importance
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Excellence of the Friday Ghusl (Ahadith 700 - 706)


Salam,
Bismillah.

To read about the importance of the Friday ghusl and to know whether it's compulsory or not, read this post AND the comments on it. You'll get the clear picture inshaAllah.

Now read on for the excellence or supremacy of the Friday ghusl. Yes, we know it's mustahabb (recommended), but we should also know why.

Volume 2, Book 13, Number 700:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Umar:
Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) said, "Anyone of you attending the Friday (prayers) should take a bath."

Volume 2, Book 13, Number 701:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
While Umar bin Al-Khattab was standing and delivering the sermon on a Friday, one of the companions of the Prophet, who was one of the foremost Muhajirs (emigrants) came. 'Umar said to him, "What is the time now?" He replied, "I was busy and could not go back to my house till I heard the Adhan. I did not perform more than the ablution." Thereupon 'Umar said to him, "Did you perform only the ablution although you know that Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) used to order us to take a bath (on Fridays)?"

Volume 2, Book 13, Number 702:
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:
Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) said, "The taking of a bath on Friday is compulsory for every male (Muslim) who has attained the age of puberty."

Volume 2, Book 13, Number 703:
Narrated Abu Said:
I testify that Allah's Apostle said, "The taking of a bath on Friday is compulsory for every male Muslim who has attained the age of puberty and (also) the cleaning of his teeth with Siwak, and the using of perfume if it is available." Amr (a sub-narrator) said, "I confirm that the taking of a bath is compulsory, but as for the Siwak and the using of perfume, Allah knows better whether it is obligatory or not, but according to the Hadith it is as above.")


Volume 2, Book 13, Number 704:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) said, "Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath of Janaba and then goes for the prayer (in the first hour i.e. early), it is as if he had sacrificed a camel (in Allah's cause); and whoever goes in the second hour it is as if he had sacrificed a cow; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the Khutba), the angels present themselves to listen to the Khutba."

Volume 2, Book 13, Number 705:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
While 'Umar (bin Al-Khattab) was delivering the Khutba on a Friday, a man entered (the mosque). 'Umar asked him, "What has detained you from the prayer?" The man said, "It was only that when I heard the Adhan I performed ablution (for the prayer)." On that 'Umar said, "Did you not hear the Prophet saying: 'Anyone of you going out for the Jumua prayer should take a bath'?".

Volume 2, Book 13, Number 706:
Narrated Salman-Al-Farsi:
The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "Whoever takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, then uses his (hair) oil or perfumes himself with the scent of his house, then proceeds (for the Jumua prayer) and does not separate two persons sitting together (in the mosque), then prays as much as (Allah has) written for him and then remains silent while the Imam is delivering the Khutba, his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven."

Why would you NOT take a bath on Friday, then?
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.

Your Basic Necessity (Hadith No. 655)

Salam,
Bismillah.

Hadith no. 653 is a repeat. Read it here. Hadith no. 654 is also a repeat. Read it here. 

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 655:
Narrated 'Ubaid-Ullah Ibn 'Abdullah bin 'Utba:
I went to 'Aisha and asked her to describe to me the illness of Allah's Apostle. 'Aisha said, "Yes. The Prophet became seriously ill and asked whether the people had prayed. We replied, 'No. O Allah's Apostle! They are waiting for you.' He added, 'Put water for me in a trough." 'Aisha added, "We did so. He took a bath and tried to get up but fainted. When he recovered, he again asked whether the people had prayed. We said, 'No, they are waiting for you. O Allah's Apostle,' He again said, 'Put water in a trough for me.' He sat down and took a bath and tried to get up but fainted again. Then he recovered and said, 'Have the people prayed?' We replied, 'No, they are waiting for you. O Allah's Apostle.' He said, 'Put water for me in the trough.' Then he sat down and washed himself and tried to get up but he fainted. When he recovered, he asked, 'Have the people prayed?' We said, 'No, they are waiting for you. O Allah's Apostle! The people were in the mosque waiting for the Prophet for the 'Isha prayer. The Prophet sent for Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer. The messenger went to Abu Bakr and said, 'Allah's Apostle orders you to lead the people in the prayer.' Abu Bakr was a soft-hearted man, so he asked 'Umar to lead the prayer but 'Umar replied, 'You are more rightful.' So Abu Bakr led the prayer in those days. When the Prophet felt a bit better, he came out for the Zuhr prayer with the help of two persons one of whom was Al-'Abbas. while Abu Bakr was leading the people in the prayer. When Abu Bakr saw him he wanted to retreat but the Prophet beckoned him not to do so and asked them to make him sit beside Abu Bakr and they did so. Abu Bakr was following the Prophet (in the prayer) and the people were following Abu Bakr. The Prophet (prayed) sitting."

'Ubaid-Ullah added "I went to 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas and asked him, Shall I tell you what Aisha has told me about the fatal illness of the Prophet?' Ibn 'Abbas said, 'Go ahead. I told him her narration and he did not deny anything of it but asked whether 'Aisha told me the name of the second person (who helped the Prophet ) along with Al-Abbas. I said. 'No.' He said, 'He was 'Ali (Ibn Abi Talib).

Similar Ahadith have been covered before. Like praying despite fatal illness and switching Imaams during Salah.

I was thinking about the initial part of this Hadith. Prophet (SAW) is so ill, he can't even stay awake for long. He faints each time he wants to get up. Each time he recovers, he asks about the prayer. He worries about the people waiting for prayer. He is so weak, so close to death, yet he keeps Salah above everything else.

What is it about Salah? Why is it SO important? Why do Allah and His Messenger (SAW) emphasize on its establishment so much? Why does Prophet (SAW)'s face get lit up when he sees the Muslims praying during his last days? Why does he want to burn the houses of those men who do not turn up for congregational prayer in the masjid five times a day? Why are Muslims promised an 'honorable' place in Paradise for praying? Why is praying on time so important? Why so much reward on doing it properly and such severe punishment on ignoring it? Have you ever thought about it?

This is what I came across when I Googled 'importance of Salah':
“Then, there came after them a generation who gave up Salah and followed lusts; so they will be thrown in Hell.” (19: 59) 
"Salah is the second pillar and one of the most important pillars of Islam. Salah is the key to Islam." -Hamid Syed 
“The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad.” [Tabarani] 
“Salat is a pillar of the religion (Islam). He who establishes it, establishes religion; and he who destroys it, destroys religion." [Tabarani] 

After going through all this, I'm now thinking: Salah is one of the basic necessities of life. If water keeps your body alive, Salah keeps your soul nourished. We can go on about the physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, personal, social and other benefits of Salah. But I can conclude early: Salah is a Muslim's basic necessity.


Let your soul live. PRAY!
Wassalam.

Praying Despite Fatal Illness (Ahadith 633-634)


Salam,
Bismillah.

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 633:
Narrated Al-Aswad:
"We were with 'Aisha discussing the regularity of offering the prayer and dignifying it. She said, 'When Allah's Apostle fell sick with the fatal illness and when the time of prayer became due and Adhan was pronounced, he said, 'Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.' He was told that Abu Bakr was a soft-hearted man and would not be able to lead the prayer in his place. The Prophet gave the same order again but he was given the same reply. He gave the order for the third time and said, 'You (women) are the companions of Joseph. Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer.' So Abu Bakr came out to lead the prayer. In the meantime the condition of the Prophet improved a bit and he came out with the help of two men one on each side. As if I was observing his legs dragging on the ground owing to the disease. Abu Bakr wanted to retreat but the Prophet beckoned him to remain at his place and the Prophet was brought till he sat beside Abu Bakr." Al-A'mash was asked, "Was the Prophet praying and Abu Bakr following him, and were the people following Abu Bakr in that prayer?" Al-A'mash replied in the affirmative with a nod of his head. Abu Muawiya said, "The Prophet was sitting on the left side of Abu Bakr who was praying while standing."


Volume 1, Book 11, Number 634:
Narrated 'Aisha:
"When the Prophet became seriously ill and his disease became aggravated he asked for permission from his wives to be nursed in my house and he was allowed. He came out with the help of two men and his legs were dragging on the ground. He was between Al-Abbas and another man."
'Ubaid Ullah said, "I told Ibn 'Abbas what 'Aisha had narrated and he said, 'Do you know who was the (second) man whose name 'Aisha did not mention'" I said, 'No.' Ibn 'Abbas said, 'He was 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib.' "

I want to shed light on just one point. Prayer is the MOST important thing in a Muslim's life. Prophet (SAW) came out to pray in congregation even in his last days. He was so weak, so ill in those days that he had to take help from two men in order to walk. Yet he tried his best to not leave the prayer.

Be your own judge. Think before even thinking of missing/delaying a prayer. Is your excuse valid enough?

Wassalam.

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