THE PROPHET OF ALLAH (PBUH)
by Shaykh M Aadil Davids
THE PROPHET’S (SALLALLAAHU ALAYHI WASALLAM) PRAYERS
Spending Nights in Prayer
Aswad Ibn Yazeed - reported from Aa’isha (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) spent his nights in prayer. She said, ‘We slept during the first part of the night, then the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) woke up and prayed. After the prayers, we enjoyed sexual relations if we so desired. When he heard the adhaan (call for morning prayer) he took the ceremonial bath by pouring water over himself. Otherwise, he performed only the ablution (wudhoo). Then he left home to pray in the Mosque.’ (Bukhaari)
Hudhaifah Ibn Yamaan (Radhiallaahu Anhu) said, 'I spent a night in prayer with the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). He recited 100 verses from chapter Baqara in the first unit of prayer (rak’at) and completed the recitation of the whole chapter in the second unit. He recited the whole of the chapter Ali ‘Imraan and the whole of chapter an-Nisaa in only one unit respectively. His recitation was slow and meticulous. He pronounced words clearly and gave due recognition of each and every letter. When he recited verses, calling for the glorification of Allaah, he glorified Allaah. And when he recited verses calling Believers to offer prayers, he prayed to Allaah. He appealed for the Protection of Allaah when he came across verses that encourage Believers to Spending nights in prayer do that. When he bowed, he said, “Glory to Allaah. He is Great.” The duration of bowing was equal to the period when he stood to recite the Quraan. After bowing he stood up straight. Then he said, “Allaah listens to the one who praises him. Allaah, praise belongs to You.” The duration of standing was equal to the period when he bowed. When he entered into prostration, he said, “Glory to Allaah. He is exalted.” The duration of the prostration was equal to his standing after bowing.’ (Muslim)
Abu Huraira (Radhiallaahu Anhu) said that the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) prayed for long hours during the night. His feet became swollen as a result of prolonged standing. His Companions were concerned for his health during his excessive worshipping and reminded him that Allaah had already wiped away all his mistakes of the past and promised to erase even his future mistakes. On listening to such expressions of concern the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) would say, ‘I am only, a grateful servant (of a loving God)’. (Ibn Maajah )
After Morning (Fajr Prayers)
Jaabir Ibn Sumra (Radhiallaahu Anhu) related that the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) never left the place where he performed his morning prayers. He remained there and engaged in dhikrullaah (remembrance of Allaah) until the sunrise (ishraaq). (Muslim)
Anas (Radhiallaahu Anhu) heard the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) saying, ‘The person who prays the morning prayer with the congregation (of Muslims) and then engages in dhikrullaah (remembrance of Allaah) until the sunrise will receive a reward in full that equals a pilgrimage.’ He repeated it three times in full. (Tirmidhee)
Forenoon (Dhuhaa) PRayers
Mu’aadhah (Radhiallaahu Anhu) reported from Aa’isha (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) prayed four units (raka’at) during the forenoon prayers. He increased the units according to his choice. (Muslim)
Abu Huraira (Radhiallaahu Anhu) reported that his beloved friend, the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), advised him not to miss the forenoon, or odd (witr), prayers. The odd prayers should be read before going to bed. (Bukhaari/Muslim)
Praying at Home (Sunnah/non-obligatory)
The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) desired that the homes of Muslims be filled with dhikrullaah (remembrance of Allaah), worship and faith. Imaam Bukhaari documented the following statement of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), ‘Do not convert your homes into cemeteries by creating an atmosphere of death in them. Pray in your homes!’ Prayer, then, sustains life.
Ibn Qayyim mentioned that no Hadith exists to prove that the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), performed any non-obligatory (sunnah) prayer after maghrib (sunset) prayers in the Mosque. He prayed these in his house to teach his family, keeping alive the radiance of faith and refusing to show off in the Mosque by praying excessively.
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Da’awah (call to Allah)**
The Prophet’s (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) call to Allaah was uncompromising. He reprimanded Abu Dharr for calling Bilaal (Radhiallaahu Anhu) a child of a Black servant and told him that jaahiliyyah (revolt against the way of Allaah) is still alive in him. Abu Dharr (Radhiallaahu Anhu) felt such remorse that he placed his head on the ground and commanded Bilaal (Radhiallaahu Anhu), to chop it off.
Dhikrullaah (remember Allaah)
Aa’isha (Radhiallaahu Anha) said that the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) was perpetually in the Remembrance of Allaah. (Muslim)
Ibn 'Abbaas (Radhiallaahu Anhu) said that the Companions counted the times the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) repeated the dhikr (formula) for repentance as being one hundred times. (Bukhaari)
Umm Salama (Radhiallaahu Anha) related, ‘Among other prayers of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), I heard him asking that Allaah keep his heart firm on the way of Allaah.’ (Tirmidhee)
Abu Huraira (Radhiallaahu Anhu) said that the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, ‘Angels of Allaah are always in search of Believers who sit in dhikrullaah on the roads and in the pathways. They are very pleased when they meet these gatherings and invite the others to enjoy the objective of their pursuit. They then envelop these gatherings, their wings reaching the skies. After they report to Allaah and inform Him of their recitations, Allaah will make them witness that He has forgiven them.’ (Bukhaari)
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I will try to post the second part (from a book on how to pray) - soon, Inshallah
JAZAK’ALLAH KHAIR