Book Twenty One–Prayer at Night (Tahajjud)

Hadith Number 221.

Narrated by Ibn Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhu): When the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) got up at night to offer the Tahajjud prayer, he used to say: Allahumma lakal-hamd. Anta qaiyimus-samawati wal-ard wa man fihinna. Walakal-hamd, Laka mulkus-samawati wal-ard wa man fihinna. Walakal-hamd, anta nurus-samawati wal-ard. Walakalhamd, anta-l-haq wa wa'duka-l-haq, wa liqa'uka Haq, wa qualuka Haq, wal-jannatu Han wan-naru Haq wannabiyuna Haq. Wa Muhammadun, sallal-lahu'alaihi wasallam, Haq, was-sa'atu Haq. Allahumma aslamtu Laka wabika amantu, wa 'Alaika tawakkaltu, wa ilaika anabtu wa bika khasamtu, wa ilaika hakamtu faghfir li ma qaddamtu wama akh-khartu wama as-rartu wama'a lantu, anta-l-muqaddim wa anta-l-mu akh-khir, la ilaha illa anta (or la ilaha ghairuka). (O Allah! All the praises are for you, You are the Holder of the Heavens and the Earth, And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You have the possession of the Heavens and the Earth And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth And all the praises are for You; You are the King of the Heavens and the Earth; And all the praises are for You; You are the Truth and Your Promise is the truth, And to meet You is true, Your Word is the truth And Paradise is true And Hell is true And all the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam)s (Peace be upon them) are true; And Muhammad is true, And the Day of Resurrection is true. O Allah ! I surrender (my will) to You; I believe in You and depend on You. And repent to You, And with Your help I argue (with my opponents, the non-believers) And I take You as a judge (to judge between us). Please forgive me my previous And future sins; And whatever I concealed or revealed And You are the One who make (some people) forward And (some) backward. There is none to be worshipped but you. Sufyan said that 'Abdul Karim Abu Umaiya added to the above, 'Wala haula Wala quwata illa billah' (There is neither might nor power except with Allah).


Hadith Number 222.

Narrated by Salim's father (Radhi Allahu Anhu): In the life-time of the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) whosoever saw a dream would narrate it to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam). I had a wish of seeing a dream to narrate it to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam), I was a grown up boy and used to sleep in the Masjid in the life-time of the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam). I saw in the dream that two angels caught hold of me and took me to the Fire which was built all round like a built well and had two poles in it and the people in it were known to me. I started saying, "I seek refuge with Allah from the Fire." Then I met another angel who told me not to be afraid. I narrated the dream to Hafsa (Radhi Allahu Anha) who told it to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam). The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Abdullah is a good man. I wish he prayed Tahajjud." After that 'Abdullah (i.e. Salim's father) used to sleep but a little at night.


Hadith Number 223.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to offer eleven Rakat and that was his prayer. He used to prolong the prostration to such an extent that one could recite fifty verses (of the Qur’an) before he would lift his head. He used to pray two Rakat (Sunnah) before the Fajr prayer and then used to lie down on his right side till the call-maker came and informed him about the prayer.


Hadith Number 224.

Narrated by Jundab (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) became sick and did not get up (for Tahajjud prayer) for a night or two.


Hadith Number 225.

Narrated by Jundab bin 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Jibril did not come to the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) (for some time) and so one of the Quraish women said, "His Satan has deserted him." So came the Divine Revelation: "By the forenoon and by the night When it is still! Your Lord (O Muhammad) has neither Forsaken you Nor hated you." (Surah 93.1-3)


Hadith Number 226.

Narrated by Um Salama (Radhi Allahu Anha): One night the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) got up and said, "Subhan Allah! How many afflictions Allah has revealed tonight and how many treasures have been sent down (disclosed). Go and wake the sleeping lady occupants of these dwellings up (for prayers), perhaps a well-dressed in this world may be naked in the Hereafter."


Hadith Number 227.

Narrated by 'Ali bin Abi Talib : One night Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) came to me and Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and asked, "Won't you pray (at night)?" I said, "O Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam)! Our souls are in the hands of Allah and if He wants us to get up He will make us get up." When I said that, he left us without saying anything and I heard that he was hitting his thigh and saying, "But man is more quarrelsome than anything." (Surah Al-Kahf 18:54)


Hadith Number 228.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to give up a good deed, although he loved to do it, for fear that people might act on it and it might be made compulsory for them. The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) never prayed the Duha prayer, but I offer it.


Hadith Number 229.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): (The mother of the faithful believers) One night Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) offered the prayer in the Masjid and the people followed him. The next night he also offered the prayer and too many people gathered. On the third and the fourth nights more people gathered, but Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) did not come out to them. In the morning he said, "I saw what you were doing and nothing but the fear that it (i.e. the prayer) might be enjoined on you, stopped me from coming to you." And that happened in the month of Ramadan.


Hadith Number 230.

Narrated by Al-Mughira (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) and he (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Should I not be a thankful slave."

Hadith Number 231.

Narrated by Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) told me, "The most beloved prayer to Allah is that of David and the most beloved fasts to Allah are those of David. He used to sleep for half of the night and then pray for one third of the night and again sleep for its sixth part and used to fast on alternate days."


Hadith Number 232.

Narrated by Masruq : I asked 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) which deed was most loved by the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam). She said, "A deed done continuously." I further asked, "When did he used to get up (in the night for the prayer)." She said, "He used to get up on hearing the crowing of a cock."


Hadith Number 233.

Narrated by Al-Ashath (Radhi Allahu Anhu): He (the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam)) used to get up for the prayer on hearing the crowing of a cock.


Hadith Number 234.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): In my house he (Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam)) ever passed the last hours of the night but sleeping.


Hadith Number 235.

Narrated by Qatada: Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, "The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and Zaid bin Thabit took their Suhur together. When they finished it, the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) stood for the (Fajr) prayer and offered it." We asked Anas, "What was the interval between their finishing the Suhur and the starting of the morning prayer?" Anas replied, "It was equal to the time taken by a person in reciting fifty verses of the Qur’an."


Hadith Number 236.

Narrated by Abu-Wa il: 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhum) said, "One night I offered the Tahajjud prayer with the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and he kept on standing till an ill-thought came to me." We said, "What was the ill-thought?" He said, "It was to sit down and leave the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) (standing)."


Hadith Number 237.

Narrated by Hudhaifa (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Whenever the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) got up for Tahajjud prayer he used to clean his mouth (and teeth) with Siwak.


Hadith Number 238.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu): A man said, "O Allah's Messenger! How is the prayer of the night?" He (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Two Rakat followed by two Rakat and so on, and when you apprehend the approaching dawn, offer one Rak’ah as Witr."


Hadith Number 239.

Narrated by (Radhi Allahu Anhu) Ibn Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The prayer of the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to be of thirteen Rakat, i.e. of the night prayer.


Hadith Number 240.

Narrated by Masruq: I asked 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) about the night prayer of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and she said, "It was seven, nine or eleven Rakat besides the two Rakat of the Fajr prayer (i.e. Sunnah)."


Hadith Number 241.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to offer thirteen Rakat of the night prayer and that included the Witr and two Rakat (Sunnah) of the Fajr prayer.


Hadith Number 242.

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Sometimes Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) would not fast (for so many days) that we thought that he would not fast that month and he sometimes used to fast (for so many days) that we thought he would not leave fasting through-out that month and (as regards his prayer and sleep at night), if you wanted to see him praying at night, you could see him praying and if you wanted to see him sleeping, you could see him sleeping.


Hadith Number 243.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Satan puts three knots at the back of the head of any of you if he is asleep. On every knot he reads and exhales the following words, 'The night is long, so stay asleep.' When one wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is undone; and when one performs ablution, the second knot is undone, and when one prays the third knot is undone and one gets up energetic with a good heart in the morning; otherwise one gets up lazy and with a mischievous heart."


Hadith Number 244.

Narrated by Samura bin Jundab (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said in his narration of a dream that he saw, "He whose head was being crushed with a stone was one who learnt the Qur’an but never acted on it, and slept ignoring the compulsory prayers."


Hadith Number 245.

Narrated by 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): A person was mentioned before the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and he was told that he had kept on sleeping till morning and had not got up for the prayer. The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Satan urinated in his ears."


Hadith Number 246.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: "Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?"

Hadith Number 247.

Narrated by Al-Aswad: I asked 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) "How is the night prayer of the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam)?" She replied, "He used to sleep early at night, and get up in its last part to pray, and then return to his bed. When the Muadhdhin pronounced the Adhan, he would get up. If he was in need of a bath he would take it; otherwise he would perform ablution and then go out (for the prayer)."


Hadith Number 248.

Narrated by Abu Salma bin 'Abdur Rahman : I asked 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha), "How is the prayer of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) during the month of Ramadan." She said, "Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) never exceeded eleven Rakat in Ramadan or in other months; he used to offer four Rakat... do not ask me about their beauty and length, then four Rakat, do not ask me about their beauty and length, and then three Rakat." 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) further said, "I said, 'O Allah's Messenger! Do you sleep before offering the Witr prayer?' He (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) replied, 'O 'Aishah! My eyes sleep but my heart remains awake!'"


Hadith Number 249.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): I did not see the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) reciting (the Qur’an) in the night prayer while sitting except when he became old; when he used to recite while sitting, and when thirty or forty verses remained from the Sura, he would get up and recite them and then bow.


Hadith Number 250.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) : At the time of the Fajr prayer the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) asked Bilal, "Tell me of the best deed you did after embracing Islam, for I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise." Bilal (Radhi Allahu Anhu) replied, "I did not do anything worth mentioning except that whenever I performed ablution during the day or night, I prayed after that ablution as much as was written for me."


Hadith Number 251A
.
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Once the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) entered the Masjid and saw a rope hanging in between its two pillars. He (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "What is this rope?" The people said, "This rope is for Zainab who, when she feels tired, holds it (to keep standing for the prayer.)" The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Don't use it. Remove the rope. You should pray as long as you feel active, and when you get tired, sit down."


Hadith Number 251B.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): A woman from the tribe of Bani Asad was sitting with me and Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) came to my house and said, "Who is this?" I said, "(She is) So and so. She does not sleep at night because she is engaged in prayer." The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said disapprovingly: Do (good) deeds which is within your capacity as Allah never gets tired of giving rewards till you get tired of doing good deeds."


Hadith Number 252.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said to me, "O 'Abdullah! Do not be like so and so who used to pray at night and then stopped the night prayer."


Hadith Number 253.

Narrated by 'Ubada bin As-Samit : The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) "Whoever gets up at night and says: 'La ilaha il-lallah Wahdahu la Sharika lahu Lahu-l-mulk, waLahu-l-hamd wahuwa 'ala kullishai'in Qadir. Alhamdu lil-lahi wa subhanal-lahi wa la-ilaha il-lal-lah wa-l-lahu akbar wa la hawla Wala Quwata il-la-bil-lah.' (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. He is the Only One and has no partners. For Him is the Kingdom and all the praises are due for Him. He is Omnipotent. All the praises are for Allah. All the glories are for Allah. And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, And Allah is Great And there is neither Might nor Power Except with Allah). And then says: Allahumma, Ighfir li(O Allah! Forgive me). Or invokes (Allah), he will be responded to and if he performs ablution (and prays), his prayer will be accepted."


Hadith Number 254.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): That once Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Your brother, (i.e. 'Abdullah bin Rawaha) does not say obscene (referring to his verses). “Amongst us is Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam), who recites His Book when it dawns. He showed us the guidance, after we were blind. We believe that whatever he says will come true. And he spends his nights in such a way as his sides do not touch his bed. While the pagans were deeply asleep."


Hadith Number 255.

Narrated by Nafi: Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhum) said, "In the life-time of the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) I dreamt that a piece of silk cloth was in my hand and it flew with me to whichever part of Paradise I wanted. I also saw as if two persons (i.e. angels) came to me and wanted to take me to Hell. Then an angel met us and told me not to be afraid. He then told them to leave me. Hafsa (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) narrated one of my dreams to the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Abdullah is a good man. Would that he offer the night prayer (Tahajjud)!" So after that day 'Abdullah (bin 'Umar) started offering Tahajjud. The companions of the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to tell him their dreams that (Laila-tul-Qadr) was on the 27th of the month of Ramadan. The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "I see that your dreams agree on the last ten nights of Ramadan and so whoever is in search of it should seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan."


Hadith Number 256.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) offered the 'Isha' prayer (and then got up at the Tahajjud time) and offered eight Rakat and then offered two Rakat while sitting. He then offered two Rakat in between the Adhan and Iqama (of the Fajr prayer) and he never missed them.

Hadith Number 257.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to lie down on his right side, after offering two Rakat (Sunnah) of the Fajr prayer.


Hadith Number 258.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): After offering the Sunnah of the Fajr prayer, the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to talk to me, if I happen to be awake; otherwise he would lie down till the Iqamah call was proclaimed (for the Fajr prayer).


Hadith Number 259.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): After offering the two Rakat (Sunnah) the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to talk to me, if I happen to be awake; otherwise he would lie down.


Hadith Number 260.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) was never more regular and particular in offering any Nawafil than the two Rakat (Sunnah) of the Fajr prayer.


Hadith Number 261.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to offer thirteen Rakat in the night prayer and on hearing the Adhan for the morning prayer, he used to offer two light Rakat.


Hadith Number 262.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to make the two Rakat before the Fajr prayer so light that I would wonder whether he recited Al-Fatihah (or not).


Hadith Number 263.

Narrated by Jabir bin 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to teach us the way of doing Istikharah (Istikharah means to ask Allah to guide one to the right sort of action concerning any job or a deed), in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of the Qur’an. He said, "If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two Rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer): 'Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa as'alaka min fadlika al-'azlm Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala aqdiru, Wa ta'lamu Wala a'lamu, Wa anta 'allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta'lam anna hadha-l-amra Khairun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa'aqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa'ajilihi) Faqdirhu wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha-lamra shar-run li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa'aqibati amri (or fi'ajili amri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdir li al-khaira haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi.' (O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, And Power from Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this job is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter... (or said: If it is better for my present and later needs). Then You ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it, and if You know that this job is harmful to me In my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter... (or said: If it is worse for my present and later needs). Then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, And make me satisfied with it). The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) added that then the person should name (mention) his need.


Hadith Number 264.

Narrated by Abu Qatada bin Rabi Al-Ansari (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "If anyone of you enters a Masjid, he should not sit until he has offered a two-Rakat prayer."


Hadith Number 265.

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) led us and offered a two Rakat prayer and then went away.


Hadith Number 266.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Umar Abu (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I offered with Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) a two Rakat prayer before the Dhuhr prayer and two Rakat after the dhuhr prayer, two Rakat after Jumu’ah, Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers.


Hadith Number 267.

Narrated by Jabir bin 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): While delivering a sermon, Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "If anyone of you comes while the Imam is delivering the sermon or has come out for it, he should offer a two Rakat prayer."


Hadith Number 268.

Narrated by Mujahid: Somebody came to the house of Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) and told him that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) had entered the Ka'bah. Ibn 'Umar said, "I went in front of the Ka'bah and found that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) had come out of the Ka'bah and I saw Bilal standing by the side of the gate of the Ka'bah. I said, 'O Bilal! Has Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) prayed inside the Ka'bah?' Bilal replied in the affirmative. I said, 'Where (did he pray)?' He replied, '(He prayed) Between these two pillars and then he came out and offered a two Rakat prayer in front of the Ka'bah.' "Abu 'Abdullah said: Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, "The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) advised me to offer two Rakat of Duha prayer (prayer to be offered after sunrise and before midday). " Itban (bin Malik) said, "Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and Abu Bakr, came to me after sunrise and we aligned behind the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and offered two Rakat."


Hadith Number 269.

Narrated by Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I offered with the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) two Rakat before the Dhuhr and two Rakat after the Dhuhr prayer; two Rakat after Maghrib, Isha' and the Jumu’ah prayers. Those of the Maghrib and 'Isha' were offered in his house. My sister Hafsa (Radhi Allahu Anha) told me that the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to offer two light Rakat after dawn and it was the time when I never went to the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam)."

Hadith Number 270.

Narrated by 'Amr : I heard Abu Ash-sha'tha' Jabir saying, "I heard Ibn Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhu) saying, 'I offered with Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) eight Rakat (of Dhuhr and 'Asr prayers) together and seven Rakat (the Maghrib and the 'Isha' prayers) together.' I said, "O Abu Ash-Shatha! I think he must have prayed the Dhuhr late and the 'Asr early; the 'Isha early and the Maghrib late." Abu Ash-sha'tha' said, "I also think so." (See Hadith No. 518 Vol. 1).


Hadith Number 271.

Narrated by Muwarriq: I asked Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu) "Do you offer the Duha prayer?" He replied in the negative. I further asked, "Did 'Umar use to pray it?" He (Ibn 'Umar) replied in the negative. I again asked, "Did Abu Bakr use to pray it?" He replied in the negative. I again asked, "Did the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) use to pray it?" Ibn 'Umar replied, "I don't think he did."


Hadith Number 272.

Narrated by 'Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila: Only Um Hani (Radhi Allahu Anhu) narrated to me that she had seen the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) offering the Duha prayer. She said, "On the day of the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) entered my house, took a bath and offered eight Rakat (of Duha prayers. I had never seen the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) offering such a light prayer but he performed bowing and prostrations perfectly.


Hadith Number 273.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): I never saw the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) offering the Duha prayer but I always offer it.


Hadith Number 274.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) : My friend (the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam)) advised me to do three things and I shall not leave them till I die, these are: To fast three days every month, to offer the Duha prayer, and to offer Witr before sleeping.


Hadith Number 275.

Narrated by Anas bin Sirin: I heard Anas bin Malik al-Ansari saying, "An Ansari man, who was very fat, said to the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam), 'I am unable to present myself for the prayer with you.' He prepared a meal for the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and invited him to his house. He washed one side of a mat with water and the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) offered two Rakat on it." So and so, the son of so and so, the son of Al-Jarud asked Anas, "Did the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) use to offer the Duha prayer?" Anas replied, "I never saw him praying (the Duha prayer) except on that day."


Hadith Number 275A.

Narrated by Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): I remember ten Rakat of Nawafil from the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam), two Rakat before the Dhuhr prayer and two after it; two Rakat after Maghrib prayer in his house, and two Rakat after 'Isha' prayer in his house, and two Rakat before the Fajr prayer and at that time nobody would enter the house of the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) Hafsa (Radhi Allahu Anhua) told me that the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to offer two Rakat after the call maker had made the Adhan and the day had dawned.


Hadith Number 276.

Narrated by Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) never missed four Rakat before the Dhuhr prayer and two Rakat before the Fajr prayer.


Hadith Number 277.

Narrated by 'Abdullah Al-Muzni: The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Pray before the Maghrib (compulsory) prayer." He (said it thrice) and in the third time, he said, "Whoever wants to offer it can do so." He said so because he did not like the people to take it as a tradition.


Hadith Number 278.

Narrated by Marthad bin 'Abdullah Al-Yazani : I went to 'Uqba bin 'Amir Al-Juhani and said, "Is it not surprising that Abi Tamim offers two Rakat before the Maghrib prayer?" 'Uqba said, "We used to do so in the life-time of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam)." I asked him, "What prevents you from offering it now?" He replied, "Business."


Hadith Number 279.

Narrated by Mahmud bin Ar-rabi' Al-Ansari (Radhi Allahu Anhu): That he remembered Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and he also remembered a mouthful of water which he had thrown on his face, after taking it from a well that was in their house. Mahmud said that he had heard Itban bin Malik, who was present with Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) in the battle of Badr saying, "I used to lead my people at Bani Salim in the prayer and there was a valley between me and those people. Whenever it rained it used to be difficult for me to cross it to go to their Masjid. So I went to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and said, 'I have weak eye-sight and the valley between me and my people flows during the rainy season and it becomes difficult for me to cross it; I wish you would come to my house and pray at a place so that I could take that place as a praying place.' Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, 'I will do so.' So Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and Abu Bakr came to my house in the (next) morning after the sun had risen high. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) asked my permission to let him in and I admitted him. He did not sit before saying, 'Where do you want us to offer the prayer in your house?' I pointed to the place where I wanted him to pray. So Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) stood up for the prayer and started the prayer with Takbir and we aligned in rows behind him; and he offered two Rakat, and finished them with Taslim, and we also performed Taslim with him. I detained him for a meal called "Khazir" which I had prepared for him. ("Khazir" is a special type of dish prepared from barley flour and meat soup).

When the neighbors got the news that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) was in my house, they poured it till there were a great number of men in the house. One of them said, 'What is wrong with Malik, for I do not see him?' One of them replied, 'He is a hypocrite and does not love Allah and His Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam).' On that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, 'Don't say this. Haven't you seen that he said, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah for Allah's sake only.' The man replied, 'Allah and His Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) know better; but by Allah, we never saw him but helping and talking with the hypocrites.' Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) replied, 'No doubt, whoever says. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and by that he wants the pleasures of Allah, then Allah will save him from Hell." Mahmud added, "I told the above narration to some people, one of whom was Ab-u Aiyub, the companion of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) in the battle in which he (Abu Aiyub) died and Yazid bin Mu'awiya was their leader in Roman Territory. Abu Aiyub denounced the narration and said, 'I doubt that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) ever said what you have said.' I felt that too much, and I vowed to Allah that if I remained alive in that holy battle, I would (go to Al-Madinah and) ask Itban bin Malik if he was still living in the Masjid of his people. So when he returned, I assumed Ihram for Hajj or 'Umrah and then I proceeded on till I reached Al-Madinah. I went to Bani Salim and Itban bin Malik, who was by then an old blind man, was leading his people in the prayer. When he finished the prayer, I greeted him and introduced myself to him and then asked him about that narration. He told that narration again in the same manner as he had narrated it the first time."

Hadith Number 280.

Narrated by Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Offer some of your prayers in your houses and do not make them graves."


Hadith Number 281.

Narrated by Quza'a: I heard Abu Said (Radhi Allahu Anhu) saying four words. He said, "I heard the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) (saying the following narrative)." He had participated in twelve holy battles with the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam).

Narrated Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Do not set out on a journey except for three Masajid i.e. Al-Masjid-AI-Haram, the Masjid of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam), and the Masjid of Al-Aqsa, (Masjid of Jerusalem)."


Hadith Number 282.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "One prayer in my Masjid is better than one thousand prayers in any other Masjid excepting Al-Masjid-AI-Haram."


Hadith Number 283.

Narrated by Nafi': Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) never offered the Duha prayer except on two occasions:

1. Whenever he reached Makkah; and he always used to reach Mecca in the forenoon. He would perform Tawaf round the Ka'bah and then offer two Rakat at the rear of Maqam Ibrahim.
2. Whenever he visited Quba, for he used to visit it every Saturday. When he entered the Masjid, he disliked to leave it without offering a prayer. Ibn 'Umar narrated that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to visit the Masjid of Quba (sometime) walking and (sometime) riding. And he (i.e. Ibn 'Umar) used to say, "I do only what my companions used to do and I don't forbid anybody to pray at any time during the day or night except that one should not intend to pray at sunrise or sunset."


Hadith Number 284.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin Dinar: Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) said, "The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to go to the Masjid of Quba every Saturday (sometimes) walking and (sometimes) riding." 'Abdullah (Ibn 'Umar) used to do the same.


Hadith Number 285.

Narrated by Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to go to the Masjid of Quba (sometimes) walking and sometimes riding. Added Nafi (Radhi Allahu Anhu) (in another narration), "He then would offer two Rakat (in the Masjid of Quba)."


Hadith Number 286.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin Zaid Al-Mazini : Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Between my house and the pulpit there is a garden of the gardens of Paradise."


Hadith Number 287.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Between my house and my pulpit there is a garden of the gardens of Paradise, and my pulpit is on my fountain tank (i.e. Al-Kauthar)."


Hadith Number 288.

Narrated by Qaza'a Maula : (Freed slave of) Ziyad: I heard Abu Said Al-Khudri narrating four things from the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and I appreciated them very much. He said, conveying the words of the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam).

1. "A woman should not go on a two day journey except with her husband or a Dhu-Mahram.
2. No fasting is permissible on two days: 'Id-ul-Fitr and 'Id-ul-Adha.
3. No prayer after two prayers, i.e. after the Fajr prayer till the sunrises and after the 'Asr prayer till the sun sets.
4. Do not prepare yourself for a journey except to three Masajid, i.e. Al-Masjid-AI-Haram, the Masjid of Aqsa (Jerusalem) and my Masjid."