Men are encouraged to offer As salat - الصلاة in the masjids. A prayer caller, called Moazzan " مؤذن " calls the Adhan - الأذان which alerts the worshippers and they proceed to the masjid to offer the As Salat in congregation. This caller of the Adhan assumes a very rewarding position among the Muslims as will be seen in the Hadith being shared today. The hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ alos makes a mention of importance of some of the As Salat over other and hurrying to the masjid to be in the front rows.
This Hadith is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī (Book 53 Witnesses / كتاب الشهادات / Chapter 30: Drawing lots to solve problems / بَابُ الْقُرْعَةِ فِي الْمُشْكِلاَتِ ) as Hadith 2689, given herein under:
Narrated byAbu Huraira:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "If the people knew what is the reward of making the call (for the prayer) and (of being in) the first row (in the prayer), and if they found no other way to get this privilege except by casting lots, they would certainly cast lots for it. If they knew the reward of the noon prayer, they would race for it, and if they knew the reward of the morning (i.e. Fajr) and `Isha prayers, they would present themselves for the prayer even if they had to crawl to reach there.
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنْ سُمَىٍّ، مَوْلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي النِّدَاءِ وَالصَّفِّ الأَوَّلِ، ثُمَّ لَمْ يَجِدُوا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَسْتَهِمُوا عَلَيْهِ لاَسْتَهَمُوا، وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِي التَّهْجِيرِ لاَسْتَبَقُوا إِلَيْهِ، وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِي الْعَتَمَةِ وَالصُّبْحِ لأَتَوْهُمَا وَلَوْ حَبْوًا ".
This hadith narrated by Abu Huraira highlights the immense spiritual rewards associated with various aspects of the Islamic practice of Salat (prayer). The hadith emphasizes the importance of the Adhan (call to prayer), the significance of praying in the first row, and the great value of specific prayers, particularly the Fajr (dawn) and Isha (night) prayers. Let us explain each aspect of the Hadith separately:
The Call to Prayer (Adhan):
- The Adhan is the call to prayer that announces the time for the five daily prayers. The hadith emphasizes that if people truly understood the immense reward for making the Adhan, they would be so eager to perform it that they would cast lots for the privilege.
- Related Hadith: The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "The Mu'adhdhinun (those who call the Adhan) will have the longest necks on the Day of Resurrection." (Sahih Muslim 387)
- Implication: The phrase "longest necks" is understood metaphorically to mean that the Mu'adhdhinun will have a special status or honor on the Day of Judgment. This shows the high value placed on those who call others to worship Allah.
Praying in the First Row:
- The first row in the congregation holds a special status due to its proximity to the Imam and because those in the first row are seen as being foremost in their eagerness to worship Allah.
- Related Hadith: The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "The best rows for men are the first rows, and the worst rows for men are the last rows." (Sahih Muslim 440a)
- Implication: Being in the first row is highly meritorious because it reflects a person’s zeal to be closest to the Imam and to gain the greatest reward in communal prayer.
Importance of the Prayers
- The Noon Prayer (Dhuhr):
- The Dhuhr prayer, offered in the middle of the day, is significant in the routine of daily prayers. The hadith indicates that if people truly knew its reward, they would hasten to perform it.
- Related Hadith: The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "The prayer offered in the middle of the day (i.e., Dhuhr) is the most beloved prayer to Allah." (Sunan al-Nasa'i 504)
- Implication: Dhuhr prayer, despite being in the middle of the day when people might be busy, holds great spiritual value, and Muslims should strive to perform it promptly.
- Fajr and Isha Prayers:
- Fajr and Isha prayers are particularly emphasized due to the difficulty associated with them—Fajr is at dawn when people are typically asleep, and Isha is late at night. The hadith stresses that the reward for these prayers is so great that people would attend them even if they had to crawl to reach the mosque.
- Related Hadith on Fajr and Isha:
- The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "Whoever prays the Fajr prayer in congregation, it is as if he has prayed the whole night." (Sahih Muslim 656a)
- The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also said: "The most burdensome prayers for the hypocrites are the Isha and Fajr prayers, but if they knew what (reward) there is in them, they would come even if they had to crawl." (Sahih al-Bukhari 657)
- Implication: Both prayers are challenging due to the timing, but the spiritual reward is immense. This shows the importance of overcoming personal comfort to maintain a strong connection with Allah.
Connection to the Quran
The emphasis on Salat in this hadith aligns with the Quranic teachings about the importance of prayer. The Quran frequently emphasizes the need to establish regular prayers and to be mindful of them.
- Consistency and Commitment:
- Quranic Reference: "And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience]." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:43)
- Implication: The Quran underscores the importance of regular and committed prayer, which is echoed in the hadith’s emphasis on the rewards for specific prayers.
- Spiritual Awareness:
- The hadith encourages believers to be aware of the spiritual rewards of their actions, which aligns with the Quran’s emphasis on conscious and mindful worship.
- Quranic Reference: "Indeed, the prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do." (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:45)
- Implication: Many a non Muslim label prayer as a ritual and not a form of worship. It is for their information that Prayer is not just a ritual; it is a means to connect with Allah and to cultivate a life free of immorality. The rewards mentioned in the hadith serve to motivate believers to perform prayers with sincerity and dedication.
The hadith narrated by Abu Huraira highlights the tremendous rewards associated with various aspects of prayer, such as making the Adhan, praying in the first row, and performing the Dhuhr, Fajr, and Isha prayers. It underscores the idea that if believers truly understood these rewards, they would go to great lengths to attain them.
In light of other hadiths and the Quran, this hadith encourages Muslims to maintain consistency and dedication in their prayers, to appreciate the spiritual benefits of their worship, and to strive for excellence in their relationship with Allah. The rewards mentioned serve as a powerful motivation to prioritize Salat and engage with it wholeheartedly, knowing that the effort is highly valued by Allah.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about As Salat - Prayers
Please refer to our reference pages: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Saum - Fasting in Ramadan and Collections of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Rewards for more Hadiths on the subject.
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
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