One for the Rider, Two for the Horse (Hadith No. 2510)

Bismillah.

Ahadith 2507 – 25 (below) are repeats. See linked text for related posts.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 112 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Horses are kept for one of three purposes; for some people they are a source of reward, for some others they are a means of shelter and for some others they are a source of sins. The one for whom they are a source of reward, is he who keeps a horse for Allah’s Cause (i.e. Jihad) tying it with a long tether on a meadow or in a garden with the result that whatever it eats from the area of the meadow or the garden where it is tied will be counted as good deeds for his benefit, and if it should break its rope and jump over one or two hillocks then all its dung and its foot marks will be written as good deeds for him; and if it passes by a river and drinks water from it even though he had no intention of watering it, even then he will get the reward for its drinking. As for the man for whom horses are a source of sins, he is the one who keeps a horse for the sake of pride and pretense and showing enmity for Muslims: such a horse will be a source of sins for him. When Allah’s Apostle was asked about donkeys, he replied, “Nothing has been revealed to me about them except this unique, comprehensive Verse: “Then anyone who does an atom’s (or a small ant’s) weight of good shall see it; And anyone who does an atom’s (or a small ant’s) weight of evil, shall see it.’ (101.7-8)

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 113 :
Narrated by Muslim from Abu Aqil from Abu Al-Mutawakkil An-Naji
I called on Jabir bin ‘Abdullah Al-Ansari (radiallaahu `anhu) and said to him, “Relate to me what you have heard from Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam).” He said, “I accompanied him on one of the journeys.” (Abu Aqil said, “I do not know whether that journey was for the purpose of Jihad or ‘Umra.”) “When we were returning,” Jabir (radiallaahu `anhu) continued, the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, ‘Whoever wants to return earlier to his family, should hurry up.’ We set off and I was on a black red tainted camel having no defect, and the people were behind me. While I was in that state the camel stopped suddenly (because of exhaustion). On that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said to me, ‘O Jabir, wait!’ Then he hit it once with his lash and it started moving on a fast pace. He then said, ‘Will you sell the camel?’ I replied in the affirmative when we reached Medina, and the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) went to the Mosque along with his companions. I, too, went to him after tying the camel on the pavement at the Mosque gate. Then I said to him, ‘This is your camel.’ He came out and started examining the camel and saying, ‘The camel is ours.’ Then the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) sent some Awaq (i.e. an amount) of gold saying, ‘Give it to Jabir.’ Then he asked, ‘Have you taken the full price (of the camel)?’ I replied in the affirmative. He said, ‘Both the price and the camel are for you.’ ”

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 114 :
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu)
There was a feeling of fright in Medina, so the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) borrowed a horse called Mandub belonging to Abu Talha (radiallaahu `anhu) and mounted it. (On his return), he said, “I did not see anything of fright and I found this horse very fast.”

Today’s Hadith:

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 115 :
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) fixed two shares for the horse and one share for its rider (from the war booty).

With regard to ghaneemah (booty), it is obligatory according to sharee’ah for the imaam (leader) or the commander of the mujaahideen or the one who is responsible for them or in charge of them, to gather the booty and divide it into five equal parts, one of which is to be distributed to the groups mentioned by Allaah in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“And know that whatever of war-booty that you may gain, verily, one-fifth (1/5th) of it is assigned to Allaah, and to the Messenger, and to the near relatives [of the Messenger (Muhammad)], (and also) the orphans, Al‑Masaakin (the poor) and the wayfarer” [al-Anfaal 8:41]

The other four-fifths are to be shared out among the mujaahideen who took part in the fighting, by giving one share to each foot-soldier and three shares to each horseman (one share for him and two for his horse – this is if horses were used in the fighting). This wealth is permissible and good for the Muslim army, and has been allowed for them by Allaah, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good’ [al-Anfaal 8:69].

What is meant by al-khums (the one-fifth), is what referred to in the aayah [al-Anfaal 8:41] and this is this first share to be distributed. The way it is to be distributed is as follows:

1.     A share for Allaah and His Messenger, which is to be used to serve the common interest of the Muslims, not for any specific person(s). Allaah has stated that this is for Him and for His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Allaah and His Messenger have no need of it, therefore we know that it is for the slaves of Allaah. The fact that Allaah did not state that it was for anyone in particular indicates that it should be spent to serve the common interests of all. (Tafseer Ibn Sa’di, 3/169)

2.     A share for the relatives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) from Bani Haashim and Bani al-Muttalib. They are all equally entitled to it, rich and poor, male and female.

3.     Orphans – those who have lost their fathers whilst they are still young i.e., before the age of puberty.

4.     The poor and needy.

5.     The wayfarer, i.e. travellers who are cut off and need money in order to get back home.

Taken from IslamQA

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Bad Omens (Ahadith 2505 – 2506)

Bismillah.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 110 :
Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu)
I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) saying. “Evil omen is in three things: The horse, the woman and the house.”

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 111 :
Narrated by Sahl bin Sad Saidi (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said “If there is any evil omen in anything, then it is in the woman, the horse and the house.”

What is proven in the Sunnah is that it is forbidden to believe in bad omens (tatayyur) or warn others about them, and that this is a kind of shirk. For example, al-Bukhaari (5776) and Muslim (2224) narrated from Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no ‘adwa (transmission of infectious disease without the permission of Allaah) and no tiyarah (superstitious belief in bird omens), but I like optimism.” They said, “What is optimism?” He said, “A good word.”

Ahmad (4194), Abu Dawood (3910), al-Tirmidhi (1614) and Ibn Maajah (3538) narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Tiyarah (belief in evil omens) is shirk.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

Ahmad (7045) and al-Tabaraani narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever lets tiyarah stop him from doing something is guilty of shirk.” They said, “What is the kafaarah for that?” He said, “To say: Allaahumma la khayra illaa khayruka wa laa tayra illaa tayruka wa laa ilaaha ghayruka (O Allaah, there is no good except Your good, no birds (omens) except from You, and there is no god beside You).” [Classed as hasan by al-Arna’oot and as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 6264]

Al-Tabaraani narrated in al-Kabeer from ‘Imraan ibn Husayn that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “He is not one of us who practices augury [seeking omens in birds] or has that done for him, or who practices divination or has that done for him, or who practices witchcraft or has that done for him.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 5435.

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Sharh Muslim, no. 2224:

Tatayyur (belief in bad omens) is pessimism, and is based on something disliked, be it a word or action or something seen… They used to startle birds to make them move; if they went to the right they would regard that as a good omen and go ahead with their journeys or other plans, but if they went to the left they would cancel their journeys and plans, and regard that as a bad omen. So it would often prevent them from doing things that were in their interests. Islam cancelled out all that and forbade it, and said that it had no effect, whether good or bad. This is what is meant by the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “There is no tiyarah (superstitious belief in bird omens),” and in another hadeeth, “Tiyarah is shirk” – i.e., the belief that it can bring benefit or harm, if they act upon it believing that it has any effect, then this is shirk, because they think that it has an effect on what one does or that it can make things happen.

This is the basic principle regarding bad omens (tatayyur). But there are ahaadeeth which indicate that a bad omen may be in a woman, a house or a horse.

Al-Bukhaari (5093) and Muslim (2252) narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Bad omens are in a woman, a house and a horse.”

Al-Bukhaari (5094) and Muslim, (2252) narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: Mention of bad omens was made in the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If bad omens are to be found in anything, it is in a house, a woman and a horse.”

Abu Dawood (3924) narrated that Anas ibn Maalik said: A man said: “O Messenger of Allaah, we were in a house and our numbers and wealth were great, then we moved to another house where our numbers and wealth decreased.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Leave it, it is bad.” This hadeeth was classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

The scholars differed concerning these ahaadeeth and how to reconcile them with the ahaadeeth that forbid tatayyur. Some of them interpreted them as they appear to be, and said that this is an exception from the ruling on tatayyur, i.e., that tatayyur is forbidden unless a person has a house which he does not want to live in, or a wife whom he does not want to keep company with, or a horse or servant, all of which he should get rid of by selling them, or by divorcing the wife.

Others said that a house may be regarded as a bad omen when it is too small, or there are bad neighbours who cause trouble; a woman may be regarded as a bad omen when she does not produce children, or she has a sharp tongue, or she behaves in a suspicious manner; a horse may be regarded as a bad omen when it is not used in jihad, or it was said, when it is difficult to handle or it is too expensive; and a servant may be regarded as a bad omen when he has a bad attitude or is not trustworthy or reliable.

Sharh al-Nawawi ‘ala Muslim.

The correct view is that all types of belief in bad omens are condemned, and that no kinds of women, houses or animals can cause harm or bring benefit except by Allaah’s leave. Allaah is the Creator of both good and evil. A person may be tested with a wife who has a bad attitude, or a house in which there is a lot of problems, in which case it is prescribed for him to rid himself of these things, fleeing from the decree of Allaah to the decree of Allaah, and so as to avoid falling into pessimism and belief in bad omens which is forbidden.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“Another group said: regarding these three as bad omens only affects those who believe in that. Whoever puts his trust in Allaah and does not believe in omens and superstition, that does not affect him. They said: this is indicated by the hadeeth of Anas, ‘A bad omen only affects the one who believes in it.’ If a person believes in bad omens, Allaah may make that the cause of bad things happening to him, just as He may make trust in Him and making Him alone the focus of one’s fear and hope one of the main causes of warding off evil that people may superstitiously expect.

The reason for that is that tiyarah (superstitious belief in omens) implies shirk or associating others with Allaah, fearing others besides Him and not putting one’s trust in Him. The superstitious person attracts evil to himself, so the superstition affects him more, because he did not protect himself with belief in Allaah alone and trust in Allaah. If a person fears something other than Allaah, it gains control over him and he is tormented by it; if he loves something else as well as Allaah, he will be tormented by it; if he puts his hope in something alongside Allaah he will be let down by it. These matters are well known from real life and there is no need to provide further evidence. Everyone inevitably feels superstitious but the strong believer wards off those superstitious feelings by putting his trust in Allaah. Whoever puts his trust in Allaah, He will suffice him and he will have no need of anyone or anything else. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“So when you want to recite the Qur’aan, seek refuge with Allaah from Shaytaan (Satan), the outcast (the cursed one).

Verily, he has no power over those who believe and put their trust only in their Lord (Allaah).

His power is only over those who obey and follow him (Satan), and those who join partners with Him (Allaah, i.e. those who are Mushrikoon, i.e., polytheists)”

[al-Nahl 16:98]

Hence Ibn Mas’ood said: “All of us sometimes feel superstitious, but Allaah causes it to disappear when we put our trust in Him.” They said: superstition with regard to houses, women and horses may affect only those who believe in it; as for the one who puts his trust in Allaah and fears Him alone, and does not believe in bad omens, then horses, women and houses cannot be bad omens for him.

Then he said:

Whoever believes that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) attributed a superstitious effect to anything in the sense that it may have an effect in and of itself independently of Allaah is telling a serious lie against Allaah and His Messenger and has gone far astray. His speaking of bad omens existing in these three things does not constitute proof of what he had denied before. All it means is that Allaah may a superstitious effect in objects for those who come near them or live in them, and there may be some blessing in some objects, and anyone who comes nears them is not affected by bad omens or anything bad. This is like when Allaah gives parents a blessed child and they experience goodness because of him, whilst He gives others a mean child and they experience bad things because of him. This applies to what may Allaah may bestow on His slave of houses, wives and horses. Allaah is the Creator of good and evil, good luck and bad luck. So some of these things may be “lucky” and blessed and bring happiness for those who come into contact with them, so they are blessed; and some of them may be “unlucky” and bring “bad luck” to those who come into contact with them, all by the will and decree of Allaah, just as He has created all other causes and effects which may vary. So He has created musk and other fragrant substances, which give delight to all those who come into contact with them, and He has created their opposites which cause disgust to all those who come into contact with them. The difference between the two types is known from experience. The same applies to houses, women and horses. This is one thing, and the shirki belief in bad omens is something else altogether.

He said concerning the Prophet’s command to that family to leave that house, as mentioned in the hadeeth quoted above:

This is not the kind of superstition that is forbidden. Rather he told them to leave it when they started to think along these lines, in order to achieve two aims and two benefits:

1 – It was so that they would leave a place that they disliked and felt scared in because of what had happened to them there, so that they might find relief from the panic, grief and depression that assailed them there, because Allaah has made it man’s nature to hate that which causes him harm even though it is not the fault of that thing, and to love that which brings him happiness, even though the thing itself does not intend to do good. So he commanded them to leave that which they disliked, because Allaah sent him as a mercy, and did not send him as a torment. He sent him to make things easy, not to make things hard. So how could he have told them to stay in a place where they were unhappy and felt scared to stay because of the great losses they had suffered there, when that would serve no purpose of worship or increase their piety or guidance, especially when they had stayed there for so long after they had begun to feel uncomfortable there which made them superstitious. So this protected them from two serious things:

1 – Committing shirk

2 – Protecting them from something bad happening to them because of their superstition, which usually affects those who believe in it. So he protected them because of his great mercy and kindness from these two disliked things, by telling them to leave that house and move to another without any harm coming to them with regard to either their worldly or religious interests.

Miftaah Daar al-Sa’aadah, 2/258

And Allaah knows best.

Taken from IslamQA

Naming Animals (Ahadith 2502 – 2504)

Bismillah.

Hadith no. 2501 (below) is a repeat. Read it here.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 106 :
Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin Abi Qatada
(from his father) Abu Qatada (radiallaahu `anhu) went out (on a journey) with Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) but he was left behind with some of his companions who were in the state of Ihram. He himself was not in the state of Ihram. They saw an opener before he could see it. When they saw the opener*, they did not speak anything till Abu Qatada (radiallaahu `anhu) saw it. So, he rode over his horse called Al-Jarada and requested them to give him his lash, but they refused. So, he himself took it and then attacked the opener and slaughtered it. He ate of its meat and his companions ate, too, but they regretted their eating. When they met the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) (they asked him about it) and he asked, “Have you some of its meat (left) with you?” Abu Qatada (radiallaahu `anhu) replied, “Yes, we have its leg with us.” So, the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) took and ate it.

*I honestly think this is a typo, unless “opener” really means wild donkey in some form of English. In the other version of this hadith (linked above), the word “onager” is used in translation – more appropriate in my opinion. I left the word be in case I’m wrong.

Secondly, this hadith is included in this chapter because it mentions the name of Abu Qatada’s (radiallaahu `anhu) horse: Al-Jaradah. It means “locust” in Arabic. Not sure why he named his horse “locust”. Something to do with his color or nature, I presume? :D

Today’s Ahadith:

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 107 :
Narrated by Sahl (radiallaahu `anhu)
In our garden there was a horse belonging to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) called Al-Luhaif or Al-Lukhaif.

Not sure what “Al-Luhaif” or “Al-Lukhaif” means, but I love the sound of it! That horse must have had a personality.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 108 :
Narrated by Mu’adh (radiallaahu `anhu)
I was a companion rider of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) on a donkey called ‘Ufair. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) asked, “O Mu’adh! Do you know what Allah’s right on His slaves is, and what the right of His slaves on Him is?” I replied, “Allah and His Apostle know better.” He said, “Allah’s right on His slaves is that they should worship Him (Alone) and should not worship any besides Him. And slave’s right on Allah is that He should not punish him who worships none besides Him.” I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Should I not inform the people of this good news?” He said, “Do not inform them of it, lest they should depend on it (absolutely).”

‘Ufair.. hmm. I think it’s connected to the word “ifreet” (عِفْرِيتٌ) used in the Quran meaning “a strong one” [27:39]. They seem to have the same root word “ع ف ر”, and “‘Ufair” is a more endearing or a smaller version of the original due to its formation, like “Husayn” for “Hasan”, and “Umayr” for “Umar”. Grammar 101! You can totally skip this part. I just like doing the analysis for myself. :P

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 109 :
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu)
Once there was a feeling of fright in Medina, so the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) borrowed a horse belonging to us called Mandub (and he rode away on it). (When the Prophet returned) he said, “I have not seen anything of fright and I found it (i.e. this horse) very fast.”

“Mandub” means “envoy/deputy/representative” in Arabic. Interesting name for a horse, eh?

So what I’m taking from this is, one, you can name animals; and two, give them good meaningful names while you’re at it.

Got a pet with an interesting name? Do share!

The Good in Horses (Ahadith 2497 – 2500)

Bismillah.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 102 :
Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Good will remain (as a permanent quality) in the foreheads of horses till the Day of Resurrection.”

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 103 :
Narrated by Ursa bin Alga (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Good will remain (as a permanent quality) in the foreheads of horses till the Day of Resurrection.”
And narrated Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu): Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “There is a blessing in the fore-heads of horses.”

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 104 :
Narrated by ‘Urwa Al-Bariqi (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Good will remain (as a permanent quality) in the foreheads of horses (for Jihad) till the Day of Resurrection, for they bring about either a reward (in the Hereafter) or booty (in this world).”

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 105 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “If somebody keeps a horse in Allah’s Cause motivated by his faith in Allah and his belief in His Promise, then he will be rewarded on the Day of Resurrection for what the horse has eaten or drunk and for its dung and urine.”

These ahadith are pretty self-explanatory. Horses bring good in this dunya and the aakhirah, if kept for the sake of Allah, in terms of booty and rewards respectively.

Among other things, horses are extremely beautiful. I, for one, am quite obsessed these days. [Somebody get me a horse!]
Allah has made horses beautiful for us, as He mentions in the Quran:

And at another place:

وَالْخَيْلَ وَالْبِغَالَ وَالْحَمِيرَ لِتَرْكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةً ۚ وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

“And [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know.” [16:8]

We come to know from history (in the Quran) that Prophet Sulayman, the son of Dawud, also had a special place in his heart for horses. Allah mentions it:

وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُودَ سُلَيْمَانَ ۚ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ
إِذْ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْعَشِيِّ الصَّافِنَاتُ الْجِيَادُ
فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَحْبَبْتُ حُبَّ الْخَيْرِ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّي حَتَّىٰ تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ
رُدُّوهَا عَلَيَّ ۖ فَطَفِقَ مَسْحًا بِالسُّوقِ وَالْأَعْنَاقِ

And to David We gave Solomon. An excellent servant, indeed he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah]. [Mention] when there were exhibited before him in the afternoon the poised [standing] racehorses. And he said, “Indeed, I gave preference to the love of good [things] over the remembrance of my Lord until the sun disappeared into the curtain [of darkness].”[He said], “Return them to me,” and set about striking [their] legs and necks.” [38: 30-33]

Ibn Kathir comments:

Allah tells us that he gave Sulayman to Dawud as a Prophet, as He says elsewhere:

﴿وَوَرِثَ سُلَيْمَـنُ دَاوُودَ﴾

(And Sulayman inherited Dawud) (27:1). meaning, he inherited prophethood from him. Dawud had other sons besides Sulayman, for he had one hundred free wives.

﴿نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ﴾

(How excellent a servant! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Us)!) This is praise for Sulayman, because he was very much obedient, worshipping Allah much and always turning to Allah in repentance.

﴿إِذْ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْعَشِىِّ الصَّـفِنَـتُ الْجِيَادُ ﴾

(When there were displayed before him, in the afternoon, well trained horses of the highest breed.) means, these well trained horses were shown to Sulayman, peace be upon him, in his capacity as king and ruler. Mujahid said, “They were the kind of horses which stand on three legs and raise the fourth, and they were swift horses.” This was also the view of several others among the Salaf. Abu Dawud recorded that `A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “The Messenger of Allah came back from the campaign of Tabuk or Khaybar, and there was a curtain covering her room. The wind came and lifted the curtain, revealing some toys belonging to `A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her. The Prophet said:

«مَا هَذَا يَا عَائِشَةُ؟»

(What is this, O `A’ishah) She, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “My toys.” Among them he saw a horse with two wings made of cloth. He said:

«مَا هَذَا الَّذِي أَرَى وَسَطَهُنَّ؟»

(What is this that I see in the midst of them) She, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “A horse.” The Messenger of Allah said,

«مَا هَذَا الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ؟»

(And what is this on it) She, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “Wings.” The Messenger of Allah said,

«فَرَسٌ لَهُ جَنَاحَانِ؟»

(A horse with two wings) She, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “Did you not hear that Sulayman, peace be upon him, had a horse that had wings” She, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “The Messenger of Allah smiled so broadly that I could see his molars.”

﴿فَقَالَ إِنِّى أَحْبَبْتُ حُبَّ الْخَيْرِ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِى حَتَّى تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ ﴾

(He said: “I did love the good (i.e., horses) instead of remembering my Lord” till the time was over, and (the sun) had hidden in the veil (of night)) More than one of the Salaf and scholars of Tafsir mentioned that he was so busy looking at the horses that he missed the time of `Asr prayer. He did not miss it deliberately, but because of forgetfulness, as happened to the Prophet on the day of Khandaq, when he was too busy to pray `Asr and he prayed it after the sun had set. This was recorded in the Two Sahihs with more than one chain of narration, including the report from Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, who said, “On the day of Khandaq, `Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, came after the sun had set and started cursing the disbelievers of the Quraysh. He said, `O Messenger of Allah, I could not pray `Asr until the sun had almost set.’ The Messenger of Allah said,

«وَاللهِ مَا صَلَّيْتُهَا»

(By Allah, I did not pray it either.)” He (Jabir) said, “So we got up and went to Buthan. Allah’s Prophet performed ablution for the prayer and we too performed ablution. He prayed `Asr after the sun had set, then he prayed Maghrib after that.”

﴿رُدُّوهَا عَلَىَّ فَطَفِقَ مَسْحاً بِالسُّوقِ وَالاٌّعْنَاقِ ﴾

(Then he said: “Bring them (horses) back to me.” Then he began to pass his hand over their legs and their necks.) Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, “He said, `No, by Allah, you will not keep me from worshipping my Lord again,’ then he ordered that they should be slaughtered.” This was also the view of Qatadah. As-Suddi said, “Their necks and hamstrings were struck with swords.” `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “He began patting the horses’ heads and legs out of love for them.” This is the view that was favored by Ibn Jarir. He said, “Because he would not punish an animal by cutting its hamstrings or destroy his own wealth for no other reason than that he had been distracted from his prayer by looking at it, and it was not the animals’ fault. ” This view which Ibn Jarir thought more correct is subject to further review, because such action may have been permissible according to their law, especially since he got angry for the sake of Allah for being distracted by these horses until the time for prayer had lapsed. Then, since he dispensed with them for the sake of Allah, Allah compensated him with something better, the wind which blew gently by his order wherever he willed. Its morning lasted a month’s (journey), and its afternoon lasted a month’s (journey). This was faster and better than horses.

Adhaan and Iqaamah for the One Praying Alone (Hadith No. 2496)

Bismillah.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 101 :
Narrated by Malik bin Al-Huwairith (radiallaahu `anhu)
On my departure from the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) he said to me and to a friend of mine, “You two, pronounce the Adhan and the Iqama for the prayer and let the elder of you lead the prayer.”

We’ve established previously that the minimum number of people required for a congregational prayer is two. This hadith further proves the importance of the adhaan and iqaamah regardless of the number of people in congregation and the place. Adhaan and iqaamah are NOT limited to the mosque, they should be established wherever the congregation is being held – even while traveling.

While looking up the importance of adhaan and iqaamah, I came across this absolutely beautiful hadeeth of ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir, who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

‘Your Lord likes it when a shepherd at the top of a mountain pass calls the Adhaan for prayer and then prays. Then Allaah says, “Look at this slave of mine, saying the Adhaan and the Iqaamah for prayer and fearing Me. I ask you to bear witness that I have forgiven My slave and will admit him to Paradise.”’” (Narrated by al-Nisaa’i)

This is just too good to ignore. Such beautiful rewards for an easy act. It also proves the importance of adhaan and iqaamah for a person who’s praying alone (men only). Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) said in reply to a related question:

The Sunnah is to give the adhaan and iqaamah. As to whether it is obligatory, there is a difference of opinion among the scholars. It is better and more on the safe side for you to give the adhaan then the iqaamah, because of the general meaning of the evidence. But you should pray in congregation whenever possible. If there is a congregation or you can hear the call to prayer from a mosque near you, then it is obligatory for you to respond to the muezzin and attend the prayer in congregation. If you cannot hear the call and there is no mosque near you, the Sunnah is for you to give the adhaan yourself, then the iqaamah. End quote.

Al-Shaafa’i (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“If a man neglects to say the Adhaan and Iqaamah when he is praying alone or in congregation, I regard that as makrooh, but he does not have to repeat the prayers he did without the Adhaan or Iqaamah.”

Source: IslamQA