The Book of Virtues

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Read the Qur’an, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection.”.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “The Qur’an and its people who applied it, will be brought on the Day of Resurrection preceded with Surat Al-Baqarah and Surat Al-Imran arguing on behalf of those who applied them.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Qur’an will be with the honourable and obedient scribes (angels) and he who recites the Qur’an and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite it in the best way possible, will have two rewards.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The believer who recites the Qur’an is like a citron whose fragrance is sweet and whose taste is delicious. A believer who does not recite the Qur’an is like a date-fruit which has no fragrance but has a sweet taste. The hypocrite who recites the Qur’an is like basil whose fragrance is so sweet, but its taste is bitter.

The hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’an is like a colocynth which has no fragrance and its taste is bitter.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, Allah elevates some people with this Qur’an and abases others.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Envy is justified in regard to two types of persons only: a man whom Allah has given knowledge of the Qur’an, and so he recites it during the night and during the day; and a man whom Allah has given wealth and so he spends from it during the night and during the day.”.

A man was reciting Surat Al-Kahf, and a horse was tied with two ropes beside him. As he was reciting, a cloud overshadowed him, and as it began to come nearer and nearer, the horse began to trample voilently. The man came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) in the morning and mentioned the incident to him. He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “That was tranquillity which descended as a result of the recitation of the Qur’an.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a ten-fold reward. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who does not memorize any part from the Qur’an he is like the ruined house.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The one who was devoted to the Qur’an will be told on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Recite and ascend (in ranks) as you used to recite when you were in the world. Your rank will be at the last Ayah you recite.’”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Read the Qur’an regularly. By the One in Whose Hand Muhammad’s soul is, it escapes from memory faster than a camel does from its tying ropes.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The parable of one who knows the Qur’an by heart is as the parable of an owner of hobbled camel. If he remains vigilant, he will retain it; and if he neglects it, it will go away.”.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Allah does not listen so attentively to anything as He listens to the recitation of the Qur’an by a Prophet who recites well with a melodious and audible voice.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to him, “You have been given a Mizmar (sweet melodious voice) out of the Mazamir of Prophet Dawud (David).”. And in a version narrated by Muslim “If you would have seen me, as I was listening to your recitation last night.”

I heard the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) reciting Surat Wat-Teen Waz-Zaitun (Chapter 95) during the Isha prayer. I have never heard anyone reciting it in a more beautiful voice than his.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who does not recite the Qur’an in a pleasant tone is not of us.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “Recite the Qur’an to me.” I said: “O Messenger of Allah! Shall I recite it to you when it was revealed to you?”

He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “I like to hear it from others.” Then I began to recite Surat An-Nisa. When I reached the Ayah: ‘How will it be when We shall bring a witness from every people and bring you as a witness against them?’

(Having heard it) he said, “Enough! Enough!” When I looked at him, I found his eyes were overflowing with tears.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Shall I teach you the greatest Surah in the Qur’an before you leave the mosque?” Then he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), took me by the hand, and when we were about to step out, I reminded him of his promise to teach me the greatest Surah in the Qur’an.

He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is ‘Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil Alamin (i.e., Surat Al-Fatihah) which is As-Sab’ Al-Mathani (i.e., the seven oft- repeated Ayat) and the Great Qur’an which is given to me.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, it is equivalent to one-third of the Qur’an.”According to another version, he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to his Companions, “Is anyone of you incapable of reciting one-third of the Qur’an in one night?” They considered it burdensome and said: “O Messenger of Allah, which of us can afford to do that?” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Surat Al-Ikhlas.”

A man heard another reciting Surat Al-Ikhlas repeatedly. The next morning he came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and informed him about it as if he considered it to be of little reward. On that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, this Surah is equal to one-third of the Qur’an.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Surat Ikhlas is equivalent to one-third of the Qur’an.”.

A man said: “O Messenger of Allah! I love Surat-Al-Ikhlas.”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do you not know that last night certain Ayat were revealed the like of which there is no precedence. They are: ‘Say: I seek refuge with (Allah) the Rubb of the daybreak’ (Surah 113), and ‘Say: I seek refuge with (Allah) the Rubb of mankind’ (Surah 114).”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to seek protection against the evil of jinn and the evil eyes till Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas were revealed. After they were revealed, he took to them for seeking Allah’s protection and left everything besides them.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “There is a Surah in the Qur’an which contains thirty Ayat which kept interceding for a man until his sins are forgiven. This Surah is ‘Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion.’ (Surat Al-Mulk 67).”.

I heard the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “He who recites the two Ayat at the end of Surat Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.”.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying: “Do not turn your houses into graveyards. Satan runs away from the house in which Surat Al-Baqarah is recited.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Abu Mundhir! Do you know which Ayah in Allah’s Book is the greatest?” I replied: “It is ‘Allah la ilaha illa Huwal-Haiyul-Qayum (Allah! none has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living…)’.” (Al-Baqarah 2:256) Thereupon he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) patted me in the chest and said, “Rejoice by this knowledge, O Abu Mundhir!”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever commits to memory the first ten Ayat of the Surat Al-Kahf, will be protected from (the trial of) Ad-Dajjal (Antichrist).”. In another narration, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “(Whoever commits to memory) the last ten Ayat of Surat Al-Kahf, he will be protected from (the trial of) Ad-Dajjal (Antichrist).”

While Jibril (Gabriel) was sitting with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), he heard a sound above him. He lifted his head, and said: “This is a gate which has been opened in heaven today. It was never opened before.”

Then an angel descended through it, he said: “This is an angel who has come down to earth. He never came down before.” He sent greetings and said: “Rejoice with two lights given to you. Such lights were not given to any Prophet before you. These (lights) are: Fatihah-til-Kitab (Surat Al-Fatihah), and the concluding Ayat of Surat Al-Baqarah. You will never recite a word from them without being given the blessings it contain s.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Any group of people that assemble in one of the Houses of Allah to recite the Book of Allah, learning and teaching it, tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will engulf them, angels will surround them and Allah will make mention of them to those (the angels) in His proximity.”.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying: “On the Day of Resurrection, my followers (or Ummah) will be summoned ‘Al-Ghurr Al-Muhajjalun’ from the traces of Wudu. Whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so.”.

I heard my Khalil (The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)) as saying, “The adornment of the believer (in Jannah) will reach the places where the water of Wudu reaches (his body).”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who performs the Wudu perfectly (i.e., according to Sunnah), his sins will depart from his body, even from under his nails.”.

I saw the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) performing Wudu the way I have just done it and said, “He who performs Wudu like this, his previous sins will be forgiven and his Salat and walking to the mosque will be considered as supererogatory act of worship.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a Muslim, or a believer, washes his face (in the course of Wudu), every sin which he committed with his eyes, will be washed away from his face with water, or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin which is committed by his hands will be effaced from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin his feet committed will be washed away with the water, or with the last drop of water; until he finally emerges cleansed of all his sins.”.

Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Shall I not tell you something by which Allah effaces the sins and elevates ranks (in Jannah)?”

The Companions said; “Certainly, O Messenger of Allah.” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Performing the Wudu thoroughly in spite of difficult circumstances, walking with more paces to the mosque, and waiting for the next As- Salat (the prayer) after observing Salat; and that is Ar-Ribat, and that is Ar-Ribat.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Purification is half the Iman.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever of you performs Wudu carefully and then affirms: ‘Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu Wahdahu la sharika Lahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluhu. In the narration in At- Tirmidhi, it is added: ‘Allahummaj-‘alni minat-tawwabina, waj-‘alni minal-mutatahhirin (O Allah make me among those who repent and purify themselves).’’’’’”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Were people to know the blessing of pronouncing Adhan and the standing in the first row, they would even draw lots to secure these privileges. And were they to realize the reward of performing Salat early, they would race for it; and were they to know the merits of Salat after nightfall (Isha) and the dawn (Fajr) Salat, they would come to them even if they had to crawl.”.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying: “The Muadhdhinun (callers to prayer) will have the longest necks on the Day of Resurrection.”.

Abu Said al-Khudri (radiyallahu anhu) said to me: “I see that you like living among your sheep in wilderness. So whenever you are with your sheep or in wilderness and you want to call Adhan, you should raise your voice because whoever hears the Adhan, whether a human or jinn or any other creature, will testify for you on the Day of Resurrection.” Abu Said added: “I heard this from the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When Adhan for Salat is pronounced, the devil takes to his heels and breaks wind with noise so as not to hear the call. When the Adhan is finished, he returns. When the Iqamah is announced, he turns his back, and after it is finished, he returns again to distract the attention of one and makes him remember things which he does not recall in his mind before the Salat, and says ‘Remember this, and this,’ and thus causes one to forget how many Rakat he performed.”.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When you hear the Adhan, repeat what the Muadhdhin says. Then ask Allah to exalt my mention because everyone who does so will receive in return ten rewards from Allah. Then beseech Allah to grant me Al-Wasilah, which is a high rank in Jannah, fitting for only one of Allah’s slaves; and I hope that I will be that man. If any one asks Al-Wasilah for me, it becomes incumbent upon me to intercede for him.”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When you hear the Muadhdhin (pronouncing the call to Salat), repeat after him what he says.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who says upon hearing the Adhan: ‘Allahumma Rabba hadhihid-dawati-ttammati, was-salatil-qaimati, ati Muhammadanil-wasilata wal-fadhilata, wabathu maqaman mahmuda nilladhi wa ‘adtahu.’’”

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who says after the Adhan: ‘Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah Wah-dahu la sharika Lahu; wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluhu, radhitu Billahi Rabban, wa bi Muhammadin Rasulan, wa bil Islami Dinan.’’”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The supplication made between the Adhan and the Iqamah is never rejected.”.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Say, if there were a river at the door of one of you in which he takes a bath five times a day, would any soiling remain on him?” They replied, “No soiling would left on him.” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “ That is the five (obligatory) Salat (prayers). Allah obliterates all sins as a result of performing them.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The similitude of the five (obligatory) Salat is like a river running at the door of one of you in which he takes a bath five times a day.”.

A man kissed a woman. So he came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and informed him about it. Then Allah revealed this Ayah: “And perform the Salat, between the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night. Verily, the good deeds efface the evil deeds (i.e., minor sins).”

(Hud 11:114) The man asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) whether this applies to him only. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “It applies to all of my Ummah.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The five (daily) Salat (prayers) and the Friday (prayer) to the Friday (prayer) expiate whatever (minor sins) may be committed in between, so long as major sins are avoided.”.

I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When the time for a prescribed Salat is due and a Muslim performs its Wudu and its acts of bowing and prostration properly, this Salat will be an expiation for his past sins, so long as he does not commit major sins, and this applies for ever.”.

Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who The observes Al-Bardan (i.e., Fajr and Asr prayers) will enter Jannah.”.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying: “He who performs Salat (prayers) before the rising of the sun and before its setting, will not enter the Hell.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who offers the dawn (Fajr) prayers will come under the Protection of Allah. O son of Adam! Beware, lest Allah should call you to account in any respect from (for withdrawing) His Protection.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are angels who take turns in visiting you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the dawn (Fajr) and the afternoon (Asr) prayers. Those who have spent the night with you, ascend to the heaven and their Rubb, Who knows better about them, asks: ‘In what condition did you leave My slaves?’ They reply: ‘We left them while they were performing Salat and we went to them while they were performing Salat.’”.

We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) when he looked at the full moon and observed, “You will see your Rubb in the Hereafter as you see this moon having no difficulty in seeing it. So try your best to perform the prayers before the rising of the sun and that before its setting.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who misses the Asr Salat (deliberately), his deeds will be rendered nul and void.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who goes to the mosque in the morning or in the evening, Allah prepares for him a place in Jannah whenever he goes to the mosque in the morning and returns from it in the evening.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who purifies (performs Wudu) himself in his house and then walks to one of the houses of Allah (mosque) for performing an obligatory Salat, one step of his will wipe out his sins and another step will elevate his rank (in Jannah).”.

There was a man of the Ansar whose house was the farthest from the mosque. As far as I know, he never missed Salat (in congregation). It was said to him: “If you buy a donkey, you may ride upon it in the dark nights and in the hot days.”

He said: “I do not like that my house should be situated close to the mosque. I desire that my walking towards the mosque and returning home be recorded to my credit.” Upon this the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah has gathered all (rewards) for you.”.

There were some plots of land lying vacant around the mosque. The people of Banu Salamah decided to move to this land and come nearer to the mosque. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) heard about it and said to them, “I have heard that you intend to move near the mosque.”

They said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah! We have decided to do that.” Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Banu Salamah! Stay in your houses, because your footprints (when you come to the mosque) will be recorded.” He said this twice. They said: “We would not have liked it, had we moved near the mosque.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person who will receive the highest reward for Salat (prayer) is the one who comes to perform it in the mosque from the farthest distance. And he who waits for Salat to perform it with the Imam (in congregation) will have a greater reward than the one who observes it alone and then goes to sleep.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Convey glad tidings to those who walk to the mosque in the darkness. For they will be given full light on the Day of Resurrection.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Shall I not tell you something by which Allah effaces the sins and elevates the ranks (in Jannah).” The Companions said: “Yes (please tell us), O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Performing the Wudu properly in spite of difficult circumstances, walking with more paces to the mosque, and waiting for the next Salat (prayer) after a observing Salat; and that is Ar-Ribat, and that is Ar-Ribat.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When you see a man frequenting the mosque, testify that he is a believer because Allah says: ‘Allah’s mosques are visited only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day.’”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Everyone among you will be deemed to be occupied in Salat (prayer) constantly so long as Salat (the prayer) detains him (from worldly concerns), and nothing prevents him from returning to his family but Salat.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The angels supplicate in favour of one of you so long as he remains in the place where he has performed Salat (prayer) in a state of Wudu. They (the angels) say: ‘O Allah! Forgive him, O Allah! Have mercy on him.’”.

Once the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) delayed the night prayer (Isha) till midnight. He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) turned to us after Salat (prayer) and said, “The people slept after performing their Salat, but you who waited, will be accounted as engaged in Salat throughout the period of your waiting.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Salat in congregation is twenty-seven times more meritorious than a Salat performed individually.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man’s Salat in congregation is twenty-five times more rewarding than his Salat at home or in his shop, and that is because when he performs his Wudu properly and proceeds towards the mosque with the purpose of performing Salat in congregation, he does not take a step without being raised a degree (in rank) for it and having a sin remitted for it, till he enters the mosque.

When he is performing Salat, the angels continue to invoke Blessings of Allah on him as long as he is in his place of worship in a state of Wudu. They say: ‘O Allah! Have mercy on him! O Allah! Forgive him.’ He is deemed to be engaged in Salat as long as he waits for it.”.

A blind man came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Messenger of Allah! I have no one to guide me to the mosque.” He, therefore, sought his permission to perform Salat (prayer) in his house. He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) granted him permission.

When the man turned away, he called him back, and said, “Do you hear the Adhan (call to prayer)?” He replied in the affirmative. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) then directed him to respond to it.

I said to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam): “There are many poisonous insects and wild beasts in Al-Madinah, and I am blind. Please grant me permission to perform Salat at home.” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) enquired whether he could hear the call: Hayya ‘alas-Salah; Hayya ‘alal-Falah (Come to the prayer, come to the salvation). When he replied in affirmative, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) directed him to come (to mosque) for prayer.’.’

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand my life is, I sometimes thought of giving orders for firewood to be collected, then for proclaiming the Adhan for Salat. Then I would appoint an Imam to lead Salat, and then go to the houses of those who do not come to perform Salat in congregation, and set fire to their houses on them.”.

He who likes to meet Allah tomorrow (i.e., on the Day of Requital) as a Muslim, should take care and observe the Salat when the Adhan is announced for them. Allah has expounded to your Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) the ways of right guidance, and these (the prayers) are part of the right guidance. If you have to perform Salat in your houses, as this man who stays away (from the mosque) and performs Salat in his house, you will abandon the Sunnah (practice) of your Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), and the departure from the Sunnah of your Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) will lead you astray.

I have seen the time when no one stayed behind except a well-known hypocrite. I also saw that a man was brought swaying (on account of weakness) between two men till he was set up in a row (in the mosque).

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “If three men in a village or in the desert, make no arrangement for Salat in congregation, Satan must have certainly overcome them. So observe Salat in congregation, for the wolf eats up a solitary sheep that stays far from the flock.”.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying: “One who performs Isha prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night. And one who performs the Fajr prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat the whole night.”The narration of At-Tirmidhi says: Uthman ibn Affan (radiyallahu anhu) narrated that he had heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying: “He who attends Isha in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night; and he who attends Isha and Fajr prayers in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for the whole night.”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “If they knew the merits of Salat after nightfall (Isha) and the morning (Fajr) Salat, they would come to them even if they had to crawl to do so.”This is part of a long Hadith which has already been mentioned.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “No Salat is more burdensome to the hypocrites than the Fajr (dawn) prayer and the Isha (night) prayer; and if they knew their merits, they would come to them even if they had to crawl to do so.”.

I asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam): “Which act is the best?” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “As-Salat at their fixed times.” I asked, “What next?” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Being dutiful to parents.” I asked, “What next?” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Striving (Jihad) in the way of Allah.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Islam is based on five (pillars): testifying that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is His slave and Messenger; performing of Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat); the payment of Zakat; performing Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House.”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “I have been commanded to fight against the people till they testify La ilaha illAllah (There is no true god except Allah) and that Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is His slave and Messenger, and to establish As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and to pay Zakat; and if they do this, then their blood and property are secured except by the rights of Islam, and their accountability is left to Allah.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sent me as a governor to Yemen and (at the time of departure) he instructed me thus: “You will go to people of the Scripture (i.e., the Jews and the Christians). First of all invite them to testify that La ilaha ill Allah (There is no true god except Allah) and that Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is His slave and Messenger; and if they accept this, then tell them that Allah has enjoined upon them five Salat (prayers) during the day and night; and if they accept it, then tell them that Allah has made the payment of Zakat obligatory upon them.

It should be collected from their rich and distributed among their poor; and if they agree to it, don’t take (as a share of Zakat) the best of their properties. Beware of the supplications of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Between a man and disbelief and paganism is the abandonment of Salat (prayer).”.

Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “That which differentiates us from the disbelievers and hypocrites is our performance of Salat. He who abandons it, becomes a disbeliever.”.

The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not consider the abandonment of any action as disbelief except neglecting Salat.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The first of man’s deeds for which he will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection will be Salat. If it is found to be perfect, he will be safe and successful; but if it is incomplete, he will be unfortunate and a loser. If any shortcoming is found in the obligatory Salat, the Glorious and Exalted Rubb will command to see whether His slave has offered any voluntary Salat so that the obligatory Salat may be made up by it. Then the rest of his actions will be treated in the same manner.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) came out to us (once) and said, “Why do you not stand in rows as the angels do before their Rubb?” We asked: “O Messenger of Allah! how do the angels stand in rows before their Rubb?” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, “They complete each row beginning with the first and filling all the gaps.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “If people came to know the blessing of calling Adhan and the standing in the first row, they could do nothing but would draw lots to secure these privileges.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best of the men’s rows (in Salat) is the first row and the worst is the last; but the best of the woman’s row is the last and the worst of their rows is the first.”.

When the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) perceived a tendency among his Companions to stand in the back rows, he said to them, “Come forward and be close to me and let those who come after you, follow your lead. If people continue to fall behind (i.e., in acquiring virtues), Allah puts them behind.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to gently pat our shoulders when we were standing in rows at the time of Salat and say, “Keep (the rows) straight; do not differ from each other lest your hearts should suffer from discord. Let those of you who are mature and prudent be nearer to me, and then those who are next to them.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Keep your rows straight (during Salat in congregation), for keeping the rows straight is part of the perfection of Salat.”.

When the Iqamah had been announced, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) turned his face towards us and said: “Make your rows straight and stand close together, for I can see you from behind my back.”.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Straighten your rows; otherwise, Allah will create dissension among you.”. The narration in Muslim is: An-Numan ibn Bashir (radiyallahu anhum) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) directed us to keep our rows as straight as arrows. He continued stressing this until he realized that we had learnt it from him (recognized its significance).

One day he came into the mosque and stood up. He was just about to say Takbir (Allah is Greater) when he noticed a man whose chest was projected from the row, so he said, “O slaves of Allah, you must straighten your rows or Allah will certainly put your faces in opposite directions.”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to pass between the rows from one end to the other, touching our chest and shoulders (i.e., arranging the rows) in line and saying, “Do not be out of line; otherwise your hearts will be in disagreement”. He would add, “Allah and His angels invoke blessings upon the first rows.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Arrange the rows in order, stand shoulder to shoulder, close the gaps, be accommodating to your brothers, and do not leave gaps for Satan. Whoever joins up a row, he will be joined to Allah (i.e., to the Mercy of Allah); and whoever cuts off a row, he will be cut off from Allah (i.e., from His Mercy).”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Stand close together in your rows, keep nearer to one another, and put your necks in line, for by Him in Whose Hands my soul is, I see the Satan entering through the opening in the row like Al- hadhaf (i.e., a type of small black sheep found in Yemen).”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Fill (complete) the first row, then the one next to it; and if there is any deficiency (incompleteness), it should be in the last row.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah and His angels invoke blessings upon those who are on the right side of the rows.”.

Whenever we performed Salat behind the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), we liked to be on his right side so that his face might turn towards us (at the end of the Salat). One day, I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) supplicating, “O my Rubb! Shield me from Your Torment on the Day when You will gather (or said, ‘resurrect’) Your slaves.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Let the Imam stand in the middle (so that those praying behind him should be standing both on his right and his left) and close the gaps.”.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “A house will be built in Jannah for every Muslim who offers twelve Rakah of optional Salat other than the obligatory Salat in a day and a night (to seek the Pleasure of Allah).”.

I performed along with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) two Rakah of optional prayers before Zuhr and two after the Zuhr (noon prayer), and two after the Friday prayer, and two after the Maghrib (evening) prayer, and two after the Isha (night) prayer..

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “There is a Salat (prayer) between every Adhan and Iqamah; there is a Salat between every Adhan and Iqamah.” (While saying the same for the) third time (he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) added), “It is for him who desires (to perform it).”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) never omitted four Rakah prayer before the Zuhr prayer and two Rakah prayers before dawn (Fajr) prayer.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not attach more importance to any Nawafil prayer than the two Rakah of prayer before dawn (Fajr) prayer.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The two Rakah before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are better than this world and all it contains.”Another narration goes: “The two Rakah before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are dearer to me than the whole world.”

I went to inform the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) about the time of the dawn (Fajr) prayer, and Aishah (radiyallahu anha) kept me busy and began to ask me about something till the day grew bright. Then I got up and informed the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) of the time of Salat. I informed him again but he did not came out immediately to lead As- Salat.

When he came out, he led As-Salat. I said to him: Aishah (radiyallahu anha) kept me busy and thus diverted my attention by asking about something and the morning grew bright. You also came out late. Upon that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “I was engaged in performing two Rakah of Fajr prayer.”

Bilal (radiyallahu anhu) said: “O Messenger of Allah! You delayed As-Salat so long as the morning grew bright.” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Even if the morning had become brighter than it had, I would have performed two Rakah of prayer in an excellent manner.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform two Rakah short prayer between the Adhan (call to prayer) and the Iqamah of the dawn (Fajr) prayers. In the narration of Muslim, Aishah (radiyallahu anha) said: When the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to hear the Adhan (of Fajr prayer) he would perform two supererogatory Rakah prayer and would make them short.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform two short Rakah prayer when it was dawn and the Muadhdhin had called Adhan (for the Fajr prayer).

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform his optional night prayers at night, two Rakah followed by two Rakah, and at the end he would conclude with an odd Rakah (Witr). Then he would perform two Rakah prayer before the dawn (Fajr) prayer after hearing the Adhan, and he would make them so brief as if he could hear the Iqamah being called.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to recite during the two Rakah of Fajr prayer: “Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us…” (Al-Baqarah 2:136) which is in Surat Al-Baqarah in the first Rakah and the Verse: “We believe in Allah, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e., we submit to Allah.” (Ali ‘Imran 3:52) in the second Rakah. According to another narration, he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) recited from Surat Al-Imran the Verses: ‘Come to a word which is just between us and you…’ (Ali ‘Imran 3:64).’’

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) recited in the two supererogatory Rakah of the Fajr prayer Surat Al-Kafirun (No. 109).

I observed the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) for one month reciting in the two supererogatory Rakah of the Fajr prayer Surat Al-Kafirun (No. 109).

When the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had performed two Rakah before the Fajr prayer, he would lie down on his right side.

When the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) finished the Isha prayer, he would perform eleven Rakah before the Fajr prayer, concluding each two Rakah with Taslim (i.e., saying As-Salamu Alaikum) and observing the Witr (odd) at the end. When the Muadhdhin finished proclaiming Adhan for the Fajr prayer and it was dawn, he would rise and perform two short Rakah, and then would lie down on his right side till the Muadhdhin came to (inform) him about Iqamah.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When anyone of you has performed two of Sunnah before the Fajr prayer, he should lie down on his right side.”.

I performed with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) two Rakah before and two after Zuhr prayers.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) never omitted four Rakah supererogatory prayer before Zuhr prayers.

Whenever the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) stayed in my house, he would perform four Rakah (supererogatory prayer) before Zuhr prayer. Then he would go out and lead Salat. He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would then come back and perform two Rakah (supererogatory prayer). He would lead the Maghrib prayer and come back and perform two Rakah (supererogatory prayer).

When he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had led the Isha prayer, he would enter the house and perform two Rakah (supererogatory prayer).

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever observes the practice of performing four Rakah before Zuhr prayer and four after the Zuhr prayer, Allah will shield him against the Fire (of Hell).”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform four Rakah prayer after the declining of the sun before Zuhr prayer and would say, “This is an hour at which the gates of heaven are opened, and I like that my good deeds should rise to heaven at that time.”.

If the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) could not perform four Rakah before Zuhr prayer, he would perform them after it (i.e., after the obligatory prayer).

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform four Rakah before the Asr prayer, separating them with Taslim (i.e., offering blessings) on the favourite angels who are near Allah’s proximity and the Muslims and the believers who come after them.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “May Allah have mercy on a man who performs four Rakah before the Asr prayer.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform two Rakah before the Asr prayer.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Perform two Rakah before Maghrib prayer.” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) repeated it twice; when repeating it for the third time he added: “He who may so wish.”.

I saw the principal Companions of Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) rushing to the pillars (of the mosque) to perform two Rakah prayers behind them before the Maghrib prayer.

In the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), we used to perform two Rakah (optional prayer) after sunset before the Maghrib prayer. It was asked: “Did Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) perform them?” He replied: “He saw us performing it, but he neither ordered us to perform them nor did he forbid us from doing so.”.

When we were in Al-Madinah, the moment the Muadhdhin finished the Adhan of the Maghrib prayer, the people hastened to the pillars of the mosque and performed two Rakah prayer behind them. A stranger coming into the mosque would think that the obligatory prayer had already been performed because of the number of people performing them.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “If anyone of you performs the Friday prayer, he should perform four Rakah (Sunnah) after it.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would not perform any Salat (in the mosque) after the Friday prayer till he had returned to his house. He would then perform two Rakah there.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “O people! perform your (voluntary) Salat (prayers) in your homes because the best Salat of a man is the one he performs at home, except the obligatory Salat.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Observe part of the.”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When you have finished your (Fard) Salat (prayer) in the mosque, you should observe some of your (Sunnah and Nawafil) Salat at home; Allah will bless your homes because of your Salat (in your homes).”

“Yes, I performed the Friday prayer along with him in the enclosure (Maqsurah), and when the Imam concluded the Salat with Taslim, I stood up in my place and performed the Sunnah prayer. When Muawiyah went home, he sent for me (and when I came) he said: ‘Never do again what you have done. When you have observed the Friday prayer, you must not start another Sunnah prayer till you have spoken to some one or have shifted your place; because the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) ordered us not to follow up the congregational Salat with any other Salat until we have talked (to some one) or moved from the place.’.”

The Witr prayer is not obligatory as the prescribed Salat (prayers), but the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) observed it as his regular practice (Sunnah). He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah is Witr (single, odd) and loves what is Witr. So perform Witr prayer. O followers of Qur’an, observe Witr (prayer).”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) observed Witr prayer in every part of night at the beginning, middle and at the last part. He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), however, would finish his Witr prayer before dawn.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Make Witr prayer the last of your Salat at night.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Perform Witr prayer before dawn.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform his voluntary prayer at night (i.e., Tahajjud prayer) while she was sleeping in front of him; and when the Witr prayer was yet to be observed, he would awaken her to perform her Witr prayer.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Hasten to perform the Witr prayer before dawn.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who apprehends that he may not get up in the later part of the night, should observe the Witr prayer in the first part of it; and he who is certain to get up in the last part of it, he should observe Witr at the end of the night, because Salat at the end of the night is attended (by the angels), and that is better.”.

My Khalil (The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)) directed me to fast three days of each month, and to observe two Rakah Duha (optional prayer) at forenoon, and to perform the Witr prayer before going to bed.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “In the morning, charity is due on every joint bone of the body of everyone of you. Every utterance of Allah’s Glorification (i.e., saying Subhan Allah) is an act of charity, and every utterance of His Praise (i.e., saying Al-hamdu lillah) is an act of charity and every utterance of declaration of His Greatness (i.e., saying La ilaha illAllah) is an act of charity; and enjoining Maruf (good) is an act of charity, and forbidding Munkar (evil) is an act of charity, and two Rakah Duha prayers which one performs in the forenoon is equal to all this (in reward).”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform four Rakah of Duha prayer (at the forenoon) and would add to them whatever Allah wished.

I went to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) on the day of the conquest of Makkah. He was taking a bath at that time. When he finished the bath, he performed eight Rakah (of optional) prayers. This was during the Duha (forenoon).

I saw some people performing Duha (prayers) in the early forenoon and warned them (saying): These people must know that performing Salat a little later is better. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The Salat of the penitent is to be observed when the young ones of camels feel the heat of the sun (i.e., when it becomes very hot).”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When anyone of you enters the mosque, he should perform two Rakah (of voluntary prayer) before sitting.”.

I came to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) when he was in the mosque, and he said to me, “Perform two Rakah prayer.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to Bilal (radiyallahu anhu) “Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e., one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in Jannah.”

Bilal said: “I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make Wudu (or took a bath) in an hour of night or day, I would immediately perform Salat (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to perform.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday. On that day Adam was created, he was admitted to Jannah, and he was expelled therefrom.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “If anyone performs Wudu properly, then comes to the Friday prayer, listens to the Khutbah (religious talk) attentively and keeps silent, his (minor) sins between that Friday and the following Friday will be forgiven, with the addition of three more days; but he who touches pebbles has caused an interruption. ‘.’”

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The five daily (prescribed) Salat, and Friday (prayer) to the next Friday (prayer), and the fasting of Ramadan to the next Ramadan, is expiation of the sins committed in between them, so long as major sins are avoided.”.

We heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying (while delivering Khutbah on his wooden pulpit), “Either some people (i.e., hypocrites) stop neglecting the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and they will be among the heedless.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one of you intends to come for the Friday prayer, he should take a bath.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Taking a bath (before coming to Friday prayers) is obligatory on every adult.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “It suffices to perform Wudu properly for the Friday prayer; but it is better to take a bath.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “If a man takes bath on Friday, (or) purifies himself as much as he can with Wudu, oils his hair, applies whatever perfume available in his house, sets forth for the mosque, does not separate two people (to make a seat for himself), performs Salat what is prescribed for him, remains silent when the Imam speaks, his (minor) sins between that Friday and the following Friday will be forgiven.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who takes a bath on Friday, like the bath for ceremonial purity, and then goes (to the mosque), he is like one who offers a camel as a sacrifice to seek the Pleasure of Allah; and he who comes at the second hour is like one who offers a cow to win the Pleasure of Allah; and he who comes at the third hour is like one who offers a ram with horns (in sacrifice); and he who comes at the fourth hour is like one who offers a hen; and he who comes at the fifth hour is like one who offers an egg.

And when the Imam ascends the pulpit, the angels (who write the names of those who come to the mosque before the coming of the Imam) close (their record) in order to listen to the Khutbah.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said while talking about the merits of Friday, “There is a time on Friday at which a Muslim, while he (or she) is performing Salat and is supplicating, will be granted whatever he (or she) is supplicating for.” And he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) pointed with his hand to indicate that this period of time is very short.

Abdullah ibn Umar (radiyallahu anhum) said to me: “Did you hear your father narrating something from the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) about the special moment during Friday?” I said: “Yes, I heard him report from the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam): ‘It occurs between the time when the Imam sits down (on the pulpit after the first Khutbah) and the time Salat is over.’”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Among the best of your days is Friday. On that day pray to Allah to exalt my mention frequently, for your such supplications are presented to me.”.

We left Makkah with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) for Al-Madinah, and when we were near ‘Azwara,’ he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) alighted (from his riding-camel) raised his hands in supplication to Allah for a while and prostrated himself. He remained for a long time in prostration. Then he stood up and raised his hands for a while, after which he prostrated himself (again), and remained for a long time in prostration.

Then he stood up and raised his hands for a while, after which he prostrated himself for the third time. Then he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “I supplicated my Rubb and made intercession for my Ummah, and He granted me one-third of them. So I again prostrated myself in gratitude to my Rubb. Then I raised my head and supplicated my Rubb for my Ummah, and He granted me another third of them.

Again I raised my head and supplicated my Rubb for my Ummah and He granted me the last third of them. So I fell into prostration out of gratitude before my Rubb.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) kept standing (in prayer) so long that the skin of his feet would crack. I asked him: “Why do you do this, while you have been forgiven of your former and latter sins?” He said, “Should I not be a grateful slave of Allah?”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) visited me and Fatimah (radiyallahu anha) one night and said, “Do you not observe prayer (at night)?”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “What an excellent man Abdullah is! If only he could perform optional prayers at night.” Salim said that after this, (his father) Abdullah slept very little at night.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “Do not be like so-and-so O Abdullah! He used to pray during the night, then stopped the practice.”.

Mention was made before the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) of a man who slept throughout the night till morning. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) remarked, “He is a man in whose ears Satan urinated.”.n.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When any one of you sleeps, Satan ties three knots at the back of his neck. He recites this incantation at every knot: ‘You have a long night, so sleep.’ If he awakes and remembers Allah, one knot is loosened. If he performs Wudu, the (second) knot is loosened; and if he performs prayer, (all) knots are loosened. He begins his morning in a happy and refreshed mood; otherwise, he gets up in bad spirits and sluggish state.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “O people, promote the greetings, feed (the poor and needy) and perform Salat when others are asleep so that you will enter Jannah safely.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best month for observing Saum (fasting) after Ramadan is Muharram, and the best Salat after the prescribed Salat is Salat at night.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Salat during the night should consist of pairs of but if you fear that morning is near, then pray one Rakah as Witr.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) performed the night prayer in pairs (i.e., Rakah) and made it odd number by observing one Rakah (as Witr).

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to leave off observing Saum (fasting) during a month until we thought that he would not observe Saum at all during it; and (sometimes) he would observe Saum till we began to think that he would not omit any day of that month. If one wished to see him performing Salat during the night, he could do that; and if one wished to see him sleeping at night, he could do that.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform eleven Rakah (of Tahajjud) prayers at night. He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would prostrate so long as one of you might recite fifty Ayat (of the Qur’an). Thereafter, he would perform two Rakah before Fajr prayers and would lie down on his right side till the Muadhdhin would come and inform him about the time of (Fajr) prayer.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not observe more than eleven Rakah (of Tahajjud prayers), be in Ramadan or any other month. First of all he would perform four Rakah. Ask not about their excellence and their length. He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would then perform four more Rakah; and do not ask about their excellence and their length.

Then he would perform three Rakah (Witr prayer). (Aishah (radiyallahu anha) added) I submitted: “O Messenger of Allah! Do you sleep before performing the Witr prayer?” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Aishah! My eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would sleep during the early part of night and stand in Salat during the latter part.

One night I joined the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) in his (optional) Salat. He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) prolonged the Qiyam (standing) so much that I made up my mind to commit an act of wrong. He was questioned: “What did you intend to do?” He replied: “I intended to sit down and stop following him (in Salat).”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was asked: “Which Salat is the best?” He replied, “ The best Salat is that in which Qiyam (the duration of standing) is longer.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The Salat which is dearest to Allah is that of (Prophet) Dawud; and As-Saum (the fasting) which is dearest to Allah is that of (Prophet) Dawud. He used to sleep half the night, get up to perform Salat for one-third of it, then sleep through the remaining one-sixth of it; and he used to observe Saum on alternative days.”.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Every night there is a special time during which whatever a Muslim asks Allah of any good relating to this life or the Hereafter, it will be granted to him; and this moment comes every night.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one of you gets up at night to perform (Tahajjud) prayer, let him start Salat with two short Rakah.”.

Whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) stood for Salat at night, he would start his prayer with two brief Rakah.

If the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) missed his night (Tahajjud) Salat because of indisposition or the like, he would perform twelve Rakah during the day.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “If anyone falls asleep and therefore fails to observe his Hizb (share) or part of it, if he observes it between the Fajr and the Zuhr prayers, it will be recorded for him as though he had observed it during the night.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “May Allah show mercy to a man who gets up during the night and performs Salat, awakens his wife to pray and if she refuses, he sprinkles water on her face (to make her get up). May Allah show mercy to a woman who gets up during the night and performs Salat, awakens her husband for the same purpose; and if he refuses, she sprinkles water on his face.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a man awakens his wife during the night and they both perform two Rakah Salat together, they are recorded among the men and women who celebrate remembrance of Allah.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one of you dozes off while performing Salat, he should lie down till his drowsiness has gone away from him. When one of you performs Salat while dozing, he may abuse himself instead of seeking pardon (as a result of drowsiness).”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When anyone of you stands up for Salat at night and finds it difficult to recite the Qur’an accurately and he is unaware of what he is reciting, he should go back to sleep.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who observes optional prayer (Tarawih prayers) throughout Ramadan, out of sincerity of Faith and in the hope of earning reward will have his past sins pardoned.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to urge (the people) to perform (optional Tarawih) prayer at night during the month of Ramadan. He did not order them or make it obligatory on them. He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever performs (optional Tarawih) prayers at night during the month of Ramadan, with Faith and in the hope of receiving Allah’s reward, will have his past sins forgiven.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever performs Qiyam during Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), with Faith and being hopeful of Allah’s reward, will have his former sins forgiven.”.

Some of the Companions of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saw Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree) in their dreams in the last seven nights of Ramadan, whereupon the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “I see that your dreams all agree upon the last seven nights. Whosoever seeks it, let him seek it in the last seven nights.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to seclude himself (in the mosque) during the last ten nights of Ramadan. He would say, “Search for Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree) in the last ten nights of Ramadan.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to observe Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan and say, “Seek Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree) in the odd nights out of the last ten nights of Ramadan.”.

When the last ten nights (of Ramadan) would begin, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to strive more in worship during Ramadan than he strove in any other time of the year; and he would devote himself more (in the worship of Allah) in the last ten nights of Ramadan than he strove in earlier part of the month.

I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it?” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, “You should supplicate: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fafu ‘anni (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me).’.’’”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Had I not thought it difficult for my Ummah, I would have commanded them to use the Miswak (tooth-stick) before every Salat.”.

Whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) got up (from sleep), he would rub his teeth with Miswak (tooth-stick).

We used to prepare for the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) a Miswak (tooth-stick) and the water for making Wudu. Whenever Allah wished to awaken him from sleep at night, he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would brush his teeth with Miswak, make Wudu, and perform Salat.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “I stress upon you to use Miswak (tooth- stick).”.

I asked Aishah (radiyallahu anha): “What was the first thing which the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would do when he entered his house?” She replied: “He would use Miswak (tooth-stick).”.

I came to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) once and noticed the tip of Miswak (tooth-stick) on his tongue.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The Miswak (tooth-stick) cleanses and purifies the mouth and pleases the Rubb.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are five acts which conform to the pure nature: Circumcision, removing of the pubic hair, clipping the nails, plucking the underarm hair and trimming the moustache.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are ten demands of pure nature: trimming the moustache, letting the beard grow, using Miswak (tooth-stick), snuffing up water into the nose (in ablution), paring the nails, washing the bases of the finger joints; plucking the underarm hair, removing of the pubic hair and removing impurities with water from the affected part after a call of nature.”The subnarrator said: I forgot the tenth but it might possibly be the rinsing of the mouth (in ablution).

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Trim the moustaches and let the beard grow.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “(The structure of) Islam is built on five (pillars): Testification of ‘La ilaha illallah’ (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), that Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is his slave and Messenger, the establishment of Salat, the payment of Zakat, the pilgrimage to the House of Allah (Kabah), and Saum during the month of Ramadan.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) appointed Muadh (radiyallahu anhu) as governor of Yemen, and at the time of his departure, he instructed him thus: “First of all, call the people to testify ‘La ilaha illallah’ (there is no true god except Allah) and that I (Muhammad) am the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), and if they accept this (declaration of Faith), then tell them that Allah has enjoined upon them five Salat during the day and night; and if they obey you, tell them that Allah has made the payment of Zakat obligatory upon them. It should be collected from their rich and distributed among their poor.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “I have been commanded to fight people till they testify ‘La ilaha illallah’ (there is no true god except Allah) that Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is his slave and Messenger, and they establish Salat, and pay Zakat; and if they do this, their blood (life) and property are secured except when justified by law, and it is for Allah to call them to account.”.

A man said to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam): “Direct me to a deed which may admit me to Jannah.” Upon this he (The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)) said, “Worship Allah and never associate anything with Him in worship, establish Salat, pay Zakat, and strengthen the ties of kinship.”.

A bedouin came to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Messenger of Allah! Direct me to a deed by which I may be entitled to enter Jannah.” The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Worship Allah, and never associate anything with Him, establish Salat, pay the Zakat which has been enjoined upon you, and observe Saum of Ramadan.”

He (the bedouin) said: “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, I will never add anything to these (obligations).” When he turned his back, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who wants to see a man from the dwellers of Jannah, let him look at him (bedouin).”.

I pledged allegiance to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to establish Salat, to pay the Zakat and to have the welfare of every Muslim at heart.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who spends a pair in the way of Allah will be called from the gates of Jannah: ‘O slave of Allah! This gate is better for you’ and one who is constant in Salat (prayer), will be called from the Gate of Salat; and whoever is eager in fighting in the Cause of Allah, will be called from the Gate of Jihad; and who is regular in observing Saum will be called from Ar-Raiyan Gate.

The one who is generous in charity will be called from the Gate of Charity.” Abu Bakr (radiyallahu anhu) said: “O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)! May my mother and father be sacrificed for you! Those who are called from these gates will stand in need of nothing. Will anybody be called from all of those gates?” He replied, “Yes, and I hope that you will be one of them.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “In Jannah there is a gate which is called Ar-Raiyan through which only those who observe Saum (fasting) will enter on the Day of Resurrection. None else will enter through it. It will be called out, ‘Where are those who observe fasting?’ So they will stand up and proceed towards it. When the last of them will have entered, the gate will be closed and then no one will enter through that gate.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Every slave of Allah who observes Saum (fasting) for one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will draw his face farther from Hell-fire to the extent of a distance to be covered in seventy years.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who observes fasting during the month of Ramadan with Faith while seeking its reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When Ramadan begins, the gates of Jannah are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Observe Saum (fast) on sighting the crescent and terminate it on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy before you, then complete the number (thirty days) of the month.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was the most generous of the men; and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibril visited him every night and recited the Qur’an to him. During this period, the generosity of Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) waxed faster than the rain bearing wind.

When the last ten nights (of Ramadan) would begin, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not observe Saum (fasting) for a day or two days preceding Ramadan. However, if a person is in the habit of observing Saum on a particular day (which may fall on these dates), he may fast on that day.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not observe Saum (fasting) before the advent of Ramadan. Observe Saum at sighting of the crescent of Ramadan and terminate it at sighting the crescent (of Shawwal). If the sky is overcast, complete (the month as) thirty (days).”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When there comes the middle of Shaban, don’t observe Saum (fasting).”.

He who observes the fast on a doubtful day, has in fact disobeyed Abul-Qasim, (i.e., Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)).

At the sight of the new moon (of the lunar month), the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: “Allahumma ahillahu ‘alaina bil-amni wal-iman, was-salamati wal-Islam, Rabbi wa Rabbuk-Allah, Hilalu rushdin wa khairin (O Allah, let this moon appear on us with security and Iman; with safety and Islam. (O moon!) Your Rubb and mine is Allah. May this moon be bringing guidance and good).’.”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Eat Suhur (predawn meal). Surely, there is a blessing in Suhur.”.

We took Suhur (predawn meal) with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and then we stood up for (Fajr) Salat (prayer). It was asked: “How long was the gap between the two?” He replied: “The time required for the recitation of fifty Ayat.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had two Muadhdhin: Bilal and Ibn Umm Maktum (radiyallahu anhum). The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Bilal proclaims Adhan.”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The difference between our observance of Saum (fasting) and that of the people of the Scriptures is Suhur (predawn meal in Ramadan).”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “People will continue to adhere to good as long as they hasten to break the Saum (fasting).”.

Masruq and I visited Aishah (radiyallahu anha) and said: “O Mother of the Believers! There are two Companions of Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and neither of them holds back from doing good acts; but one of them hastens to break Saum (fasting) and hastens to perform the Maghrib prayer, while the other delays breaking Saum and delays performing Salat (prayer).”

She asked, “Who is the one who hastens to break Saum and perform the Maghrib prayer?” Masruq said, “It is Abdullah (meaning Abdullah ibn Masud).” She said, “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to do so.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah the Most High says: ‘From amongst my slaves, the quicker the one is in breaking the Saum (fasting), the dearer is he to me.’”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “When the night approaches from this side (i.e., the east) and the day retreats from that side (i.e., west) and the sun sets, then it is time for a person observing Saum (fasting) to break his fast.”.

We were with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) on a journey and he was observing Saum (fasting). When the sun set, he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to a person, “Dismount and prepare the ground roasted barley drink for us.”

Upon this he replied, “O Messenger of Allah, there is daylight still.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Get down and prepare barley drink for us.”

He said, “But it is still daytime.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) again said to him, “Get down and prepare barely drink for us.” So he got down and prepared a barley liquid meal for him. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) drank that and then said, “When you perceive the night approaching from that side, a person observing Saum (fasting) should break the fast.” And he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) pointed towards the east with his hand.

I heard the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When one of you breaks his Saum (fasting), let him break it on dates; if he does not have any, break his fast with water for it is pure.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to break his Saum (fasting) before performing Maghrib prayer with three fresh date-fruits; if there were no fresh date- fruits, he will eat three dry dates; and if there were no dry date- fruits; he would take three draughts of water.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When any one of you is observing Saum (fasting) on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise the voice; and if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him he should say: ‘I am observing fast.’”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “If one does not eschew lies and false conduct, Allah has no need that he should abstain from his food and his drink.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “If any one of you forgetfully eats or drinks (while observing fasting) he should complete his Saum (fasting), for Allah has fed him and given him to drink.”.

I requested the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to talk to me about ablution. He said, “Perform the Wudu well (by washing those parts of the body, such as the face, hands and feet beyond what is required, like washing the hands up to the upper-arm instead of the elbow). Cleanse the base of your fingers and sniff water deep into the nose except when you are observing fast.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would wake up at Fajr time in a state of Janabah; so he would take bath before dawn and observe fasting.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would wake during Ramadan (fasting) in a state of major impurity without a wet dream, but on account of sexual intercourse and he would take a bath before dawn.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best month for observing Saum (fasting) next after Ramadan is the month of Allah, the Muharram; and the best Salat (prayer) next after the prescribed Salat is Salat at night (Tahajjud prayers).”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not observe voluntary Saum (fasting) so frequently during any other month as he did during Shaban. He observed Saum throughout the month of Shaban. Another narration is: He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) observed Saum during the whole month of Shaban except a few days.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are no days during which the righteous action is so pleasing to Allah than these days (i.e., the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).” He was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah?” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah, except in case one goes forth with his life and his property and does not return with either of it.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was asked about the observance of Saum (fasting) on the day of Arafah. He said, “It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year and the current year.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) observed Saum (fasting) on the day of Ashura and commanded us to fast on this day.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was asked about observing As-Saum (the fast) on the tenth day of Muharram, and he replied, “It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “If I remain alive till the next year, I shall also observe fast on the ninth of Muharram.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who observes As-Saum (the fasts) in the month of Ramadan, and also observes As-Saum for six days in the month of Shawwal, it is as if he has observed As-Saum for the whole year.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was asked about fasting on Mondays. He said, “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I received Revelation.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Deeds of people are presented (to Allah) on Mondays and Thursdays. So I like that my actions be presented while I am fasting.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to observe fast on Mondays and Thursdays.

My friend (The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)) (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) directed me to observe fast for three days in every month, to perform two Rakah (optional) Duha prayer at forenoon and to perform the Witr prayer before going to bed.

My friend (The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)) (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) directed me to observe Saum (fasting) for three days in every month, to perform two Rakah (optional) Duha prayer at forenoon, and to perform the Witr prayer before going to bed.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Observing Saum (fasting) on three days of every month is equivalent to a full month’s fasting.”.

I asked Aishah (radiyallahu anha). Did the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) use to observe three days of Saum (fasting) in every month? She replied, “Yes.” I asked, “On which days in the month did he observed fast?” She replied that he did not mind on which days of the month he observed fast.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “If you want to observe Saum on three days in a month, then fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of the (lunar) month.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) directed us to observe Saum (fasting) on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of the (lunar) month.

It was the practice of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to not to omit fast on ‘bright days’ whether he was staying at a place or on a journey.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who provides a fasting person something with which to break his fast, will earn the same reward as the one who was observing the fast, without diminishing in any way the reward of the latter.”.

Once the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) visited us and I served him some food. He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) asked me to eat. I replied that I was observing (optional) fast. He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When people eat by a person observing fast, the angels keep asking Allah’s forgiveness for that person until they have had their fill.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) came to visit Sad ibn Ubadah (radiyallahu anhu) who presented bread and olive oil to him. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) ate it and said, “The observers of fast have broken their fast with you (this is the literal translation, but the meaning is: ‘May Allah reward you for providing a fasting people with food to break their fast’); the pious people have eat your food and the angels invoked blessings on you.”.