Hadith: 'A'ishah Radiyallahu 'anha narrates that Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: He who is regular in offering twelve Rak'at (of Salat), Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will build for him a house in Paradise; four Rak'at before Zuhr, two Rak'at after Zuhr, two Rak'at after Maghrib, two Rak'at after 'Isha, and two Rak'at before Fajr. (Nasai: 1796)
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Hadith: Abu Umamah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Allah does not grant a slave to engage in anything more rewarding for him than two Rak'at, which he offers, Verily righteousness is spread over his head so long as he is engaged in Salat. And man does not come nearer to Allah with anything better than that which came forth from Allah 'Azza wa Jall, meaning thereby the Qur'an. (Tirmidhi: 2911)
Note: Apart from the importance of Nafl Salat, this hadith explains that the maximum closeness to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is achieved by reciting of the Qur'an.
Hadith: Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: I thought of asking some youngsters to collect a large quantity of firewood, and then proceed to the houses of those people who offer their obligatory Salat in their homes without any valid excuse, and burn their houses on them. (Abu Dawud: 549)
Hadith: Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: If people would have known the virtues of going to the masjid for Zuhr Salat in the scorching heat, then they would certainly compete with one another in going to the masjid. And if they knew the virtues of 'Isha and Fajr Salat, they would indeed go to the masjid for these Salat, even if (due to some illness) they had to drag themselves. (Bukhari: 615)
Hadith: Fadalah Ibn 'Ubaid Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that when Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam used to lead the Salat, some people standing in the row would fall down due to extreme hunger; and they were the people of Suffah about whom the villagers would say that they were insane. One day, when Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam completed the Salat, he turned to them and said: If you know the reward that Allah has for you, then you would like to live with more hunger and needs. Fadalah says: I was with Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam that day. (Tirmidhi: 2368)
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Hadith: 'A'ishah Radiyallahu 'anha narrates that when Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam fell ill, he asked for permission from his wives that his nursing be done in my house. They gave him their consent. When Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam came out (for Salat) with the support of two persons, his feet were making a line on the ground (as a result of trailing along). (Bukhari: 198)
Hadith: Abu Darda Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates: I heard Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying: If three persons in a village or a forest, do not offer the congregational Salat, then Shaitan fully overpowers them. So make it obligatory on yourself to offer Salat in congregation. For undoubtedly the wolf eats only the stray goat. (Abu Dawud: 547)
Hadith: Ubayy ibne-Ka'b Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasalullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: The Salat of a person offered with another person is better than his Salat offered alone. And his Salat with two persons is better than his Salat offered with one person. Similarly, the larger the number, the more it is liked by Allah, The Almighty, The Majestic. (Abu Dawud: 554)
Hadith: 'Abdullah Ibn 'Umar Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates that Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: He who joins the row (of Salat, Allah will join him with His Mercy; and whoever breaks the row (of Salat, Allah will cut him away from His Mercy. (Abu Dawud: 666)
Note: Breaking the row means either placing something (personal belongings) in the row, which would break the continuity of the row; or seeing a vacant space and yet not occupying it. (Mirqat-ul-Mafatih)
Hadith: Bara ibn `Azib Radiyallahu `anhuma narrates that Rasulullah Sallallshu 'alaihi wasallam said: Verily Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala sends Mercy and His angels invoke blessings for the people who are nearer to the front rows; and there is no step more beloved to Allah than one taken to complete a Row. (Abu Dawud: 543)
Hadith: Bara ibne-'Azib Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates that Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam used to pass through the rows from one end to the other; setting our chests and shoulders in line and saying: Do not be out of line otherwise your hearts will differ. He used to add: Verily Allah 'Azza wa Jall sends Mercy for the first row and His angels ask for their forgiveness. (Abu Dawud: 664)
Hadith: Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: A person amongst you gets the reward of Salat, so as long as he keeps on waiting for Salat. Angels Pray for him: O Allah! Forgive him, bestow Mercy upon him. This continues as long as he remains in the state of Wudu or leaves the place of Salat (Bukhari: 3229)
Hadith: Abu Umama Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: One who leaves his house having Wudu to offer obligatory Salat, his reward is like that of a person performing Hajj in the state of Ihram. And the one who goes out, bearing the hardship, solely to offer Salat Ad-Duha, he gets the reward as that of a person performing Umrah. And the offering of Salat after a previous Salat uninterrupted by any irrelevant talk or action, is recorded in Illiyyin (an auspicious register of righteous deeds). (Abu Dawud: 558)
Note: 1. Ihram pertains to numerous constraints imposed on those who travel for Hajj and 'Umrah to Makkah. 2. Duha Salat is a Nafl (optional) prayer before mid-day.
Hadith: Said ibn Musayyib Rahimahullah narrates on the authority of an Ansari Sahabi: I heard Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying: When one of you performs Wudu and performs it well and goes out to offer Salat, then for every right foot he lifts, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala records a virtue for him. And for every left foot he puts on the ground, a sin is erased. He has the choice to take short steps or long ones. Then he comes to the masjid and offers Salat in congregation, he will be forgiven: And if he reaches the masjid and finds that people have already offered a part of their Salat, yet a part remains, he joins the remaining part of the Salat, and thereafter completes that which he had missed. He too gets the same reward of Salat. And if he comes to the masjid and finds that people have finished their Salat; so he completes his individual Salat, he too gets the same reward. (Abu Dawud: 563)
Hadith: Anas ibn Malik Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: A Du'a made between the Adhan and the Iqamah is never rejected. The Sababah asked: What Dua should we make, O Rasullullah? He replied: Ask Allah for 'Afiyah (well being) in this world and in the Hereafter. (Tirmidi: 3594)
Hadith: 'Abdullah ibne-'Amr Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates that a man said: O Rasulallah! Indeed, the Muadhdhins have excelled us (as regards the reward of the Hereafter). Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam replied: Say the same words as they say, and when you come to the end, ask (from Allah) and you will be granted. (Abu Dawud: 524)
Hadith: 'Uqbah Ibn 'Amir Radiyallahu 'anhu reports that he heard Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam narrating a Hadith Qudsi: Your Rabb is pleased with the shepherd who calls the Adhan upon the peak of a mountain and offers Salat. Allah 'Azza wa Jall exclaims to the angels: Look at this slave of Mine who calls the Adhan and the Iqamah for Salat and he fears Me. I have forgiven him and entered him into Paradise. (Abu Dawud: 1203)
Hadith: Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: The Imam is responsible and the Muadhdhin is entrusted. O Allah! Guide the Imams and forgive the Muadhdhins. (Abu Dawud: 517)
Note: The Imam is responsible, means that besides his personal Salat, he bears the responsibility of the Salat of those behind him. Therefore the Imam should perfect his Salat as far as is humanly possible both outwardly and inwardly. In the light of this important responsibility, Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam made a Du'a for the guidance of the Imams. The Muadhdhin is entrusted means that people have placed their trust on the Muadhdhin regarding the timings of the Salat and Saum. Therefore, it is essential for the Muadhdhin to be particular in calling the Adhan at its proper time. However, being human, he may inadvertently err. Hence, Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam has made a Du'a for his forgiveness. (Badhl-ul-Majhud)