Volume 2, Book 21, Number 232:
Narrated Masruq:
I asked 'Aisha which deed was most loved by the Prophet. She said, "A deed done continuously." I further asked, "When did he used to get up (in the night for the prayer)." She said, "He used to get up on hearing the crowing of a cock."
  • Most beloved deed by Allah: something that's done continuously. No off days.
  • Prophet (SAW) would sleep after `Ishaa', then get up in the last part (one-third) of the night for Tahajjud. That too, on hearing the cock's crowing.
    That gives us proof for alarm clocks, no? Who knew it was a Sunnah?! :D
    If you've got access to cocks, even better! (y) 

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 233:
Narrated Al-Ashath:
He (the Prophet (p.b.u.h) ) used to get up for the prayer on hearing the crowing of a cock.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 234:
Narrated 'Aisha:
In my house he (Prophet (p.b.u.h) ) never passed the last hours of the night but sleeping.

"Last hours" is not exactly 'hours'. It refers to the "last moments/minutes" of the night. And you'll find this to be true if you go through the Hadith in which Ibn `Abbas narrates his experience of staying the night at Prophet (SAW)'s house.
After praying Tahajjud, Prophet (SAW) would lie down for a while and then get up to offer the Fajr Sunnahs.

What's your night routine?
Wassalam.

How to Answer the Adhaan - II (Hadith No. 735)


Assalamu`alaykum,
Bismillah.

One way to answer the Adhaan is described here. There's another way according to the Sunnah. It's more or less the same as the previous one, just a slight change in the answer..

Volume 2, Book 13, Number 735:
Narrated Abu Umama bin Sahl bin Hunaif:
I heard Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan (repeating the statements of the Adhan) while he was sitting on the pulpit. When the Muadh-dhin pronounced the Adhan saying, "Allahu-Akbar, Allahu Akbar", Muawiya said: "Allah Akbar, Allahu Akbar." And when the Muadh-dhin said, "Ash-hadu an la ilaha illal-lah (I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)", Muawiya said, "And (so do) I". When he said, "Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah" (I testify that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle), Muawiya said, "And (so do) I". When the Adhan was finished, Muawiya said, "O people, when the Muadh-dhin pronounced the Adhan I heard Allah's Apostle on this very pulpit saying what you have just heard me saying".

"And (so do) I" is wa 'ana (وأنا) in Arabic. Cool, eh? ;)
Wassalam.

Adhaan for Jumu`ah Prayer (Ahadith 733 - 734)


Assalamu`alaykum,
Bismillah.

Volume 2, Book 13, Number 733:
Narrated As-Saib bin Yazid:
In the life-time of the Prophet, Abu Bakr and Umar, the Adhan for the Jumua prayer used to be pronounced when the Imam sat on the pulpit. But during the Caliphate of 'Uthman when the Muslims increased in number, a third Adhan at Az-Zaura' was added. Abu 'Abdullah said, "Az-Zaura' is a place in the market of Medina."
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Volume 2, Book 13, Number 734:
Narrated As-Saib bin Yazid:
The person who increased the number of Adhans for the Jumua prayers to three was Uthman bin Affan and it was when the number of the (Muslim) people of Medina had increased. In the life-time of the Prophet there was only one Muadh-dhin and the Adhan used to be pronounced only after the Imam had taken his seat (i.e. on the pulpit).

As to how many Adhaans should actually be called out for the Jumu`ah prayer, go do your own research. You might want to go through this.

Anyhow, there's one Adhan and one Iqamah for the Jumu`ah prayer.
Wassalam.

Night Prayer: Not Compulsory (Ahadith 696-698)


Salam,
Bismillah.

Hadith no. 693, 694 and 695 are repeats.

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 696:
Narrated 'Aisha:
Allah's Apostle used to pray in his room at night. As the wall of the room was low, the people saw him and some of them stood up to follow him in the prayer. In the morning they spread the news. The following night the Prophet stood for the prayer and the people followed him. This went on for two or three nights. Thereupon Allah's Apostle did not stand for the prayer the following night, and did not come out. In the morning, the people asked him about it. He replied, that he was afraid that the night prayer might become compulsory.

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 697:
Narrated 'Aisha:
The Prophet had a mat which he used to spread during the day and use as a curtain at night. So a number of people gathered at night facing it and prayed behind him.

 Volume 1, Book 11, Number 698:
Narrated Zaid bin Thabit:
Allah's Apostle made a small room in the month of Ramadan (Sa'id said, "I think that Zaid bin Thabit said that it was made of a mat") and he prayed there for a few nights, and so some of his companions prayed behind him. When he came to know about it, he kept on sitting. In the morning, he went out to them and said, "I have seen and understood what you did. You should pray in your houses, for the best prayer of a person is that which he prays in his house except the compulsory prayers."

Night prayer is not compulsory during or outside Ramadan. The one who performs it gets huge rewards though.


With this, Kitaab-ul-Adhaan ends. Alhamdulillah.
Wassalam.

Straighten Your Rows! (Ahadith 685-691)


Salam,
Bismillah.

Hadith no. 684 is a repeat. Read it here.

 Volume 1, Book 11, Number 685:
Narrated An-Nu'man bin 'Bashir:
The Prophet said, "Straighten your rows or Allah will alter your faces."

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 686:
Narrated Anas:
The Prophet said, "Straighten your rows, for I see you from behind my back."

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 687:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Once the Iqama was pronounced and Allah's Apostle faced us and said, "Straighten your rows and stand closer together, for I see you from behind my back."


Read Hadith no. 688 here and Hadith no. 689 here.

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 690:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet said, "Straighten your rows as the straightening of rows is essential for a perfect and correct prayer. "

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 691:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
I arrived at Medina and was asked whether I found any change since the days of Allah's Apostle. I said, "I have not found any change except that you do not stand in alignment in your prayers."

Need I say more?

Wassalam.

Praying Two Rak`aat Instead of Four (Ahadith 682-683)


Salam,
Bismillah.

Ahadith 680 and 681 are repeats. Read here.

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 682:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Once Allah's Apostle prayed two Rakat (instead of four) and finished his prayer. Dhu-l-yadain asked him whether the prayer had been reduced or whether he had forgotten. Allah's Apostle asked the people whether Dhu-l-yadain was telling the truth. The people replied in the affirmative. Then Allah's Apostle stood up, offered the remaining two Rak`aat and then finished his prayer with Taslim and then said, "Allahu Akbar." He followed it with two prostrations like ordinary prostrations or a bit longer.

 Volume 1, Book 11, Number 683:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet prayed two Rakat of Zuhr prayer (instead of four) and he was told that he had prayed two Rakat only. Then he prayed two more Rakat and finished them with the Taslim followed by two prostrations.

Prophet (SAW) had forgotten during the prayer. So he prayed two Rak`aat for Dhuhr instead of four. And when was asked about it, he immediately stood up and completed the prayer. That is, he offered the remaining two rak`aat followed by sajdah sahw (two prostrations).
Wassalam.

Learn, Lead. (Hadith No. 679)


Salam,
Bismillah.

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 679:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:
Mu'adh used to pray with the Prophet and then go and lead his people (tribe) in the prayer.
Prophet (SAW) used to lead the prayer. Mu`adh (RA) prayed behind him, learnt his ways. Then he used to go back to his own tribe and lead them in the same prayer. So he used to pray (for instance) `Ishaa' twice? :O

Not really. One can do as Mu`adh did, and make intention for nafl prayer. So if you prayed the `Ishaa' prayer in a mosque, then you go somewhere and people ask you to lead them in `Ishaa' prayer because you are the most knowledgeable among them, you may do so. Just make the intention that these four rak`aat will be nafl on your part and fardh for the rest.

Question: why did Mu`adh go through the trouble? Couldn't someone else lead the prayer in his tribe?
Well, no one else was as knowldgeable and as wise as Mu`adh (RA). And he was among the tribe chieftain as well. So he had to be the Imaam of the masjid there as well. That's how it was back then. Ministers in parliament were Imaams in the masjid. <3

You. Learn, and then lead. The process goes on in a cycle. You can never learn enough. So keep at it! :)


Wassalam.

One for the Mother (Ahadith 675-678)


Salam,
Bismillah.

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 675:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Abi Qatada:
My father said, "The Prophet said, 'When I stand for prayer, I intend to prolong it but on hearing the cries of a child, I cut it short, as I dislike to trouble the child's mother.' "

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 676:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
I never prayed behind any Imam a prayer lighter and more perfect than that behind the Prophet and he used to cut short the prayer whenever he heard the cries of a child lest he should put the child's mother to trial.

 Volume 1, Book 11, Number 677:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet said, "When I start the prayer I intend to prolong it, but on hearing the cries of a child, I cut short the prayer because I know that the cries of the child will incite its mother's passions."

Hadith no. 678 as above.

When a child cries, what happens to a mother? I can hardly imagine, but observation is my teacher. Mothers can't bear their child crying. They'll do everything to stop their pain.

When the mother is praying and the child starts crying, the mother will be distracted from prayer. To make it easy for her, Prophet (SAW) used to shorten the prayer. The whole congregation got affected, only to facilitate a mother. And you say women don't have rights in Islam? Pshh!


Wassalam.

Perfection of Prayer (Hadith No. 674)


Salam,
Bismillah.

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 674:
Narrated Anas:
The Prophet used to pray a short prayer (in congregation) but used to offer it in a perfect manner.

Perfection of prayer. What is it? Establishing it, praying regularly and on time, performing all sujud, ruku`, qiyaam etc. properly, and giving each position 'time'. We get to know from different narrations the way that Prophet (SAW) used to pray. His each and every action and move have been recorded in Ahadith (awesome observation of Companions!).

Companions say that the Prophet (SAW) used to perform the Salah in a perfect manner. He used to give each position time. When in ruku`, he would stay in that position for a while, make the ruku` last long, and then change his position. Similarly, when getting back up from the ruku` position, he would give it time, let the body settle in standing position, and then go down for sajdah. Get it?

Now you check your Salah. Or let somebody else check it for you and point out your mistakes. Because if you don't offer your Salah 'perfectly', you're not following the Sunnah. And what good is all the effort then?

Annnnyway, check the speed of your Salah. Even if your prayer is short, do you perform it 'perfectly'? Do you give Salah its due right? Or do you just do some exercise five times a day everyday?

Wassalam.

Complaining Against the Imaam (Ahadith 670-673)


Salam,
Bismillah.

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 670:
Narrated Abu Mas'ud:
A man came and said, "O Allah's Apostle! By Allah, I keep away from the morning prayer only because So and so prolongs the prayer when he leads us in it." The narrator said, "I never saw Allah's Apostle more furious in giving advice than he was at that time. He then said, "Some of you make people dislike good deeds (the prayer). So whoever among you leads the people in prayer should shorten it because among them are the weak, the old and the needy."

 Volume 1, Book 11, Number 671:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "If anyone of you leads the people in the prayer, he should shorten it for amongst them are the weak, the sick and the old; and if anyone among your prays alone then he may prolong (the prayer) as much as he wishes. "

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 672:
Narrated Abu Mas'ud:
A man came and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I keep away from the morning prayer because so-and-so (Imam) prolongs it too much." Allah's Apostle became furious and I had never seen him more furious than he was on that day. The Prophet said, "O people! Some of you make others dislike the prayer, so whoever becomes an Imam he should shorten the prayer, as behind him are the weak, the old and the needy.''

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 673:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah Al-Ansari:
Once a man was driving two Nadihas (camels used for agricultural purposes) and night had fallen. He found Mu'adh praying so he made his camel kneel and joined Mu'adh in the prayer. The latter recited Surat 'AlBaqara" or Surat "An-Nisa", (so) the man left the prayer and went away. When he came to know that Mu'adh had criticized him, he went to the Prophet, and complained against Mu'adh. The Prophet said thrice, "O Mu'adh ! Are you putting the people to trial?" It would have been better if you had recited "Sabbih Isma Rabbika-l-a-la (87)", Wash-Shamsi wadu-haha (91)", or "Wal-laili Idhaa yaghsha (92)", for the old, the weak and the needy pray behind you." Jabir said that Mu'adh recited Sura Al-Baqara in the 'Isha' prayer.

Alright. So, one MAY complain about his Imaam. That he lengthens the prayer too much. Or he does such and such the wrong way. But to whom? Whom does he complain to? Not the people around, please. That's just useless.

Companions had a leader, a Head of State whom they could turn to for any problems they had. It was Prophet (SAW) himself. But in present-day hierarchy, who comes above the Imaam of masjid? The minister for religious affairs? How to reach him? (LOL)

Anyway, either I lack knowledge or truly our system is faulty. Whichever it is, one thing is clear: we do NOT go on complaining about a certain masjid's Imaam to general public. We discuss such problems with the right person, a person who can SOLVE those problems.

Here's another solution: if you have good communication skills, and enough knowledge and wisdom, you go to the Imaam yourself and request him to shorten the prayer (or correct whatever else he's doing wrong). Make sure to do it in a very non-offensive way (and good luck with that!). He just might listen to you and correct himself. And as a result, everyone who comes to that masjid and gets irritated by the long qiyaams (or whatever else) will pray for you. And you get so much reward. Wow. (Y)


Wassalam.

Reciting al-Mufassalaat in `Ishaa' (Ahadith 668-669)


Salam,
Bismillah.

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 668:
Narrated Mu'adh bin Jabal:
I used to pray the 'Isha prayer with the Prophet and then go to lead my people in the prayer.

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 669:
Narrated 'Amr:
Jabir bin 'Abdullah said, "Mu'adh bin Jabal used to pray with the Prophet and then go to lead his people in prayer Once he led the 'Isha' prayer and recited Surat "Al-Baqarah." Somebody left the prayer and Mu'adh criticized him. The news reached the Prophet and he said to Mu'adh, 'You are putting the people to trial,' and repeated it thrice (or said something similar) and ordered him to recite two medium Suras of al-Mufassal*." ('Amr said that he had forgotten the names of those Suras).

 * Al-Mufassalaat or the Surahs of al-Mufassal are the surahs starting from Surah no. 50 till the end of the Qur'an, i.e. Surah no. 114.


Prophet (SAW) always kept the congregational prayer short, and ordered others to do so as well. Everyone does not have the time and circumstances to enjoy such long qiyaams everyday. But when you're praying alone, you may lengthen your prayer as much as you want.

Reciting relevantly shorter Surahs in `Ishaa' prayer is a Sunnah. The Surahs towards the end of the Qur'an (al-Mufassalaat) are easy to memorize as well. :)

Wassalam.

Congregation of Two (Ahadith 665-667)


Salam,
Bismillah.

Hadith no. 664 is a repeat. Read it here.

 Volume 1, Book 11, Number 665:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
Once I passed the night in the house of my aunt Maimuna. Allah's Apostle offered the 'Isha' prayer and then came to the house and offered four Rakat an slept. Later on, he woke up and stood for the prayer and I stood on his left side. He drew me to his right and prayed five Rakat and then two. He then slept till I heard him snoring (or heard his breath sounds). Afterwards he went out for the morning prayer.

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 666:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
One night I slept at the house of (my aunt) Maimuna and the Prophet was there on that night. He performed ablution and stood up for the prayer. I joined him and stood on his left side but he drew me to his right and prayed thirteen Rakat and then slept till I heard his breath sounds. And whenever he slept, he used to breathe with audible sounds. The Mu'adhdhin came to the Prophet and he went out and prayed the morning prayer) without repeating the ablution.


Volume 1, Book 11, Number 667:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
Once I passed the night in the house of my aunt Maimuna. The Prophet stood for the night prayer and I joined him and stood on his left side but he drew me to his right by holding me by the head.
  • If only two persons are offering Salah in congregation, the follower will be on the right side of the Imaam in the same line.
  • The Salah of neither would be invalid if the follower stood on the left side of the Imaam and the Imaam drew him to his right side.
  • If the Imaam has not had the intention of the leading the prayer and then someone joins him, he can lead him in the prayer. Which suggests that niyyah (intention) of Salah can be changed during Salah.
Wassalam.

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