Mishkat
al-Masabih

مشكاة المصابيح

01

Faith

كتاب الإيمان

 

Chapter 1a: Chapter - Section 1

باب - الفصل الأول

Mishkat al-Masabih 12

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying, "I am commanded to fight with men till they testify that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is God's messenger, observe the prayer and pay the zakat. When they do that they will keep their lives and their property safe from me, except for what is due to Islam; and their reckoning will be at God’s hands.” (Bukhari and Muslim, but Muslim did not mention, "except for what is due to Islam”.)

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُقَاتِلَ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَشْهَدُوا أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ فَإِذَا فَعَلُوا ذَلِكَ عَصَمُوا مِنِّي دِمَاءَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ إِلَّا بِحَق الْإِسْلَام وحسابهم على الله. إِلَّا أَنَّ مُسْلِمًا لَمْ يَذْكُرْ» إِلَّا بِحَقِّ الْإِسْلَام "

Grade: Muttafaqun 'alayh Zubair `Aliza'i

Chapter 4c: Belief in the Divine Decree - Section 3

باب الإيمان بالقدر - الفصل الثالث

Mishkat al-Masabih 120

Abu Nadra told how a companion of the Prophet (ﷺ) called Abu ‘Abdallah was visited by his friends who found him weeping. They asked him what made him weep, and whether God’s messenger had not told him to clip some of his moustache and keep it like that till he met him. He replied, “Yes, but I heard God’s messenger say that God took a handful in His right hand and another in His left saying, ‘This is for this, and that is for that, and I do not care;’ and I do not know in which of the two handfuls I am.” Ahmad transmitted it.

وَعَن أبي نَضرة أَنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُقَالُ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ أَصْحَابُهُ يَعُودُونَهُ وَهُوَ يَبْكِي فَقَالُوا لَهُ مَا يُبْكِيكَ أَلَمْ يَقُلْ لَكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خُذْ مِنْ شَارِبِكَ ثُمَّ أَقِرَّهُ حَتَّى تَلْقَانِي قَالَ بَلَى وَلَكِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قَبَضَ بِيَمِينِهِ قَبْضَةً وَأُخْرَى بِالْيَدِ الْأُخْرَى وَقَالَ هَذِهِ لِهَذِهِ وَهَذِه لهَذِهِ وَلَا أُبَالِي فَلَا أَدْرِي فِي أَيِّ الْقَبْضَتَيْنِ أَنَا» . رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ

Grade: Isnād Sahīh Zubair `Aliza'i

Mishkat al-Masabih 121

Ibn ‘Abbas reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying

God made the covenant from Adam’s back in Na‘man, i.e. ‘Arafa, and brought forth from his loins all his offspring whom He created and scattered before Him like small ants. He then spoke to them face to face saying, “Am I not your Lord?’ They replied, “Yes, we testify this.” [It was] lest you should say on the day of resurrection, “We were neglectful of this,” or should say, “Our fathers were polytheists before us and we were an offspring after them. Wilt Thou destroy us for what the workers of vanity did?” 1 Ahmad transmitted it. 1 Quran, vii, 172f.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: " أَخذ الله الْمِيثَاق من ظهر آدم بنعمان يَعْنِي عَرَفَة فَأخْرج من صلبه كل ذُرِّيَّة ذَرَاهَا فَنَثَرَهُمْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ كَالذَّرِّ ثُمَّ كَلَّمَهُمْ قِبَلًا قَالَ: (أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قَالُوا بَلَى شَهِدْنَا أَنْ تَقُولُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّا كُنَّا عَنْ هَذَا غافلين أَوْ تَقُولُوا إِنَّمَا أَشْرَكَ آبَاؤُنَا مِنْ قَبْلُ وَكُنَّا ذُرِّيَّةً مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ أَفَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ المبطلون) رَوَاهُ أَحْمد

Grade: Isnād Hasan Zubair `Aliza'i

Mishkat al-Masabih 122

On God’s words, “When your Lord took from the children of Adam from their backs their offspring,” 1 Ubayy b. Ka‘b said

He gathered them and put them in pairs. Thereafter He fashioned them and endowed them with speech, and they spoke. He then made an agreement and covenant with them, calling them to witness regarding themselves, [saying] “Am I not your Lord?” They replied, “Yes.” He said, “I call the seven heavens and the seven earths to witness regarding you, and I call your father Adam to witness regarding you, lest you should say on the day of resurrection, ‘We did not know of this.’ Know that there is no god other than me and no lord other than me, and do not associate anything with me. I shall send to you my messengers to call to your remembrance my agreement and my covenant, and I shall send down my books to you. They replied, “We testify that Thou art our Lord and our God; we have no other lord and no other god but Thee.” So they confirmed that. Adam was raised above them and looked at them, and seeing the rich and the poor, the beautiful and those not so beautiful, he asked, “My Lord, why didst Thou not make Thy servants equal?” He replied, “I wanted to be thanked.” He also saw among them the prophets like lamps with light in them. They had another -special covenant concerning their mission and prophetic office, viz. His words, “And when we took from the prophets their covenant... Jesus son-of Mary.” 2 He was among those spirits and He sent him to Mary. Ubayy is quoted as saying that he entered by her mouth. Ahmad transmitted it. 1 ibid. 2 Quran, xxxiii, 7.

عَن أبي بن كَعْب فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ (وَإِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنْ بَنِي آدَمَ مِنْ ظُهُورهمْ ذرياتهم وأشهدهم على أنفسهم) الْآيَة قَالَ جمعهم فجعلهم أرواحا ثُمَّ صَوَّرَهُمْ فَاسْتَنْطَقَهُمْ فَتَكَلَّمُوا ثُمَّ أَخَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْعَهْدَ وَالْمِيثَاقَ وَأَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قَالَ فَإِنِّي أشهد عَلَيْكُم السَّمَوَات السَّبْعَ وَالْأَرَضِينَ السَّبْعَ وَأُشْهِدُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَبَاكُمْ آدَمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام أَنْ تَقُولُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ لَمْ نَعْلَمْ بِهَذَا اعْلَمُوا أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ غَيْرِي وَلَا رَبَّ غَيْرِي فَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِي شَيْئا وَإِنِّي سَأُرْسِلُ إِلَيْكُمْ رُسُلِي يُذَكِّرُونَكُمْ عَهْدِي وَمِيثَاقِي وَأُنْزِلُ عَلَيْكُمْ كُتُبِي قَالُوا شَهِدْنَا بِأَنَّكَ رَبُّنَا وَإِلَهُنَا لَا رب لَنَا غَيْرُكَ فَأَقَرُّوا بِذَلِكَ وَرُفِعَ عَلَيْهِمْ آدَمُ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِمْ فَرَأَى الْغَنِيَّ وَالْفَقِيرَ وَحَسَنَ الصُّورَةِ وَدُونَ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا سَوَّيْتَ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ قَالَ إِنِّي أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ وَرَأَى الْأَنْبِيَاءَ فِيهِمْ مِثْلَ السُّرُجِ عَلَيْهِمُ النُّورُ خُصُّوا بِمِيثَاقٍ آخَرَ فِي الرِّسَالَةِ وَالنُّبُوَّةِ وَهُوَ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى (وَإِذ أَخذنَا من النَّبِيين ميثاقهم) إِلَى قَوْله (عِيسَى ابْن مَرْيَم) كَانَ فِي تِلْكَ الْأَرْوَاحِ فَأَرْسَلَهُ إِلَى مَرْيَمَ فَحُدِّثَ عَنْ أُبَيٍّ أَنَّهُ دَخَلَ مِنْ فِيهَا. رَوَاهُ أَحْمد

Grade: Isnād Da'īf Zubair `Aliza'i

Mishkat al-Masabih 123

Abud Darda’ said

While we were with God’s messenger discussing what would come to pass God’s messenger said, “When you hear that a mountain has moved from its place believe it; but when you hear that a man's nature has changed do not believe it, for he will remain true to his inborn disposition.” Ahmad transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ قَالَ بَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نَتَذَاكَرُ مَا يَكُونُ إِذْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ بِجَبَلٍ زَالَ عَن مَكَانَهُ فصدقوا وَإِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ بِرَجُلٍ تَغَيَّرَ عَنْ خُلُقِهِ فَلَا تصدقوا بِهِ وَإنَّهُ يَصِيرُ إِلَى مَا جُبِلَ عَلَيْهِ ". رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ

Grade: Isnād Da'īf Zubair `Aliza'i

Mishkat al-Masabih 124

Umm Salama said, “Messenger of God, you continue to be afflicted annually with pain from the poisoned sheep you ate.” He replied, “I am afflicted by nothing due to it which was not decreed for me while Adam was still a lump of clay.” Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَن أم سَلمَة يَا رَسُول الله لَا يزَال يصيبك كُلِّ عَامٍ وَجَعٌ مِنَ الشَّاةِ الْمَسْمُومَةِ الَّتِي أَكَلْتَ قَالَ: «مَا أَصَابَنِي شَيْءٌ مِنْهَا إِلَّا وَهُوَ مَكْتُوبٌ عَلَيَّ وَآدَمُ فِي طِينَتِهِ» . رَوَاهُ ابْنُ مَاجَهْ

Grade: Isnād Da'īf Zubair `Aliza'i

Chapter 5a: Confirmation of the Punishment in the Grave - Section 1

باب إثبات عذاب القبر - الفصل الأول

Mishkat al-Masabih 125

Al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “When a Muslim is questioned in the grave he testifies that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is God’s messenger.” That is verified by God’s words, “God establishes those who believe with the word that stands firm in this world and the next.” 1 In a version the Prophet (ﷺ) said

“God establishes those who believe with the word which stands firm” was revealed concerning the punishment in the grave. One will be asked who his Lord is and will reply that his Lord is God and his prophet is Muhammad. (Bukhari and Muslim.) 1 Quran, xiv, 27.

عَن الْبَرَاءِ بْنِ عَازِبٍ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: " الْمُسْلِمُ إِذَا سُئِلَ فِي الْقَبْرِ يَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ فَذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ (يُثَبِّتُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَة) وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: (يُثَبِّتُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِت) نَزَلَتْ فِي عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ يُقَالُ لَهُ: مَنْ رَبك؟ فَيَقُول: رَبِّي الله ونبيي مُحَمَّد

Grade: Muttafaqun 'alayh Zubair `Aliza'i

Mishkat al-Masabih 126

Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “When a man is placed in his grave and his friends leave him, he hears the beat of their sandals. Then two angels come to him and, having made him sit up, they say, ‘What was your opinion of this man, of Muhammad?’ The believer replies, ‘I testify that he is God’s servant and messenger.’ He is then told to look at his abode in hell for which God has substituted for him an abode in paradise, and he sees them both. The hypocrite and infidel are asked, ‘What was your opinion of this man?’ and reply, ‘I do not know; I held the opinion others held.’ They will retort, ‘You neither knew nor did you follow [the believers].’ He will then be given a blow with iron hammers and will utter a shout which will be heard by all who are near him, with the exception of men and jinn.” (Bukhari and Muslim. The wording is Bukhari’s.)

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنه حَدثهمْ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا وُضِعَ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَتَوَلَّى عَنْهُ أَصْحَابُهُ وَإِنَّهُ لَيَسْمَعُ قَرْعَ نِعَالِهِمْ أَتَاهُ مَلَكَانِ فَيُقْعِدَانِهِ فَيَقُولَانِ مَا كُنْتَ تَقُولُ فِي هَذَا الرَّجُلِ لِمُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَأَمَّا الْمُؤْمِنُ فَيَقُولُ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّهُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ انْظُرْ إِلَى مَقْعَدِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ قَدْ أَبْدَلَكَ اللَّهُ بِهِ مَقْعَدًا مِنَ الْجنَّة فَيَرَاهُمَا جَمِيعًا قَالَ قَتَادَة وَذكر لنا أَنه يفسح لَهُ فِي قَبره ثمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَى حَدِيث أنس قَالَ وَأَمَّا الْمُنَافِقُ وَالْكَافِرُ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ مَا كُنْتَ تَقُولُ فِي هَذَا الرَّجُلِ فَيَقُولُ لَا أَدْرِي كُنْتُ أَقُولُ مَا يَقُولُ النَّاسُ فَيُقَالُ لَا دَرَيْتَ وَلَا تَلَيْتَ وَيُضْرَبُ بِمَطَارِقَ مِنْ حَدِيدٍ ضَرْبَةً فَيَصِيحُ صَيْحَةً يَسْمَعُهَا مَنْ يَلِيهِ غَيْرَ الثقلَيْن» وَلَفظه للْبُخَارِيّ

Grade: Muttafaqun 'alayh Zubair `Aliza'i

Mishkat al-Masabih 127

‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying, “When one of you dies, his abode among the inhabitants of paradise will be shown him morning and evening if he is to be one of them; but if he is to be one of the inhabitants of hell, his abode among them will be shown him. He will be told that this is his abode to which God will finally raise him on the day of resurrection.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم قَالَ: «إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا مَاتَ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ مَقْعَدُهُ بِالْغَدَاةِ وَالْعَشِيِّ إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَمِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ فَمِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ فَيُقَالُ هَذَا مَقْعَدُكَ حَتَّى يَبْعَثك الله يَوْم الْقِيَامَة»

Grade: Muttafaqun 'alayh Zubair `Aliza'i

Mishkat al-Masabih 128

‘A’isha told of a Jewess who visited her and mentioned the punishment in the grave adding, “May God preserve you from the punishment of the grave!” ‘A’isha asked God’s messenger about the subject and he said, “Yes, the punishment in the grave is real.” ‘A’isha said, “After that I never saw God’s messenger observing a prayer without seeking God’s protection from the punishment in the grave.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا أَنَّ يَهُودِيَّةً دَخَلَتْ عَلَيْهَا فَذَكَرَتْ عَذَابَ الْقَبْرِ فَقَالَتْ لَهَا أَعَاذَكِ اللَّهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ فَسَأَلَتْ عَائِشَةُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ فَقَالَ: «نَعَمْ عَذَابُ الْقَبْر قَالَت عَائِشَة رَضِي الله عَنْهَا فَمَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بعد صلى صَلَاة إِلَّا تعوذ من عَذَاب الْقَبْر»

Grade: Muttafaqun 'alayh Zubair `Aliza'i

Mishkat al-Masabih 129

Zaid b. Thabit said

While we were accompanying God’s messenger who was riding a she-mule in a garden belonging to the B. an-Najjar, the animal shied and almost unseated him. It happened that there were five or six graves there, so he asked if anyone knew who were buried in them. A man replied that he did, and on being asked when they died said it was in the period when the people were polytheists. The Prophet (ﷺ) then said, “These people are being afflicted in their graves, and were it not that you would cease to bury, I would ask God to let you hear the punishment in the grave which I am hearing.” Then he turned facing us and said, “Seek refuge in God from the punishment of the fire.” They said, “We seek refuge in God from the punishment of the fire.” He said, “Seek refuge in God from the punishment in the grave.” They said, “We seek refuge in God from the punishment in the grave.” He said, “Seek refuge in God from trials both open and secret.” They said, “We seek refuge in God from trials both open and secret.” He said, “Seek refuge in God from the trial of ad-Dajjal!” They said, “We seek refuge in God from the trial of ad-Dajjal.” Muslim transmitted it.

عَن زيد بن ثَابت قَالَ بَيْنَمَا النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي حَائِطٍ لِبَنِي النَّجَّارِ عَلَى بَغْلَةٍ لَهُ وَنَحْنُ مَعَهُ إِذْ حَادَتْ بِهِ فَكَادَتْ تُلْقِيهِ وَإِذَا أَقْبُرُ سِتَّةٍ أَو خَمْسَة أَو أَرْبَعَة قَالَ كَذَا كَانَ يَقُول الْجريرِي فَقَالَ: «من يعرف أَصْحَاب هَذِه الأقبر فَقَالَ رجل أَنا قَالَ فَمَتَى مَاتَ هَؤُلَاءِ قَالَ مَاتُوا فِي الْإِشْرَاك فَقَالَ إِنَّ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةَ تُبْتَلَى فِي قُبُورِهَا فَلَوْلَا أَنْ لَا تَدَافَنُوا لَدَعَوْتُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُسْمِعَكُمْ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ الَّذِي أَسْمَعُ مِنْهُ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْنَا بِوَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ تَعَوَّذُوا بِاللَّهِ مِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ قَالُوا نَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ عَذَاب النَّار فَقَالَ تَعَوَّذُوا بِاللَّهِ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ قَالُوا نَعُوذُ بِاللَّه من عَذَاب الْقَبْر قَالَ تَعَوَّذُوا بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الْفِتَنِ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ قَالُوا نَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الْفِتَنِ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ قَالَ تَعَوَّذُوا بِاللَّهِ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الدَّجَّالِ قَالُوا نَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الدَّجَّالِ» . رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ

Grade: Sahīh Zubair `Aliza'i

Chapter 32b: Prayer at Night - Section 2

باب صلاة الليل - الفصل الثاني

Mishkat al-Masabih 1200

Hudhaifa said he saw the Prophet (ﷺ) praying at night, and he was saying, “God is most great (three times), Possessor of the kingdom, might, pomp and greatness.” Thereafter he began and recited al-Baqara (Al-Qur’an; 2) then bowed, his bowing lasting about the same length of time as his standing, and he was saying while bowing, “Glory be to my mighty Lord.” He then raised his head after bowing and stood about the same length of time as he bad spent in bowing, saying, “To my Lord be the praise.” Then he prostrated himself for about the same length of time as he had stood, and he was saying while prostrating himself, “Glory be to my Lord most high.” He then raised his head after the prostration and sat between the two prostrations about the same length of time as he had spent in his prostration, and he was saying, “My Lord, forgive me; my Lord, forgive me.” He then prayed four rak'as in which he recited al-Baqara, Al 'Imran, an-Nisa’, and al-Ma'idaor al-An‘am (Al-Qur’an; 2, 3, 4 and 5 and 6) Shu‘ba was doubtful which it was. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ: أَنَّهُ رَأَى النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ وَكَانَ يَقُولُ: «الله أكبر» ثَلَاثًا «ذُو الْمَلَكُوتِ وَالْجَبَرُوتِ وَالْكِبْرِيَاءِ وَالْعَظَمَةِ» ثُمَّ اسْتَفْتَحَ فَقَرَأَ الْبَقَرَةَ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ فَكَانَ رُكُوعُهُ نَحْوًا مِنْ قِيَامِهِ فَكَانَ يَقُولُ فِي رُكُوعِهِ: «سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ» ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الرُّكُوعِ فَكَانَ قِيَامُهُ نَحْوًا مِنْ رُكُوعِهِ يَقُولُ: «لِرَبِّيَ الْحَمْدُ» ثُمَّ سَجَدَ فَكَانَ سُجُودُهُ نَحْوًا مِنْ قِيَامِهِ فَكَانَ يَقُولُ فِي سُجُودِهِ: «سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى» ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ السُّجُودِ وَكَانَ يَقْعُدُ فِيمَا بَيْنَ السَّجْدَتَيْنِ نَحْوًا مِنْ سُجُودِهِ وَكَانَ يَقُولُ: «رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي» فَصَلَّى أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ قَرَأَ فِيهِنَّ (الْبَقَرَةَ وَآلَ عِمْرَانَ وَالنِّسَاءَ وَالْمَائِدَةَ أَوِ الْأَنْعَامَ) شَكَّ شُعْبَة) رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Mishkat al-Masabih 1201

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr b. al-‘As reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone makes proper use of ten verses he will not be recorded among the negligent; if anyone makes proper use of a hundred verses he will be recorded among those who are obedient to God

and if anyone makes proper use of a thousand verses he will be recorded among those who receive huge rewards.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ قَامَ بِعَشْرِ آيَاتٍ لَمْ يُكْتَبْ مِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ وَمَنْ قَامَ بِمِائَةِ آيَةٍ كُتِبَ مِنَ الْقَانِتِينَ وَمَنْ قَامَ بِأَلْفِ آيَةٍ كُتِبَ من المقنطرين» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Mishkat al-Masabih 1202

Abu Huraira said that the Prophet’s recitation at night was partly in a loud voice and partly in a low voice. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَن أبي هُرَيْرَة قَالَ: كَانَ قِرَاءَةُ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِاللَّيْلِ يَرْفَعُ طَوْرًا وَيَخْفِضُ طَوْرًا. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1203

Ibn ‘Abbas said the Prophet’s recitation was loud enough for one who was in the inner chamber to hear it when he was in the house. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: كَانَتْ قِرَاءَةُ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَلَى قَدْرِ مَا يَسْمَعُهُ مَنْ فِي الْحُجْرَةِ وَهُوَ فِي الْبَيْتِ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Mishkat al-Masabih 1204

Abu Qatada said God’s Messenger went out one night and found Abu Bakr praying in a low voice, and he passed ‘Umar who was raising his voice while praying. When they both were with the Prophet (ﷺ) he said, “I passed you, Abu Bakr, when you were praying in a low voice.” He replied, “I made Him hear with whom I was holding intimate converse, Messenger of God.” He said to ‘Umar, “I passed you when you were raising your voice while praying.” He replied, “Messenger of God, I was wakening the drowsy and driving away the devil.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Raise your voice a little, Abu Bakr;” and he said to ‘Umar, “Lower your voice a little.” Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Tirmidhi transmitted something similar.

وَعَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ قَالَ: إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَرَجَ لَيْلَةً فَإِذَا هُوَ بِأَبِي بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي يَخْفِضُ مِنْ صَوْتِهِ وَمَرَّ بِعُمَرَ وَهُوَ يُصَلِّي رَافِعًا صَوْتَهُ قَالَ: فَلَمَّا اجْتَمَعَا عِنْدَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ مَرَرْتُ بِكَ وَأَنْتَ تُصَلِّي تَخْفِضُ صَوْتَكَ» قَالَ: قَدْ أَسْمَعْتُ مَنْ نَاجَيْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَقَالَ لِعُمَرَ: «مَرَرْتُ بِكَ وَأَنْتَ تُصَلِّي رَافِعًا صَوْتَكَ» فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أُوقِظُ الْوَسْنَانَ وَأَطْرُدُ الشَّيْطَانَ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ ارْفَعْ مِنْ صَوْتِكَ شَيْئًا» وَقَالَ لِعُمَرَ: «اخْفِضْ مِنْ صَوْتِكَ شَيْئًا» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد وروى التِّرْمِذِيّ نَحوه

Mishkat al-Masabih 1205

Abu Dharr said that God’s Messenger kept awake during the night till morning reciting one verse, which was, “If Thou punishest them they are Thy servants; and if Thou forgivest them Thou art the Mighty, the Wise”(Al-Qur’an; 5

118). Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ قَالَ: قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحَ بِآيَةٍ وَالْآيَةُ: (إِنْ تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ وَإِنْ تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإنَّك أَنْت الْعَزِيز الْحَكِيم) رَوَاهُ النَّسَائِيّ وَابْن مَاجَه

Mishkat al-Masabih 1206

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you prays the two rak'as of the dawn prayer, he should lie down on his right side.”* * Cf. the third tradition in section 1 of this chapter. Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ رَكْعَتَيِ الْفَجْرِ فَلْيَضْطَجِعْ على يَمِينه» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ وَأَبُو دَاوُد

Chapter 32c: Prayer at Night - Section 3

باب صلاة الليل - الفصل الثالث

Mishkat al-Masabih 1207

Masruq said he asked ‘A’isha what action was most pleasing to God’s Messenger and she replied that it was what one keeps on doing. He asked at what time he got up at night and she said it was at cockcrow. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ: أَيُّ الْعَمَلِ كَانَ أَحَبَّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ؟ قَالَتْ: الدَّائِمُ قُلْتُ: فَأَيُّ حِينَ كَانَ يَقُومُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ؟ قَالَتْ: كَانَ يَقُومُ إِذا سمع الصَّارِخ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1208

Anas said, “We never wanted to see God’s Messenger praying at night without doing so, and we never wanted to see him sleeping without doing so.”* *The tradition most probably means that he Prophet (ﷺ) did not go to extremes in religious observances. Nasa'i transmitted it.

وَعَن أنس قَالَ: مَا كُنَّا نَشَاءُ أَنْ نَرَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي اللَّيْلِ مُصَلِّيًا إِلَّا رَأَيْنَاهُ وَلَا نَشَاءُ أَنْ نَرَاهُ نَائِما إِلَّا رَأَيْنَاهُ. رَوَاهُ النَّسَائِيّ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1209

Humaid b. ‘Abd ar-Rahman b. ‘Auf said that one of the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) told how he decided when he was on a journey along with God’s Messenger that he must watch his prayer to see how he conducted it. When he had prayed the evening prayer, which is the 'atama, he lay down for a long period during the night, then awoke, looked at the horizon and said, “Our Lord, Thou hast not created this in vain…verily Thou dost not break Thy promise” (Al-Qur’an; 3

191,194). Then God's Messenger went to his couch from which he took out a toothstick, then poured out some water into a bowl from a skin vessel beside him, cleaned his teeth, and stood up and prayed, till it appeared to me that he prayed as long as he had slept. Then he lay down till it appeared to me that he slept as long as he had prayed. Then awakening and doing as he did the first time, he said the same as he had said. He did that three times before the dawn. Nasa’i transmitted it.

وَعَنْ حُمَيْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ قَالَ: أَنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: قُلْتُ وَأَنَا فِي سَفَرٍ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: وَاللَّهِ لَأَرْقُبَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لِلصَّلَاةِ حَتَّى أَرَى فِعْلَهُ فَلَمَّا صَلَّى صَلَاةَ الْعِشَاءِ وَهِيَ الْعَتَمَةُ اضْطَجَعَ هَوِيًّا مِنَ اللَّيْلِ ثُمَّ اسْتَيْقَظَ فَنَظَرَ فِي الْأُفُقِ فَقَالَ: (رَبنَا مَا خلقت هَذَا بَاطِلا) حَتَّى بَلَغَ إِلَى (إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ) ثُمَّ أَهْوَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ فَاسْتَلَّ مِنْهُ سِوَاكًا ثُمَّ أَفْرَغَ فِي قَدَحٍ مِنْ إِدَاوَةٍ عِنْدَهُ مَاءً فَاسْتَنَّ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَصَلَّى حَتَّى قُلْتُ: قَدْ صَلَّى قَدْرَ مَا نَامَ ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ حَتَّى قُلْتُ قَدْ نَامَ قَدْرَ مَا صَلَّى ثُمَّ اسْتَيْقَظَ فَفَعَلَ كَمَا فَعَلَ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَقَالَ مِثْلَ مَا قَالَ فَفَعَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ثَلَاثٌ مَرَّاتٍ قَبْلَ الْفَجْرِ. رَوَاهُ النَّسَائِيّ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1210

Ya'la b. Mamlak said he asked Umm Salama, the Prophet’s wife, about his recitation and prayer. She Said, “What have you to do with his prayer? He would pray, then sleep as long as he had prayed, then pray as long as he had slept, then sleep as long as he had prayed, till morning.” She then described his recitation and did so with an exposition word by word. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it.

وَعَن يَعْلَى بْنِ مُمَلَّكٍ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ قِرَاءَةِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَصَلَاتِهِ؟ فَقَالَتْ: وَمَا لَكُمْ وَصَلَاتُهُ؟ كَانَ يُصَلِّي ثُمَّ يَنَامُ قَدْرَ مَا صَلَّى ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي قَدْرَ مَا نَامَ ثُمَّ يَنَامُ قَدْرَ مَا صَلَّى حَتَّى يُصْبِحَ ثُمَّ نَعَتَتْ قِرَاءَتَهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ تَنْعَتُ قِرَاءَةً مُفَسَّرَةً حَرْفًا حَرْفًا) رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ

Chapter 33a: What one says when one gets up during the night - Section 1

باب ما يقول إذا قام من الليل - الفصل الأول

Mishkat al-Masabih 1211

Ibn ‘Abbas told how the Prophet (ﷺ) said when he got up during the night to pray, “O God, to Thee be the praise; Thou art supreme over the heavens and the earth and their inhabitants. To Thee be the praise; Thou art the Light of the heavens and the earth and their inhabitants. To Thee be the praise; Thou art the King of the heavens and the earth and their inhabitants. To Thee be the praise; Thou art the Truth, Thy promise is truth, the meeting with Thee is true, Thy word is true, paradise is true, hell is true, the prophets are true, Muhammad is true, the last hour is true. O God, to Thee I submit, in Thee I believe upon Thee I trust, to Thee I repent, by Thy help I have disputed, and to Thee I have come for decision, so forgive me my former and my latter sins, my secret and my open sins, and what Thou knowest better than I. Thou art He who brings forward, and Thou art He who defers. There is no god but Thee, and there is no other god than Thee.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ يَتَهَجَّدُ قَالَ: «اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ مَلِكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ وَوَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ وَقَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ وَالنَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ وَمُحَمَّدٌ حَقٌّ وَالسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ وَإِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرك»

Mishkat al-Masabih 1212

‘A’isha said that when the Prophet (ﷺ) got up at night he began his prayer by saying, “O God, the Lord of Gabriel, Michael and Israfil, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, who knowest the unseen and the seen, Thou decidest among Thy servants concerning their differences. Guide me on account of different opinions regarding the truth by Thy permission; verily Thou guidest whom Thou wilt to a straight path.” Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ افْتَتَحَ صَلَاتَهُ فَقَالَ: «اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ جِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ وَإِسْرَافِيلَ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ اهْدِنِي لِمَا اخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِكَ إِنَّكَ تَهْدِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Mishkat al-Masabih 1213

‘Ubada b. as-Samit reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone is disturbed [from sleep] during the night and says, ‘There is no god but God alone who has no partner; to Him belongs the kingdom, to Him praise is due, and He is omnipotent; glory be to God; praise be to God; there is no god but God

God is most great; there is no might and no power but in God,’ then says, ‘My Lord, forgive me’ (or he said, Then makes supplication), he will receive an answer; and if he performs ablution and prays, his prayer will be accepted.” Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: " مَنْ تَعَارَّ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ: رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي أَوْ قَالَ: ثمَّ دَعَا استيجيب لَهُ فَإِنْ تَوَضَّأَ وَصَلَّى قُبِلَتْ صَلَاتُهُ " رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Chapter 33b: What one says when one gets up during the night - Section 2

باب ما يقول إذا قام من الليل - الفصل الثاني

Mishkat al-Masabih 1214

‘A’isha told how God’s Messenger said when he awoke during the night, “There is no god but Thee. Glory be to Thee, O God, and praise be to Thee. I ask for Thy forgiveness of my sin, and I ask for Thy mercy. O God, increase me in knowledge, and do not let my heart swerve after Thou hast guided me. Grant me mercy from Thyself. Thou art indeed the munificent One.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا اسْتَيْقَظَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ: «لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِذَنْبِي وَأَسْأَلُكَ رَحْمَتَكَ اللَّهُمَّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا وَلَا تُزِغْ قَلْبِي بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنِي وَهَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1215

Mu'adh b. Jabal reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If any Muslim goes to bed in a state of purity making mention of God, then is disturbed [from sleep] during the night and asks God for good, God will give it to him.” Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَبِيتُ عَلَى ذِكْرٍ طَاهِرًا فَيَتَعَارَّ مِنَ اللَّيْل فَيسْأَل اللَّهُ خَيْرًا إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ إِيَّاهُ» . رَوَاهُ أَحْمد وَأَبُو دَاوُد

Mishkat al-Masabih 1216

Shariq al-Hauzani told that he visited ‘A’isha and asked her what God’s Messenger said first when he rose during the night. Replying that he had asked her a question she had never been asked by anyone before, she said that when he rose during the night he said “God is most great” ten times, “Praise be to God” ten times, “Glory be to God, and praise be to him” ten times, “Glory be to the King most holy” ten times, he asked pardon from God ten times, said “There is no god but God” ten times, then said, “O God, I seek refuge in Thee from the distress of this world and from the distress of the day of resurrection” ten times, then he began the prayer. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنْ شَرِيقٍ الْهَوْزَنِيِّ قَالَ: دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ فَسَأَلْتُهَا: بِمَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَفْتَتِحُ إِذَا هَبَّ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَتْ: سَأَلْتَنِي عَنْ شَيْءٍ مَا سَأَلَنِي عَنْهُ أَحَدٌ قَبْلَكَ كَانَ إِذَا هَبَّ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ كَبَّرَ عَشْرًا وَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ عَشْرًا وَقَالَ: «سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ عَشْرًا» وَقَالَ: «سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ» عشرا واستغفر عشرا وَهَلل عَشْرًا ثُمَّ قَالَ: «اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ ضِيقِ الدُّنْيَا وَضِيقِ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ» عَشْرًا ثمَّ يفْتَتح الصَّلَاة. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Chapter 33c: What one says when one gets up during the night - Section 3

باب ما يقول إذا قام من الليل - الفصل الثالث

Mishkat al-Masabih 1217

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri told that when God’s Messenger got up during the night he said, “God is most great,” then he would say, “Glory be to Thee, O God, and praise be to Thee; blessed be Thy name; exalted be Thine honour; there is no other god but Thee.” Then he would say, “God is most exceeding great;” then say, “I seek refuge in God, the Hearer and Knower, from the accursed devil, from his pricking, his blowing, and his sputtering.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it, Abu Dawud adding after “no other god but Thee,” that he would then say “There is no god but God” three times, and at the end of the tradition, that he would then recite some verses.

عَن أَبِي سَعِيدٍ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ كَبَّرَ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: «سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ» ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: «اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ كَبِيرًا» ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: «أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ السَّمِيعِ الْعَلِيمِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ مِنْ هَمْزِهِ وَنَفْخِهِ وَنَفْثِهِ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَأَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ وَزَادٌ أَبُو دَاوُدَ بَعْدَ قَوْلِهِ: «غَيْرُكَ» ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: «لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ» ثَلَاثًا وَفِي آخر الحَدِيث: ثمَّ يقْرَأ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1218

Rabi'a b. Ka‘b al-Aslami said he used to spend the night near the Prophet’s inner chamber and hear him say when he got up during the night, “Glory be to the Lord of the universe" for a long time. Then he would say, “Glory be to God and praise be to Him" for a longtime. Nasa’i transmitted it, and Tirmidhi who has something similar says that this is a hasan sahih tradition.

وَعَن ربيعَة بن كَعْب الْأَسْلَمِيّ قَالَ: كُنْتُ أَبِيتُ عِنْدَ حُجْرَةِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَكُنْتُ أَسْمَعُهُ إِذَا قَامَ من اللَّيْل يَقُول: «سُبْحَانَ رب الْعَالمين» الْهَوِي ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: «سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ» الْهَوِيِّ. رَوَاهُ النَّسَائِيُّ وَلِلتِّرْمِذِيِّ نَحْوُهُ وَقَالَ: هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيح

Chapter 34a: Encouragement to get up during the Night - Section 1

باب التحريض على قيام الليل - الفصل الأول

Mishkat al-Masabih 1219

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you goes to sleep the devil ties three knots at the back of his neck, sealing every knot with, ‘You have a long night, so sleep’. So if one awakes and mentions God a knot will be loosened, if he performs ablution a knot will be loosened, and if he prays a knot will be loosened, and in the morning he will be active and in good spirits; otherwise he will be in bad spirits and sluggish in the morning.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم قَالَ: " يَعْقِدُ الشَّيْطَانُ عَلَى قَافِيَةِ رَأْسِ أَحَدِكُمْ إِذَا هُوَ نَامَ ثَلَاثَ عُقَدٍ يَضْرِبُ عَلَى كُلِّ عُقْدَةٍ: عَلَيْكَ لَيْلٌ طَوِيلٌ فَارْقُدْ. فَإِنِ اسْتَيْقَظَ فَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ انْحَلَّتْ عُقْدَةٌ فَإِنْ تَوَضَّأَ انْحَلَّتْ عُقْدَةٌ فَإِنْ صَلَّى انْحَلَّتْ عُقْدَةٌ فَأَصْبَحَ نَشِيطًا طيب النَّفس وَإِلَّا أصبح خَبِيث النَّفس كسلانا "

Mishkat al-Masabih 1220

Al-Mughira said that the Prophet (ﷺ) got up at night to such an extent that his feet became swollen. On being asked why he did this when his former and latter sins had been forgiven him, he replied, “Should I not be a grateful servant?” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ قَالَ: قَامَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَتَّى تَوَرَّمَتْ قَدَمَاهُ فَقِيلَ لَهُ: لِمَ تَصْنَعُ هَذَا وَقَدْ غُفِرَ لَكَ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكِ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ؟ قَالَ: «أَفَلَا أَكُونُ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا»

Mishkat al-Masabih 1221

Ibn Mas'ud said that a man was mentioned in the Prophet’s presence, and he was told that he continued sleeping till morning, never having got up to pray. He said, “That is a man in whose ear (or, in whose ears) the devil has urinated.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: ذُكِرَ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ رَجُلٌ فَقيل لَهُ مازال نَائِمًا حَتَّى أَصْبَحَ مَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ قَالَ: «ذَلِكَ رَجُلٌ بَالَ الشَّيْطَانُ فِي أُذُنِهِ» أَو قَالَ: «فِي أُذُنَيْهِ»

Mishkat al-Masabih 1222

Umm Salama said that God’s Messenger awoke one night with a start and said, “Glory be to God. What treasures have been sent down tonight, and what trials have been sent down! Who will waken those who are in the inner chambers (meaning his wives) in order that they may pray? Many a woman who is clothed in this world will be naked in the next.” Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَن أم سَلمَة قَالَتْ: اسْتَيْقَظَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَيْلَةً فَزِعًا يَقُولُ: «سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ مَاذَا أُنْزِلَ اللَّيْلَةَ مِنَ الْخَزَائِنِ؟ وَمَاذَا أُنْزِلَ مِنَ الْفِتَنِ؟ مَنْ يُوقِظُ صَوَاحِبَ الْحُجُرَاتِ» يُرِيدُ أَزْوَاجَهُ «لِكَيْ يُصَلِّينَ؟ رُبَّ كَاسِيَةٍ فِي الدُّنْيَا عَارِيَةٍ فِي الْآخِرَة» أخرجه البُخَارِيّ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1223

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying

Our Lord who is blessed and exalted descends every night to the lowest heaven when two-thirds of the night have passed and says, “Who supplicates me so that I may answer him? Who asks of me so that I may give to him? Who asks my forgiveness so that I may forgive him?” (Bukhari and Muslim.) In a version by Muslim it is said that He then spreads out His hands and says, “Who will lend to One who is neither indigent nor unjust?"* till the dawn breaks. *The lending mentioned here is presumably the doing of good works.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: " يَنْزِلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الْآخِرُ يَقُولُ: مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ؟ مَنْ يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ؟ مَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ؟ " وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ لِمُسْلِمٍ: ثُمَّ يَبْسُطُ يَدَيْهِ وَيَقُولُ: «مَنْ يُقْرِضُ غَيْرَ عَدُومٍ وَلَا ظَلُومٍ؟ حَتَّى ينفجر الْفجْر»

Mishkat al-Masabih 1224

Jabir said he heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say, “There is an hour during the night at which no Muslim man will ask God for good in this world and the next without His giving it to him; and that applies to every night." Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «إِنَّ فِي اللَّيْلِ لَسَاعَةً لَا يُوَافِقُهَا رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ فِيهَا خَيْرًا مِنْ أَمْرِ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاه وَذَلِكَ كل لَيْلَة» رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Mishkat al-Masabih 1225

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The prayer dearest to God is David’s and the fasting dearest to God is David’s. He would sleep half the night, get up to pray for a third of it, then sleep the remaining sixth; and he would fast on alternate days." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَحَبُّ الصَّلَاةِ إِلَى اللَّهِ صَلَاةُ دَاوُدَ وَأَحَبُّ الصِّيَامِ إِلَى اللَّهِ صِيَامُ دَاوُدَ كَانَ يَنَامُ نِصْفَ اللَّيْلِ وَيَقُومُ ثُلُثَهُ وَيَنَامُ سُدُسَهُ وَيَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا»

Mishkat al-Masabih 1226

‘A’isha said that he, meaning God’s Messenger, would sleep in the early part of the night and keep awake in the latter part. If he then wished intercourse with his wife he satisfied his desire, and then went to sleep. If he was sexually defiled when the first call to prayer was made, he would get up and pour water on it, but if not, he performed the ablution for the prayer and then prayed two rak'as. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: كَانَ تَعْنِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَنَامُ أَوَّلَ اللَّيْلِ وَيُحْيِي آخِرَهُ ثُمَّ إِنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ حَاجَةٌ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ قَضَى حَاجَتَهُ ثُمَّ يَنَامُ فَإِنْ كَانَ عِنْدَ النداء الأول جنبا وثب فَأَفَاضَ عَلَيْهِ الماس وَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ جُنُبًا تَوَضَّأَ لِلصَّلَاةِ ثُمَّ صلى رَكْعَتَيْنِ "

Chapter 34b: Encouragement to get up during the Night - Section 2

باب التحريض على قيام الليل - الفصل الثاني

Mishkat al-Masabih 1227

Abu Umama reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Make a practice of getting up at night, for it was the custom of the pious before you, is a means of bringing you near to your Lord, an atonement for evil deeds and a preventative of sin." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «عَلَيْكُمْ بِقِيَامِ اللَّيْلِ فَإِنَّهُ دَأْبُ الصَّالِحِينَ قَبْلَكُمْ وَهُوَ قُرْبَةٌ لَكُمْ إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ وَمَكْفَرَةٌ لِلسَّيِّئَاتِ وَمَنْهَاةٌ عَنِ الْإِثْمِ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1228

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God’s Messenger as saying, “There are three on whom God looks with pleasure

a man when he gets up at night and prays, a company when they draw up in rows in prayer, and a company when they draw up in ranks to fight the enemy." [Baghawi] transmitted it in Sharh as-sunna.

وَعَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: " ثَلَاثَةٌ يَضْحَكُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِمْ الرَّجُلُ إِذَا قَامَ بِاللَّيْلِ يُصَلِّي وَالْقَوْمُ إِذَا صَفُّوا فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَالْقَوْمُ إِذَا صَفُّوا فِي قِتَالِ الْعَدُوِّ. رَوَاهُ فِي شَرْحِ السّنة

Mishkat al-Masabih 1229

‘Amr b. ‘Abasa reported God's Messenger as saying, “The nearest the Lord comes to a servant is in the course of the last part of the night, so if you are able to be among those who make mention of God at that hour, do so." Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying that this is a hasan sahih tradition whose isnad is gharib.

وَعَن عَمْرو بن عبسة قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ الرَّبُّ مِنَ الْعَبْدِ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ الْآخِرِ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِمَّنْ يَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ فِي تِلْكَ السَّاعَةِ فَكُنْ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ: هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ غَرِيب إِسْنَادًا

Mishkat al-Masabih 1230

Abu Huraira' reported God’s Messenger as saying, “God show mercy to a man who gets up during the night and prays, who wakens his wife and she prays, but if she refuses sprinkles the water on her face! God show mercy to a woman who gets up during the night and prays, who wakens her husband and he prays, but if he refuses sprinkles the water on his face!” Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «رَحِمَ اللَّهُ رَجُلًا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَصَلَّى وَأَيْقَظَ امْرَأَتَهُ فَصَلَّتْ فَإِنْ أَبَتْ نَضَحَ فِي وَجْهِهَا الْمَاءَ. رَحِمَ اللَّهُ امْرَأَةً قَامَتْ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَصَلَّتْ وَأَيْقَظَتْ زَوْجَهَا فَصَلَّى فَإِنْ أَبَى نَضَحَتْ فِي وَجْهِهِ المَاء» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد وَالنَّسَائِيّ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1231

Abu Umama said that God’s Messenger was asked which supplication was most readily listened to, and replied, “One made in the course of the latter part of the night, and after the prescribed prayers.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ قَالَ: قِيلَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيُّ الدُّعَاءِ أَسْمَعُ؟ قَالَ: «جَوْفُ اللَّيْلِ الآخر ودبر الصَّلَوَات المكتوبات» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1232, 1233

Abu Malik al-Ash‘ari reported God’s Messenger as saying, “In paradise there are rooms the outside of which can be seen from within and the inside from without which God has prepared for those who speak gently, provide food, observe frequent fasting, and pray during the night when people are asleep.” Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman and Tirmidhi transmitted something similar from ‘Ali. In his version it says “for those who speak pleasantly.”

وَعَنْ أَبِي مَالِكٍ الْأَشْعَرِيِّ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ غُرَفًا يُرَى ظَاهِرُهَا مِنْ بَاطِنِهَا وَبَاطِنُهَا مِنْ ظَاهِرِهَا أَعَدَّهَا اللَّهُ لِمَنْ أَلَانَ الْكَلَامَ وَأَطْعَمَ الطَّعَامَ وَتَابَعَ الصِّيَامَ وَصَلَّى بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نيام» . رَوَاهُ الْبَيْهَقِيّ فِي شعب الْإِيمَان وَرَوَى التِّرْمِذِيُّ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ نَحْوَهُ وَفِي رِوَايَتِهِ: «لمن أطاب الْكَلَام»

Chapter 34c: Encouragement to get up during the Night - Section 3

باب التحريض على قيام الليل - الفصل الثالث

Mishkat al-Masabih 1234

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr b. al-‘As reported God’s Messenger as saying to him, “Don’t be like so and so, ‘Abdallah. He used to get up during the night, then abandoned the practice.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ قَالَ: قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ لَا تَكُنْ مِثْلَ فُلَانٍ كَانَ يَقُومُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَرَكَ قيام اللَّيْل»

Mishkat al-Masabih 1235

‘Uthman b. Abul ‘As said he heard God’s Messenger say

David had an hour during the night in which he would waken his family and say, “Family of David, get up and pray, for this is an hour in which God who is great and glorious answers petitions, except to a magician or a tax-gatherer.” Ahmad transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ أَبِي الْعَاصِ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم يَقُول: " كَانَ لِدَاوُدَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ سَاعَةٌ يُوقِظُ فِيهَا أَهْلَهُ يَقُولُ: يَا آلَ دَاوُدَ قُومُوا فَصَلُّوا فَإِنَّ هَذِهِ سَاعَةٌ يَسْتَجِيبُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِيهَا الدُّعَاءَ إِلَّا لِسَاحِرٍ أَوْ عشار ". رَوَاهُ أَحْمد

Mishkat al-Masabih 1236

Abu Huraira said he heard God’s Messenger say, “The most excellent prayer after that which is obligatory is one in the depth of the night.” Ahmad transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «أَفْضَلُ الصَّلَاةِ بَعْدَ الْمَفْرُوضَةِ صَلَاةٌ فِي جَوف اللَّيْل» . رَوَاهُ أَحْمد

Mishkat al-Masabih 1237

He told of a man who came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, “So and so prays at night, and when morning comes he steals.” He replied, “What you say will restrain him.” Ahmad and Baihaqi, in Shu'ab al-iman, transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: جَاءَ رجل إِلَى النَّبِي صلى فَقَالَ: إِن فلَانا يُصَلِّي بِاللَّيْلِ فَإِذَا أَصْبَحَ سَرَقَ فَقَالَ: إِنَّهُ سَيَنْهَاهُ مَا تَقُولُ. رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ وَالْبَيْهَقِيُّ فِي شُعَبِ الْإِيمَانِ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1238

Abu Sa'id and Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When a man wakens his wife* during the night and they pray (or he prays) two rak'as together, they are recorded among the men and women who make mention of God.” * The Arabic word is ahl which means “people” or “family”, and sometimes "wife. As the dual is used about them praying together, it obviously means “wife” here; but in Ibn ‘Umar’s tradition below the plural is used, and so the word is there translated “family”. Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَا: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِذا أَيْقَظَ الرَّجُلُ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَصَلَّيَا أَوْ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ جَمِيعًا كُتِبَا فِي الذَّاكِرِينَ وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد وَابْن مَاجَه

Mishkat al-Masabih 1239

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The nobles among my people are those, who know the Qur’an by heart and those who pray during the night.” Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَشْرَافُ أُمَّتَيْ حَمَلَةُ الْقُرْآنِ وَأَصْحَابُ اللَّيْلِ» . رَوَاهُ الْبَيْهَقِيُّ فِي شُعَبِ الْإِيمَان

Mishkat al-Masabih 1240

Ibn ‘Umar said that his father ‘Umar b. al-Khattab used to pray during the night what God wished, then during the latter part of the night he woke his family for prayer saying to them, “Come to prayer.” Then he would recite this verse, “And command your family to observe the prayer, and be constant in it. We do not ask you for provision; We provide you, and the issue pertains to piety” (Al-Qur'an; 20

132). Malik transmitted it.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ أَنَّ أَبَاهُ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ كَانَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ أَيْقَظَ أَهْلَهُ لِلصَّلَاةِ يَقُولُ لَهُمْ: الصَّلَاةُ ثُمَّ يَتْلُو هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ: (وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا لَا نَسْأَلُكَ رِزْقًا نَحن نرزقك وَالْعَاقبَة للتقوى) رَوَاهُ مَالك

Chapter 35a: Moderation in what is done - Section 1

باب القصد في العمل - الفصل الأول

Mishkat al-Masabih 1241

Anas said, “God's Messenger used to break his fast during a month so that we imagined he had not fasted during it at all, and he fasted so that we imagined he had not broken it. You did not wish to see him praying during the night without doing so, or sleeping without doing so.” Bukhari transmitted it.

عَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُفْطِرُ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ حَتَّى يُظَنَّ أَنْ لَا يَصُومَ مِنْهُ وَيَصُومُ حَتَّى يُظَنَّ أَنْ لَا يُفْطِرَ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا وَكَانَ لَا تَشَاءُ أَنْ تَرَاهُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ مُصَلِّيًا إِلَّا رَأَيْتَهُ وَلَا نَائِمًا إِلَّا رَأَيْتَهُ. رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1242

‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The acts most pleasing to God are those which are done most continuously, even if they amount to little.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى الله أدومها وَإِن قل»

Mishkat al-Masabih 1243

She reported God’s Messenger as saying; “Choose such actions as you are capable of performing, for God does not grow weary till you do.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «خُذُوا مِنَ الْأَعْمَالِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يمل حَتَّى تملوا»

Mishkat al-Masabih 1244

Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “One should pray as long as he is lively, but when he slackens he should stop.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: " لِيُصَلِّ أَحَدُكُمْ نَشَاطَهُ وَإِذَا فَتَرَ فَلْيَقْعُدْ)

Mishkat al-Masabih 1245

‘A'isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you dozes while praying he should fall over till he has slept enough, for when one of you prays while dozing he does not know whether he may be asking pardon and vilifying himself. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِذَا نَعَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ وَهُوَ يُصَلِّي فَلْيَرْقُدْ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ عَنْهُ النَّوْمُ فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا صَلَّى وَهُوَ نَاعِسٌ لَا يدْرِي لَعَلَّه يسْتَغْفر فيسب نَفسه»

Mishkat al-Masabih 1246

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The religion is ease, but if anyone overdoes it it gets the better of him; so keep to the right course, approximate to perfection, rejoice, and ask help in the morning, the evening, and some of the latter part of the night.” Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ الدِّينَ يُسْرٌ وَلَنْ يُشَادَّ الدِّينَ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا غَلَبَهُ فَسَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالْغَدْوَةِ وَالرَّوْحَةِ وَشَيْءٍ مِنَ الدُّلْجَةِ» . رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1247

‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Should anyone fall asleep and fail to recite his portion of the Qur’an or a part of it, if he recites it between the dawn and the noon prayer it will be recorded for him as though he had recited it during the night.” Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَن عمر رَضِي الله ع نه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ نَامَ عَنْ حِزْبِهِ أَوْ عَنْ شَيْءٍ مِنْهُ فَقَرَأَهُ فِيمَا بَيْنَ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ وَصَلَاةِ الظُّهْرِ كُتِبَ لَهُ كَأَنَّمَا قَرَأَهُ مِنَ اللَّيْل» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Mishkat al-Masabih 1248

‘Imran b. Husain reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Pray standing, but if you are unable, do it sitting; and if you are unable to do that, do it lying on your side.” Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم قَائِمًا فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَقَاعِدًا فَإِنْ لَمْ تستطع فعلى جنب» . رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1249

He said he asked the Prophet (ﷺ) about a man who prays sitting, and he replied, “If he prays standing that is more excellent; but one who prays sitting has half the reward of one who stands, and one who prays lying down has half the reward of one who sits.” Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَن عمرَان بن حُصَيْن: أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ صَلَاةِ الرَّجُلِ قَاعِدًا. قَالَ: «إِنْ صَلَّى قَائِمًا فَهُوَ أَفْضَلُ وَمَنْ صَلَّى قَاعِدًا فَلَهُ نِصْفُ أَجْرِ الْقَائِمِ وَمَنْ صَلَّى نَائِمًا فَلَهُ نصف أجل الْقَاعِد» . رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Chapter 35b: Moderation in what is done - Section 2

باب القصد في العمل - الفصل الثاني

Mishkat al-Masabih 1250

Abu Umama told of his hearing God’s Messenger say, “If anyone goes to bed in a state of purity and makes mention of God till drowsiness overtakes him, he will not turn round at any time during the night and ask God at that time for some of the good of this world and the next without His giving it to him.” Nawawi mentioned it in Kitab al-adhkar by the transmission of Ibn as-Sunni.

عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «مَنْ أَوَى إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ طَاهِرًا وَذَكَرَ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يُدْرِكَهُ النُّعَاسُ لَمْ يَتَقَلَّبْ سَاعَةً مِنَ اللَّيْلِ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ فِيهَا خَيْرًا مِنْ خَيْرِ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُ» . ذَكَرَهُ النَّوَوِيُّ فِي كِتَابِ الْأَذْكَارِ بِرِوَايَةِ ابْنِ السّني

Mishkat al-Masabih 1251

‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud reported God’s Messenger as saying

Our Lord is pleased with two men. One is a man who gets up from his blanket and his covering from among his beloved and his family to engage in prayer. God says to His angels, “Look at my servant who has got up from his bedding and his blanket from among his beloved and his family to engage in his prayer out of desire for what is with me and fear of what is with me.” The other is a man who goes out on an expedition in God’s path and is routed along with his companions, but who, knowing what responsibility will rest upon him for being routed and what reward he will receive for going back, returns with the result that his blood is spilt. God says to His angels, “Look at my servant who returned out of desire for what is with me and fear of what is with me with the result that his blood was spilt.” [Baghawi] transmitted it in Sharh as-sunna.

وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: " عَجِبَ رَبُّنَا مِنْ رَجُلَيْنِ رَجُلٌ ثَارَ عَنْ وِطَائِهِ وَلِحَافِهِ مِنْ بَيْنِ حِبِّهِ وَأَهْلِهِ إِلَى صَلَاتِهِ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ لِمَلَائِكَتِهِ: انْظُرُوا إِلَى عَبْدِي ثَارَ عَنْ فِرَاشِهِ وَوِطَائِهِ مِنْ بَيْنِ حِبِّهِ وَأَهْلِهِ إِلَى صَلَاتِهِ رَغْبَةً فِيمَا عِنْدِي وَشَفَقًا مِمَّا عِنْدِي وَرَجُلٌ غَزَا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَانْهَزَمَ مَعَ أَصْحَابِهِ فَعَلِمَ مَا عَلَيْهِ فِي الِانْهِزَامِ وَمَا لَهُ فِي الرُّجُوعِ فَرَجَعَ حَتَّى هُرِيقَ دَمُهُ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ لِمَلَائِكَتِهِ: انْظُرُوا إِلَى عَبْدِي رَجَعَ رَغْبَةً فِيمَا عِنْدِي وَشَفَقًا مِمَّا عِنْدِي حَتَّى هُرِيقَ دَمُهُ ". رَوَاهُ فِي شَرْحِ السُّنَّةِ

Chapter 35c: Moderation in what is done - Section 3

باب القصد في العمل - الفصل الثالث

Mishkat al-Masabih 1252

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr said

I was told that God’s Messenger had said, “Prayer engaged in by a man while sitting counts as half the prayer,” so I went to him and I found him praying while sitting, and I put my hand on his head. He said, “What is the matter with you, ‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr? ’’ I replied, “I have been told, Messenger of God, that you said that prayer engaged in by a man while sitting counts as half the prayer, yet you yourself are praying while sitting.” He said, “Yes, but I am not like one of you.” Muslim transmitted it.

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو قَالَ: حُدِّثْتُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «صَلَاةُ الرَّجُلِ قَاعِدًا نِصْفُ الصَّلَاةِ» قَالَ: فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَوَجَدْتُهُ يُصَلِّي جَالِسًا فَوَضَعْتُ يَدِي عَلَى رَأسه فَقَالَ: «مَالك يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو؟» قُلْتُ: حُدِّثْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنَّكَ قُلْتَ: «صَلَاةُ الرَّجُلِ قَاعِدًا عَلَى نِصْفِ الصَّلَاةِ» وَأَنْتَ تُصَلِّي قَاعِدًا قَالَ: «أَجَلْ وَلَكِنِّي لَسْتُ كَأَحَدٍ مِنْكُمْ» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Mishkat al-Masabih 1253

Salim b. Abul Ja'd told of a man of Khuza'a saying, “I wish I had prayed and been at rest.” When the people seemed to disapprove of his saying that, he replied that he had heard God’s Messenger say, “Declare that the time for prayer has come, Bilal, and give us rest by it.”* * This probably means that prayer brings peace of mind. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَن سَالم بن أبي الْجَعْد قَالَ: قَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ خُزَاعَةَ: لَيْتَنِي صَلَّيْتُ فَاسْتَرَحْتُ فَكَأَنَّهُمْ عَابُوا ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُول: «أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ يَا بِلَالُ أَرِحْنَا بِهَا» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Chapter 36a: The Witr - Section 1

باب الوتر - الفصل الأول

Mishkat al-Masabih 1254

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Prayer during the night should consist of pairs of rak'as, but if one of you fears the morning is near he should pray one rak'a which will make his prayer an odd number for him.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «صَلَاةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى فَإِذَا خَشِيَ أَحَدُكُمُ الصُّبْحَ صَلَّى رَكْعَةً وَاحِدَة توتر لَهُ مَا قد صلى»

Mishkat al-Masabih 1255

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The witr* is a rak'a at the end of the night.” * Literally ‘single’, or ‘odd’, used of an odd number of rak'as prayed at some time during the night. Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «الْوَتْرُ رَكْعَةٌ مِنْ آخر اللَّيْل» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Mishkat al-Masabih 1256

‘A’isha said that God’s Messenger used to pray thirteen rak'as during the night, observing a witr out of that with five, and sitting only during the last of them. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ ثَلَاثَ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً يُوتِرُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِخَمْسٍ لَا يَجْلِسُ فِي شَيْء إِلَّا فِي آخرهَا "

Mishkat al-Masabih 1257

Sa‘d b. Hisham said

I went to ‘A’isha and said, “Mother of the faithful, tell me about the nature of God’s Messenger.” She asked, “Do you not recite the Qur’an?” On my replying that I certainly did, she said, “The Prophet’s nature was the Qur’an.”* I said, “Mother of the faithful, tell me about the witr of God’s Messenger.” She replied, “I used to prepare his toothstick and his water for ablution, and God would rouse him to the extent He wished during the night. He would use the toothstick, perform ablution, and pray nine rak'as, sitting only during the eighth of them, then he would make mention of God, praise and supplicate Him, then he would get up without uttering the salutation and pray the ninth. After that he would sit, make mention of God, praise and supplicate Him, then utter a salutation loud enough for me to hear. He would then pray two rak'as sitting after uttering the salutation, and that made eleven rak'as, sonny. But when God’s Messenger grew old and became fleshy he observed a witr of seven, doing in the two rak'as, as he had done formerly, and that made nine, sonny. When God’s prophet prayed a prayer he liked to keep on observing it, but when sleep or pain made it impossible for him to get up during the night; he prayed twelve rak'as during the day. I am not aware of God’s prophet having recited the whole Qur’an in a night, or praying through a whole night till morning, or fasting a complete month, except Ramadan.” *i.e. the good characteristics included in the Qur’an were shown by the Prophet (ﷺ) in his own life. Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَن سعد بن هِشَام قَالَ انْطَلَقْتُ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ فَقُلْتُ يَا أُمَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْبِئِينِي عَنْ خُلُقِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَتْ: أَلَسْتَ تَقْرَأُ الْقُرْآنَ؟ قُلْتُ: بَلَى. قَالَتْ: فَإِنَّ خُلُقَ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ الْقُرْآنَ. قُلْتُ: يَا أُمَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْبِئِينِي عَنْ وَتْرِ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَتْ: كُنَّا نُعِدُّ لَهُ سِوَاكَهُ وَطَهُورَهُ فَيَبْعَثُهُ اللَّهُ مَا شَاءَ أَنْ يَبْعَثَهُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَيَتَسَوَّكُ وَيَتَوَضَّأُ وَيُصَلِّي تِسْعَ رَكَعَاتٍ لَا يَجْلِسُ فِيهَا إِلَّا فِي الثَّامِنَةِ فَيَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ وَيَحْمَدُهُ وَيَدْعُوهُ ثُمَّ يَنْهَضُ وَلَا يُسَلِّمُ فَيُصَلِّي التَّاسِعَةَ ثُمَّ يَقْعُدُ فَيَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ وَيَحْمَدُهُ وَيَدْعُوهُ ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ تَسْلِيمًا يُسْمِعُنَا ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَمَا يُسَلِّمُ وَهُوَ قَاعد فَتلك إِحْدَى عشرَة رَكْعَة يابني فَلَمَّا أَسَنَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَأَخَذَ اللَّحْمَ أَوْتَرَ بِسَبْعٍ وَصَنَعَ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ مِثْلَ صَنِيعِهِ فِي الْأُولَى فَتِلْكَ تِسْعٌ يَا بُنَيَّ وَكَانَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا صَلَّى صَلَاةً أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُدَاوِمَ عَلَيْهَا وَكَانَ إِذَا غَلَبَهُ نَوْمٌ أَوْ وَجَعٌ عَنْ قِيَامِ اللَّيْلِ صَلَّى مِنَ النَّهَارِ ثِنْتَيْ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً وَلَا أَعْلَمُ نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ كُلَّهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ وَلَا صَلَّى لَيْلَةً إِلَى الصُّبْحِ وَلَا صَامَ شهرا كَامِلا غير رَمَضَان. رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Mishkat al-Masabih 1258

Ibn ‘Umar reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, "Make the last of your prayer at night a witr.” Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «اجْعَلُوا آخِرَ صَلَاتِكُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وترا» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Mishkat al-Masabih 1259

He reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, "Hasten to pray a witr before morning.” Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «بَادرُوا الصُّبْح بالوتر» . وَرَاه مُسلم

Mishkat al-Masabih 1260

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying, "If anyone is afraid that he may not get up in the latter part of the night, he should observe a witr in the first part of it; and if anyone is eager to get up in the last part of it he should observe a witr at the end of the night, for prayer at the end of the night is attended by the angels, and that is most excellent.” Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ خَافَ أَنْ لَا يَقُومَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ فَلْيُوتِرْ أَوَّلَهُ وَمَنْ طَمِعَ أَنْ يَقُومَ آخِرَهُ فَلْيُوتِرْ آخِرَ اللَّيْلِ فَإِنَّ صَلَاةَ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ مَشْهُودَةٌ وَذَلِكَ أَفْضَلُ» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Mishkat al-Masabih 1261

‘A’isha said that during the whole night God’s Messenger observed, a witr at the beginning, middle and end, his witr finishing at dawn. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: مِنْ كُلَّ اللَّيْلِ أَوْتَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مِنْ أَوَّلِ اللَّيْلِ وَأَوْسَطِهِ وَآخِرِهِ وَانْتَهَى وَتْرُهُ إِلَى السَّحَرِ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1262

Abu Huraira said, ‘‘My friend* instructed me to observe three practices

to fast three days every month, to pray two rak'as in the forenoon, and to observe a witr before going to sleep.” *i.e. the Prophet. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: أَوْصَانِي خَلِيلِي بِثَلَاثٍ: صِيَامِ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّام من كل شهر وركعتي الضُّحَى وَأَن أوتر قبل أَن أَنَام

Chapter 36b: The Witr - Section 2

باب الوتر - الفصل الثاني

Mishkat al-Masabih 1263

Ghudaif b. al-Harith said

I asked ‘A’isha whether she had seen God’s Messenger bathing because of sexual defilement in the early or the latter part of the night, and she replied, ‘‘He often bathed in the early part of the night and often in the latter part.” Thereupon I said, "God is most great. Praise be to God who has given latitude in the matter! ” I then asked whether he observed a witr in the early or the latter part of the night, and she replied, "He often observed it in the early part and often in the latter part of the night.” Thereupon I said, “God is most great. Praise be to God who has given latitude in the matter! ” I then asked whether he recited the Qur’an in a loud or in a low voice, and she replied, “He often recited it in a loud voice and often in a low voice.” Thereupon I said, “God is most great. Praise be to God who has given latitude in the matter!” Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted the last section.

عَن غُضَيْف بن الْحَارِث قَالَ: قُلْتُ لِعَائِشَةَ: أَرَأَيْتِ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَغْتَسِلُ مِنَ الْجَنَابَةِ فِي أَوَّلِ اللَّيْلِ أَمْ فِي آخِرِهِ؟ قَالَتْ: رُبَّمَا اغْتَسَلَ فِي أَوَّلِ اللَّيْلِ وَرُبَّمَا اغْتَسَلَ فِي آخِرِهِ قُلْتُ: اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي جَعَلَ فِي الْأَمْرِ سَعَةً قُلْتُ: كَانَ يُوتِرُ أَوَّلَ اللَّيْلِ أَمْ فِي آخِرِهِ؟ قَالَتْ: رُبَّمَا أَوْتَرَ فِي أَوَّلِ اللَّيْلِ وَرُبَّمَا أَوْتَرَ فِي آخِرِهِ قُلْتُ: اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي جَعَلَ فِي الْأَمْرِ سَعَةً قُلْتُ: كَانَ يَجْهَرُ بِالْقِرَاءَةِ أَمْ يَخْفُتُ؟ قَالَتْ: رُبَّمَا جَهَرَ بِهِ وَرُبَّمَا خَفَتَ قُلْتُ: اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي جَعَلَ فِي الْأَمْرِ سَعَةً. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَرَوَى ابْنُ مَاجَهْ الْفَصْلَ الْأَخِيرَ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1264

‘Abdallah b. Abu Qais said he asked ‘A’isha how many rak'as God’s Messenger prayed when observing a witr and she replied, “He used to observe a witr with four and three, six and three, eight and three, and ten and three, never observing one with less than seven or more than thirteen.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَن عبد الله بن أبي قيس قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ: بِكَمْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُوتِرُ؟ قَالَتْ: كَانَ يُوتِرُ بِأَرْبَعٍ وَثَلَاثٍ وَسِتٍّ وَثَلَاثٍ وَثَمَانٍ وَثَلَاثٍ وَعَشْرٍ وَثَلَاثٍ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ يُوتِرُ بِأَنْقَصَ مِنْ سَبْعٍ وَلَا بِأَكْثَرَ مِنْ ثَلَاث عشرَة. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Mishkat al-Masabih 1265

Abu Ayyub reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The witr is a duty for every Muslim, so if anyone wishes to observe it with five rak'as he may do so; if anyone wishes to observe it with three he may do so; and if anyone wishes to observe it with one he may do so.” Abu Dawud, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «الْوَتْرُ حَقٌّ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ فَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوتِرَ بِخَمْسٍ فَلْيَفْعَلْ وَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوتِرَ بِثَلَاثٍ فَلْيَفْعَلْ وَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوتِرَ بِوَاحِدَةٍ فَلْيَفْعَلْ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد وَالنَّسَائِيّ وَابْن مَاجَه

Mishkat al-Masabih 1266

‘Ali reported God’s Messenger as saying, “God is single (witr) and loves what is single, so observe the witr, you who follow the Qur’an.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَلِيٍّ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَتْرٌ يُحِبُّ الْوَتْرَ فَأَوْتِرُوا يَا أَهْلَ الْقُرْآنِ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَأَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالنَّسَائِيّ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1267

Kharija b. Hudhafa told of God’s Messenger coming out to them and saying, “God has given you an extra prayer which is better for you than the high-bred camels,* the witr, which God has appointed for you between the evening prayer and the daybreak.” * Literally “the red ones of the camels.” These were considered to be the best quality. Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَن خَارِجَة بن حذافة قَالَ: خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَقَالَ: " إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَمَدَّكُمْ بِصَلَاةٍ هِيَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ مِنْ حُمْرِ النِّعَمِ: الْوَتْرُ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ فِيمَا بَيْنَ صَلَاةِ الْعِشَاءِ إِلَى أَنْ يَطْلُعَ الْفَجْرُ ". رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَأَبُو دَاوُد

Mishkat al-Masabih 1268

Zaid b. Aslam reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If any of you oversleeps and misses his witr, he should observe it in the morning.” Tirmidhi transmitted it in mursal form.

وَعَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ نَامَ عَنْ وَتْرِهِ فَلْيُصَلِّ إِذَا أَصْبَحَ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ مُرْسلا

Mishkat al-Masabih 1269, 1270, 1271, 1272

‘Abd al-‘Aziz b. Juraij said he asked ‘A’isha what Qur’an passages God’s Messenger used when observing the witr and she replied

In the first rak'a he recited, “Glorify the name of your most high Lord,”1 in the second, “Say, O infidels,”2 and in the third, “Say, He is God, One,”3 and al-Mu‘awwidhatan.4 1. Al-Qur’an; 87 2. Al-Qur’an; 109 3. Al-Qur’an; 112 4. Al-Qur’an; 113-114 Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it. Nasa’i transmitted it from ‘Abd ar-Rahman b. Abza, Ahmad from Ubayy b. Ka‘b, and Darimi from Ibn ‘Abbas, but the last two did not mention al-Mu'awwidhatan.

وَعَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ بْنِ جُرَيْجٍ قَالَ: سَأَلْنَا عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا بِأَيِّ شَيْءٍ كَانَ يُوتِرُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ؟ قَالَتْ: كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي الْأُولَى بِ (سَبِّحِ اسْم رَبك الْأَعْلَى) وَفِي الثَّانِيَةِ بِ (قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ) وَفَى الثَّالِثَةِ بِ (قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أحد) والمعوذتين وَرَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ وَأَبُو دَاوُد وَرَوَاهُ النَّسَائِيُّ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبْزَى وَرَوَاهُ ألأحمد عَن أبي بن كَعْب والدارمي عَن ابْن عَبَّاس وَلم يذكرُوا والمعوذتين

Mishkat al-Masabih 1273

Al-Hasan b. ‘Ali said

God’s Messenger taught me some words to say when standing in supplication during the witr. They were, “O God, guide me among those Thou hast guided, grant me security among those Thou hast granted security, take me into Thy charge among those Thou hast taken into Thy charge, bless me in what Thou hast given, guard me from the evil of what Thou hast decreed, for Thou dost decree and nothing is decreed for Thee. He whom Thou befriendest is not humbled. Blessed and exalted art Thou, our Lord.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

وَعَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: عَلَّمَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَلِمَاتٍ أَقُولُهُنَّ فِي قُنُوتِ الْوَتْرِ: «اللَّهُمَّ اهدني فِيمَن هديت وَعَافنِي فِيمَن عافيت وتولني فِيمَن توليت وَبَارك لي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْت وقني شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْك أَنه لَا يذل من واليت تَبَارَكت رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَأَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ وَابْنُ مَاجَهْ والدارمي

Mishkat al-Masabih 1274, 1275

Ubayy b. Ka'b said that when God’s Messenger gave the salutation in the witr he said, “Glory be to the King most holy.” Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it, Nasa’i adding that he said it three times, prolonging the words. In a version by Nasa’i from ‘Abd ar-Rahman b. Abza from his father, he said that he used to say three times when he uttered that salutation, “Glory be to the King most holy”, raising his voice when saying it the third time.

وَعَنْ أُبَيِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا سَلَّمَ فِي الْوتر قَالَ: «سُبْحَانَكَ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ» رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ وَزَادَ: ثَلَاث مَرَّات يُطِيل فِي آخِرهنَّ وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ لِلنَّسَائِيِّ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبْزَى عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ: كَانَ يَقُولُ إِذَا سَلَّمَ: «سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ» ثَلَاثًا وَيَرْفَعُ صَوْتَهُ بالثالثة

Mishkat al-Masabih 1276

‘Ali said that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say at the end of his witr, “O God, I seek refuge in Thy good pleasure from Thine anger, and in Thy forgiveness from Thy punishment, and I seek refuge in Thy mercy from Thy wrath.* I cannot reckon the praise due to Thee. Thou art as Thou hast glorified Thyself.” * Literally ‘in Thee from Thee’. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَلِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَقُولُ فِي آخِرِ وَتْرِهِ: «اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِرِضَاكَ من سخطك وبمعافاتك من عُقُوبَتك وَأَعُوذ بك مِنْكَ لَا أُحْصِي ثَنَاءً عَلَيْكَ أَنْتَ كَمَا أَثْنَيْتَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ وَابْنُ مَاجَهْ

Chapter 36c: The Witr - Section 3

باب الوتر - الفصل الثالث

Mishkat al-Masabih 1277

Ibn ‘Abbas, on being asked whether he approved of the Commander of the Faithful, Mu'awiya, using only one rak'a in the witr, replied, “He is right; he is versed in the law.” In a version Ibn Abu Mulaika said that Mu'awiya observed a witr after the evening prayer with one rak'u when a client of Ibn ‘Abbas was with him. He went to Ibn ‘Abbas and told him, but he replied, “Leave him alone, for he was a companion of the Prophet.” Bukhari transmitted it.

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قِيلَ لَهُ: هَلْ لَكَ فِي أَمِير الْمُؤمنِينَ مُعَاوِيَة فَإِنَّهُ مَا أَوْتَرَ إِلَّا بِوَاحِدَةٍ؟ قَالَ: أَصَابَ إِنَّهُ فَقِيهٌ وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ: قَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي مُلَيْكَةَ: أَوْتَرَ مُعَاوِيَةُ بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ بِرَكْعَةٍ وَعِنْدَهُ مَوْلًى لِابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ فَأَتَى ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ فَأَخْبَرَهُ فَقَالَ: دَعْهُ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ صَحِبَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1278

Buraida said he heard God’s Messenger say, “The witr is a duty, so he who does not observe it does not belong to us; the witr is a duty, so he who does not observe it does not belong to us; the witr is a duty, so he who does not observe it does not belong to us.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَن بُرَيْدَة قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «الْوَتْرُ حَقٌّ فَمَنْ لَمْ يُوتِرْ فَلَيْسَ مِنَّا الْوَتْرُ حَقٌّ فَمَنْ لَمْ يُوتِرْ فَلَيْسَ مِنَّا الْوَتْرُ حَقٌّ فَمَنْ لَمْ يُوتِرْ فَلَيْسَ مِنَّا» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1279

Abu Sa'id reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone over-sleeps and misses the witr, or forgets it, he should pray when he remembers and when he awakes.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم: «من نَام عَن الْوِتْرِ أَوْ نَسِيَهُ فَلْيُصَلِّ إِذَا ذَكَرَ أَوْ إِذا اسْتَيْقَظَ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ أَبُو دَاوُد وَابْن مَاجَه

Mishkat al-Masabih 1280

Malik said he heard that a man asked Ibn ‘Umar whether the witr was obligatory, and ‘Abdallah said, “God’s Messenger observed the witr and the Muslims observed the witr.” The man kept repeating his question and ‘Abdallah kept saying, “God’s Messenger observed the witr and the Muslims observed the witr.” He transmitted it in al-Muwatta.

وَعَنْ مَالِكٍ بَلَغَهُ أَنَّ رَجُلًا سَأَلَ ابْنَ عُمَرَ عَنِ الْوِتْرِ: أَوَاجِبٌ هُوَ؟ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ: قَدْ أَوْتَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَأَوْتَرَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ. فَجَعَلَ الرَّجُلُ يُرَدِّدُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ يَقُولُ: أَوْتَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَأَوْتَرَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ. رَوَاهُ فِي الْمُوَطَّأ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1281

‘Ali said that God’s Messenger used to pray three rak'as when observing the witr, reciting nine suras from al-Mufassal in the course of them, three in each rak'a, the last of them being “Say, He is God, One” (Al-Qur’an; 112). Tirmidhi transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَلِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُوتِرُ بِثَلَاثٍ يَقْرَأُ فِيهِنَّ بِتِسْعِ سُوَرٍ مِنَ الْمُفَصَّلِ يَقْرَأُ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَةٍ بِثَلَاثِ سُوَرٍ آخِرُهُنَّ: (قل هوا لله أحد) رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1282

Nafi' said, “I was with Ibn ‘Umar in Mecca when the sky was cloudy and he was afraid the morning might have come, so he observed a witr with one rak'a. The sky then cleared and he saw that it was still night, so he made it a pair by praying one rak'a; then he prayed series of two rak'as, and when he was afraid morning was near he observed a witr with one.” Malik transmitted it.

وَعَنْ نَافِعٍ قَالَ: كُنْتُ مَعَ ابْنِ عُمَرَ بِمَكَّةَ وَالسَّمَاءُ مُغَيِّمَةٌ فَخَشِيَ الصُّبْحَ فَأَوْتَرَ بِوَاحِدَةٍ ثُمَّ انْكَشَفَ فَرَأَى أَنَّ عَلَيْهِ لَيْلًا فَشَفَعَ بِوَاحِدَةٍ ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَلَمَّا خَشِيَ الصُّبْح أوتر بِوَاحِدَة. رَوَاهُ مَالك

Mishkat al-Masabih 1283

‘A’isha said that God’s Messenger used to pray sitting, and would recite the Qur’an while sitting; then when about thirty or forty verses of his recitation remained he stood up and recited while standing. Then he bowed, then he prostrated himself, and after that he did the same kind of thing in the second rak'a. Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ: أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يُصَلِّي جَالِسًا فَيَقْرَأُ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ فَإِذَا بَقِيَ مِنْ قِرَاءَتِهِ قَدْرُ مَا يَكُونُ ثَلَاثِينَ أَوْ أَرْبَعِينَ آيَةً قَامَ وَقَرَأَ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ ثُمَّ سَجَدَ ثُمَّ يَفْعَلُ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ. رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Mishkat al-Masabih 1284

Umm Salama said the Prophet (ﷺ) used to pray two rak'as after the witr. Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Ibn Majah added that they were short ones which he prayed while sitting.

وَعَنْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «كَانَ يُصَلِّي بَعْدَ الْوِتْرِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ» رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَزَادَ ابْنُ مَاجَه: خفيفتين وَهُوَ جَالس

Mishkat al-Masabih 1285

‘A’isha said that God’s Messenger used to observe a witr with one rak'a, then he performed two rak'as reciting the Qur’an in the course of them seated. When he wished to bow, he stood up and bowed. Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُوتِرُ بِوَاحِدَةٍ ثُمَّ يَرْكَعُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ يَقْرَأُ فِيهِمَا وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ فَإِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ قَامَ فَرَكَعَ. رَوَاهُ ابْن مَاجَه

Mishkat al-Masabih 1286

Thauban reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “This wakefulness is a toil and a burden, so when one of you observes a witr he should pray two rak'as. If he gets up during the night, well and good; otherwise they will serve for him." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

وَعَنْ ثَوْبَانَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «إِنَّ هَذَا السَّهَرَ جُهْدٌ وَثِقَلٌ فَإِذَا أَوْتَرَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَإِنْ قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ وَإِلَّا كَانَتَا لَهُ» . رَوَاهُ الدَّارِمِيُّ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1287

Abu Umama said the Prophet (ﷺ) used to pray the two of them after the witr seated, and recited in the course of them, “When the earth is shaken’’, 1 and "Say, O infidels."2 Al-Qur’an; 99 Al-Qur’an; 109 Ahmad transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ: أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يُصَلِّيهِمَا بَعْدَ الْوِتْرِ وَهُوَ جَالس يقْرَأ فيهمَا (إِذا زلزلت) و (قل يَا أَيهَا الْكَافِرُونَ) رَوَاهُ أَحْمد

Chapter 37a: Humble Supplication - Section 1

باب القنوت - الفصل الأول

Mishkat al-Masabih 1288

Abu Huraira said that when God’s Messenger wished to invoke a curse or a blessing on someone he stood in supplication after bowing, and when he said, “God listens to him who praises Him,” he often said, “Praise be to Thee, our Lord! O God, rescue al-Walid b. al-Walid, Salama b. Hisham and ‘Ayyash b. Abu Rabi'a.1 O God, trample severely on Mudar and cause them a famine like that of Joseph,”2 saying that in a loud voice. And he would sometimes say in the course of his prayer, “O God, curse so and so and so and so of the tribes of the Arabs,” till God revealed, “You have nothing to do with the matter. . .”3 1. These were men who were persecuted for their faith and held prisoners. 2. The famine in the time of Joseph lasted seven years. 3. Al-Qur’an; 3

128. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ: أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَدْعُوَ عَلَى أَحَدٍ أَوْ يَدْعُوَ لِأَحَدٍ قَنَتَ بَعْدَ الرُّكُوعِ فَرُبَّمَا قَالَ إِذَا قَالَ: " سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ: اللَّهُمَّ أَنْج الْوَلِيد بن الْوَلِيد وَسَلَمَة ابْن هِشَام وَعَيَّاش بن رَبِيعَةَ اللَّهُمَّ اشْدُدْ وَطْأَتَكَ عَلَى مُضَرَ وَاجْعَلْهَا سِنِينَ كَسِنِي يُوسُفَ " يَجْهَرُ بِذَلِكَ وَكَانَ يَقُولُ فِي بَعْضِ صَلَاتِهِ: " اللَّهُمَّ الْعَنْ فُلَانًا وَفُلَانًا لِأَحْيَاءٍ مِنَ الْعَرَبِ حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ: (لَيْسَ لَك من الْأَمر شَيْء) الْآيَة)

Mishkat al-Masabih 1289

‘Asim al-Ahwal said

I asked Anas b. Malik whether the humble supplication1 during the prayer was before or after bowing and he replied, “Before it; God’s Messenger observed it after bowing only for a month. He had sent out some people called Qur’an readers, to the number of seventy, on an expedition and they were smitten,2 so for a month God’s Messenger stood in humble supplication after bowing, invoking a curse on their murderers.” 1. The Arabic is qunut, which means 'being obedient’, or 'the act of standing’. It is used of certain supplications in the witr or at other times, but there is some disagreement about when these supplications may be made. The traditions in this chapter deal with the appropriate times. 2. The reference is to an incident at Bi’r Ma'una in 4 A.H. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَن عَاصِم الْأَحول قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ عَنِ الْقُنُوتِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ كَانَ قَبْلَ الرُّكُوعِ أَوْ بَعْدَهُ؟ قَالَ: قَبْلَهُ إِنَّمَا قَنَتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَعْدُ الرُّكُوعِ شَهْرًا إِنَّهُ كَانَ بَعَثَ أُنَاسًا يُقَالُ لَهُمْ الْقُرَّاءُ سَبْعُونَ رَجُلًا فَأُصِيبُوا فَقَنَتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَعْدُ الرُّكُوعِ شَهْرًا يَدْعُو عَلَيْهِمْ

Chapter 37b: Humble Supplication - Section 2

باب القنوت - الفصل الثاني

Mishkat al-Masabih 1290

Ibn ‘Abbas said that God’s Messenger stood in humble supplication daily for a month at the noon, afternoon; sunset, evening and morning prayer when he said, “God listens to him who praises Him” in the last rak'a, invoking a curse on some clans of the B. Sulaim, Ri‘l, Dhakwan and ‘Usayya, and those standing behind him said Amen. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: قَنَتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ شَهْرًا مُتَتَابِعًا فِي الظّهْر وَالْعصر وَالْمغْرب وَالْعشَاء وَصَلَاة الصُّبْح إِذا قَالَ: «سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ» مِنَ الرَّكْعَةِ الْآخِرَة يَدْعُو عَلَى أَحْيَاءٍ مَنْ بَنِي سُلَيْمٍ: عَلَى رِعْلٍ وَذَكْوَانَ وَعُصَيَّةَ وَيُؤَمِّنُ مَنْ خَلْفَهُ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Mishkat al-Masabih 1291

Anas said that the Prophet (ﷺ) stood in humble supplication for a month and then gave it up. Abu Dawud and Nasa'i transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ: أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَنَتَ شَهْرًا ثُمَّ تَرَكَهُ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد وَالنَّسَائِيّ

Mishkat al-Masabih 1292

Abu Malik al-Ashja‘i said

I said to my father, “Father, you have prayed behind God’s Messenger, Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Uthman, and behind Ali here in al-Kufa for about five years. Did they stand in humble supplication?” He replied, “Sonny, it is an innovation.” Tirmidhi, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَن أبي مَالك الْأَشْجَعِيّ قَالَ: قُلْتُ لِأَبِي: يَا أَبَتِ إِنَّكَ قَدْ صليت خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَأَبِي بكر وَعمر وَعُثْمَان وَعلي هَهُنَا بِالْكُوفَةِ نَحْوًا مِنْ خَمْسِ سِنِينَ أَكَانُوا يَقْنُتُونَ؟ قَالَ: أَيْ بُنَيَّ مُحْدَثٌ ". رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ وَابْن مَاجَه

Chapter 37c: Humble Supplication - Section 3

باب القنوت - الفصل الثالث

Mishkat al-Masabih 1293

Al-Hasan said that ‘Umar b. al-Khattab congregated the people with Ubayy b. Ka‘b as imam and he led them in prayer for twenty nights, but led them in humble supplication only in the second half. When the last ten days came he withdrew and prayed in his house, and the people were saying, “Ubayy has run away.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

عَن الْحسن: أَن عمر بن الْخطاب جَمَعَ النَّاسَ عَلَى أُبَيِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ فَكَانَ يُصَلِّي بِهِمْ عِشْرِينَ لَيْلَةً وَلَا يَقْنُتُ بِهِمْ إِلَّا فِي النِّصْفِ الْبَاقِي فَإِذَا كَانَتِ الْعَشْرُ الْأَوَاخِرُ تَخَلَّفَ فَصَلَّى فِي بَيْتِهِ فَكَانُوا يَقُولُونَ: أبق أبي. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Mishkat al-Masabih 1294

Anas b. Malik was asked about standing in humble supplication and replied, “God’s Messenger stood in humble supplication after bowing.” A version has “before and after bowing.” Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَسُئِلَ أَن بْنُ مَالِكٍ عَنِ الْقُنُوتِ. فَقَالَ: قَنَتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَعْدُ الرُّكُوعِ وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ: قَبْلَ الرُّكُوعِ وَبَعْدَهُ. رَوَاهُ ابْنُ مَاجَهْ

Chapter 38a: Night prayers during Ramadan - Section 1

باب قيام شهر رمضان - الفصل الأول

Mishkat al-Masabih 1295

Zaid b. Thabit said that God’s Messenger made an apartment of reed mats in the mosque and prayed in it for some nights until people gathered round him. One night when they missed his voice and thought he had gone to sleep, some of them began to clear their throats in order that he might come out to them, so he said, “What I have seen you doing has continued to be your practice, so that I have been afraid that it might be prescribed for you, and if it were prescribed for you you would not fulfil it. You people should therefore pray in your houses, for, with the exception of the prescribed prayer, the most excellent prayer a man observes is that which he observes in his house.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ: أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ اتَّخَذَ حُجْرَةً فِي الْمَسْجِدِ مِنْ حَصِيرٍ فَصَلَّى فِيهَا لَيَالِيَ حَتَّى اجْتَمَعَ عَلَيْهِ نَاسٌ ثُمَّ فَقَدُوا صَوْتَهُ لَيْلَةً وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُ قَدْ نَامَ فَجَعَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ يَتَنَحْنَحُ لِيَخْرُجَ إِلَيْهِمْ. فَقَالَ: مَا زَالَ بِكُمُ الَّذِي رَأَيْتُ مِنْ صَنِيعِكُمْ حَتَّى خَشِيتُ أَنْ يُكْتَبَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَوْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ مَا قُمْتُمْ بِهِ. فَصَلُّوا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ فَإِنَّ أَفْضَلَ صَلَاةِ الْمَرْء فِي بَيته إِلَّا الصَّلَاة الْمَكْتُوبَة)

Mishkat al-Masabih 1296

Abu Huraira said that God’s Messenger used to commend prayer at night in Ramadan, but did not command it as a duty. He would say, “If anyone prays during the night in Ramadan because of faith and seeking his reward from God, his former sins will be forgiven him.” When God’s Messenger died this was the practice, and it continued thus during Abu Bakr’s Caliphate and the early part of ‘Umar’s. Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: (كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَرْغَبُ فِي قِيَامِ رَمَضَانَ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَأْمُرَهُمْ فِيهِ بِعَزِيمَةٍ فَيَقُولُ: «مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ. فَتُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ والمر عَلَى ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ كَانَ الْأَمْرُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ فِي خِلَافَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَصَدْرًا مِنْ خِلَافَةِ عمر على ذَلِك» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Mishkat al-Masabih 1297

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you performs the prayer in his mosque he should leave a portion of his prayer for his house, for God blesses his house because of his prayer.” Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِذَا قَضَى أَحَدُكُمُ الصَّلَاةَ فِي مَسْجده فليجعل لبيته نَصِيبا من صلَاته فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ جَاعِلٌ فِي بَيْتِهِ مِنْ صِلَاتِهِ خيرا» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Chapter 38b: Night prayers during Ramadan - Section 2

باب قيام شهر رمضان - الفصل الثاني

Mishkat al-Masabih 1298

Abu Dharr said

We fasted along with God’s Messenger, but he did not make us get up at night for prayer at any time during the month till seven nights remained; then he made us get up for prayer till a third of the night had passed. Next night he did not make us get up, but when the fifth remaining night came he made us get up for prayer till a half of the night had gone, so I said, “Messenger of God, I wish you had led us in supererogatory prayers during the whole of this night." He replied, “When a man prays with an imam till he goes away he is reckoned as having spent a night in prayer." On the fourth remaining night he did not make us get up till two-thirds of the night had passed. On the third remaining night he gathered his family, his wives and the people and prayed with us till we were afraid we would miss the falah (explaining, when asked, that the falah was the meal before daybreak). Then he did not make us get up for prayer during the remainder of the month. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted something similar, but Tirmidhi did not mention, “then he did not make us get up for prayer during the remainder of the month."

عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ قَالَ: صُمْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ رَمَضَانَ فَلَمْ يَقُمْ بِنَا شَيْئًا مِنَ الشَّهْرِ حَتَّى بَقِيَ سَبْعٌ فَقَامَ بِنَا حَتَّى ذَهَبَ ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ فَلَمَّا كَانَتِ السَّادِسَةُ لَمْ يَقُمْ بِنَا فَلَمَّا كَانَتِ الْخَامِسَةُ قَامَ بِنَا حَتَّى ذهب شطر اللَّيْل فَقلت: يارسول الله لَو نفلتنا قيام هَذِه اللَّيْلَة. قَالَ فَقَالَ: «إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا صَلَّى مَعَ الْإِمَامِ حَتَّى ينْصَرف حسب لَهُ قيام اللَّيْلَة» . قَالَ: فَلَمَّا كَانَت الرَّابِعَة لم يقم فَلَمَّا كَانَتِ الثَّالِثَةُ جَمَعَ أَهْلَهُ وَنِسَاءَهُ وَالنَّاسَ فَقَامَ بِنَا حَتَّى خَشِينَا أَنْ يَفُوتَنَا الْفَلَاحُ. قَالَ قُلْتُ: وَمَا الْفَلَاحُ؟ قَالَ: السَّحُورُ. ثُمَّ لَمْ يَقُمْ بِنَا بَقِيَّةَ الشَّهْرِ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ وَرَوَى ابْنُ مَاجَهْ نَحْوَهُ إِلَّا أَنَّ التِّرْمِذِيَّ لَمْ يَذْكُرْ: ثُمَّ لَمْ يَقُمْ بِنَا بَقِيَّة الشَّهْر

Mishkat al-Masabih 1299

‘A’isha said

I missed God’s Messengerone night and found him at al-Baqi‘. He said, “Were you afraid that God and His Messenger would act wrongly towards you?" I replied, “Messenger of God, I thought you had gone to one of your wives." He said, “On the middle night of Sha'ban God most high descends to the lowest heaven and forgives more sins than the hairs of the goats of Kalb." Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, and Razin added, “for those who deserve hell."Tirmidhi said, “I heard Muhammad (i.e., Bukhari) declare that this tradition is weak."

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ: فَقَدْتُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَيْلَةً فَإِذَا هُوَ بِالْبَقِيعِ فَقَالَ " أَكُنْتِ تَخَافِينَ أَنْ يَحِيفَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكِ وَرَسُولُهُ؟ قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّكَ أَتَيْتَ بَعْضَ نِسَائِكَ فَقَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يَنْزِلُ لَيْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فَيَغْفِرُ لِأَكْثَرَ مِنْ عَدَدِ شَعْرِ غَنَمِ كَلْبٍ " رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَابْنُ مَاجَهْ وَزَادَ رَزِينٌ: «مِمَّنِ اسْتَحَقَّ النَّارَ» وَقَالَ التِّرْمِذِيُّ: سَمِعْتُ مُحَمَّدًا يَعْنِي البُخَارِيّ يضعف هَذَا الحَدِيث