{jb_quote}Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said, Make your rows straight for I can see you behind my back [Muslim].{/jb_quote}
FAQ on making Rows in Salah
(Checked & Approved by) Qari Mohammad Shoyaib
Question: How should the rows be organised in Prayer (Salah)?
Everyone should stand shoulder to shoulder and make no gapes in between, the rows should be straight.
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ، أَنّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : " أَقِيمُوا الصُّفُوفَ ، فَإِنَّمَا تَصُفُّونَ بِصُفُوفِ الْمَلَائِكَةِ ، وَحَاذُوا بَيْنَ الْمَنَاكِبِ ، وَسُدُّوا الْخَلَلَ ، وَلِينُوا فِي أَيْدِي إِخْوَانِكُمْ ، وَلَا تَذَرُوا فُرُجَاتٍ لِلشَّيْطَانِ ، وَمَنْ وَصَلَ صَفًّا ، وَصَلَهُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى ، وَمَنْ قَطَعَ صَفًّا ، قَطَعَهُ اللَّهُ تبَارك وَتَعالَى "
{jb_bluebox}Sayyidina ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: “Make your rows straight, stand shoulder to shoulder and close the gaps, and do not resist your brothers’ hands. Do not leave any gaps for the Shaytaan. Whoever complete a row, Allaah will reward him, and whoever breaks a row, Allah will forsake him [Ahmed]{/jb_bluebox}
Question: Do you not mean that feet also need to be Joined?
No!
{jb_bluebox}Joining the feet, heels or ankles while making rows is an exaggeration and not Sunnah.{/jb_bluebox}
Question: Why is it important to make the rows straight?
There are severe warnings against praying in rows which are not straight. The earlier Hadeeth illustrated the point that by issuing a warning that Allah Ta’ala will forsake us. Moreover, today Hearts of the believers are divided. Our beloved Nabi () stated that crooked rows will cause hearts to be divided.
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى ، أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو خَيْثَمَةَ ، عَنْ سِمَاكِ بْنِ حَرْبٍ ، قَالَ : سَمِعْتُ النُّعْمَانَ بْنَ بَشِيرٍ ، يَقُولُ : " كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، يُسَوِّي صُفُوفَنَا ، حَتَّى كَأَنَّمَا يُسَوِّي بِهَا الْقِدَاحَ ، حَتَّى رَأَى أَنَّا قَدْ عَقَلْنَا عَنْهُ ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَ يَوْمًا ، فَقَامَ حَتَّى كَادَ يُكَبِّرُ ، فَرَأَى رَجُلًا بَادِيًا صَدْرُهُ مِنَ الصَّفِّ ، فَقَالَ عِبَادَ اللَّهِ ، لَتُسَوُّنَّ صُفُوفَكُمْ ، أَوْ لَيُخَالِفَنَّ اللَّهُ بَيْنَ وُجُوهِكُمْ "
{jb_bluebox} Sayyiduna al-Nu’maan ibn Basheer (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) used to straighten our rows, as if he was straightening the shaft of an arrow, until he saw that we had learned it. Then he came out one day and was about to say the takbeer, when he noticed a man whose chest was sticking out from the row. He said: “Slaves of Allah! Make your rows straight or Allah will cause discord among you.” [Muslim]{/jb_bluebox}
Question: Should the Imam emphasize the need to straighten the rows?
Yes, as per the noble Sunnah of the Imam should exhort the congregation to make the rows straight and ensure that the rows are straight. The Imam and (Muadhin) are liable and responsible.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، قَالَ : " الإِمَامُ ضَامِنٌ , وَالْمُؤَذِّنُ مُؤْتَمَنٌ , اللَّهُمَّ أَرْشِدِ الأَئِمَّةَ , وَاغْفِرْ لِلْمُؤَذِّنِينَ
{jb_bluebox}Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (RA) who said: The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: “Put the imam in the middle and fill the gaps. [Abu Dawud]{/jb_bluebox}
Question: How should the Rows be formed?
{jb_bluedisc}1{/jb_bluedisc} Imam should stand in the Middle.
{jb_bluedisc}2{/jb_bluedisc} The next row should be formed with the person standing directly behind the Imam and people standing to the right and left.
{jb_bluedisc}3{/jb_bluedisc} The next row should follow the same pattern, starting from the middle and then people standing to the right and left.
{jb_bluedisc}4{/jb_bluedisc}Children should make their rows behind the adults.
{jb_bluedisc}5{/jb_bluedisc} Women should make their rows behind the children.
حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : " وَسِّطُوا الْإِمَامَ وَسُدُّوا الْخَلَلَ
{jb_bluebox}Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (RA) who said: The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: “The imam is liable and the muezzin is entrusted. O Allah, guide the imams and forgive the muezzins [Abu Dawud]{/jb_bluebox}
حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي مَحْمُودُ بْنُ الرَّبِيعِ الأَنْصَارِيُّ، أَنَّ عِتْبَانَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ ـ وَكَانَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِمَّنْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ ـ أَنَّهُ أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أَنْكَرْتُ بَصَرِي وَأَنَا أُصَلِّي لِقَوْمِي، فَإِذَا كَانَتِ الأَمْطَارُ سَالَ الْوَادِي الَّذِي بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُمْ، لَمْ أَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ آتِيَ مَسْجِدَهُمْ فَأُصَلِّيَ لَهُمْ، فَوَدِدْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنَّكَ تَأْتِي فَتُصَلِّي فِي بَيْتِي، فَأَتَّخِذُهُ مُصَلًّى. فَقَالَ " سَأَفْعَلُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ". قَالَ عِتْبَانُ فَغَدَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ حِينَ ارْتَفَعَ النَّهَارُ، فَاسْتَأْذَنَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَذِنْتُ لَهُ فَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ حَتَّى دَخَلَ الْبَيْتَ، ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي " أَيْنَ تُحِبُّ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ مِنْ بَيْتِكَ ". فَأَشَرْتُ إِلَى نَاحِيَةٍ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ فَقَامَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَكَبَّرَ، فَصَفَفْنَا، فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ وَحَبَسْنَاهُ عَلَى خَزِيرٍ صَنَعْنَاهُ، فَثَابَ فِي الْبَيْتِ رِجَالٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الدَّارِ ذَوُو عَدَدٍ فَاجْتَمَعُوا، فَقَالَ قَائِلٌ مِنْهُمْ أَيْنَ مَالِكُ بْنُ الدُّخْشُنِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ ذَلِكَ مُنَافِقٌ لاَ يُحِبُّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ. قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ تَقُلْ، أَلاَ تَرَاهُ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ. يُرِيدُ بِذَلِكَ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ ". قَالَ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ. قَالَ قُلْنَا فَإِنَّا نَرَى وَجْهَهُ وَنَصِيحَتَهُ إِلَى الْمُنَافِقِينَ. فَقَالَ " فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ عَلَى النَّارِ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ. يَبْتَغِي بِذَلِكَ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ ". قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ ثُمَّ سَأَلْتُ الْحُصَيْنَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ الأَنْصَارِيَّ أَحَدَ بَنِي سَالِمٍ وَكَانَ مِنْ سَرَاتِهِمْ عَنْ حَدِيثِ مَحْمُودٍ فَصَدَّقَهُ.
{jb_bluebox}Sayyiduna'Urban bin Malik (RA) narrated: who attended the Badr battle and was from the Ansar, that he came to the Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have lost my eyesight and I lead my people in the prayer (as an Imam). When it rains, the valley which is between me and my people, flows with water, and then I cannot go to their mosque to lead them in the prayer. O Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam)! I wish that you could come and pray in my house so that I may take it as a praying place. The Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said, "Allah willing, I will do that." The next morning, soon after the sun had risen, Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) came with Abu Bakr. The Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) asked for the permission to enter and I admitted him. The Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) had not sat till he had entered the house and said to me, "Where do you like me to pray in your house?" I pointed at a place in my house whereupon he stood and said, "Allahu Akbar." We lined behind him and he prayed two rak`at and finished it with Taslim. We then requested him to stay for a special meal of Khazira which we had prepared. A large number of men from the adjoining area gathered in the house. One of them said, "Where is Malik bin Ad-Dukhshun?" Another man said, "He is a hypocrite and does not love Allah and His Apostle." The Prophet said, "Do not say so. Do you not think that he has said: "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah," seeking Allah's pleasure? The man said, "Allah and His Apostle know better, but we have always seen him mixing with hypocrites and giving them advice." The Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said, "Allah has forbidden the (Hell) Fire for those who testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, seeking Allah's pleasure. " [Bukhari]{/jb_bluebox}
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ ، قَالَ : أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ ، عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ ، " أَنَّ جَدَّتَهُ مُلَيْكَةَ دَعَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لِطَعَامٍ صَنَعَتْهُ لَهُ ، فَأَكَلَ مِنْهُ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : قُومُوا فَلِأُصَلِّ لَكُمْ ، قَالَ أَنَسٌ : فَقُمْتُ إِلَى حَصِيرٍ لَنَا قَدِ اسْوَدَّ مِنْ طُولِ مَا لُبِسَ فَنَضَحْتُهُ بِمَاءٍ ، فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، وَصَفَفْتُ وَالْيَتِيمَ وَرَاءَهُ وَالْعَجُوزُ مِنْ وَرَائِنَا ، فَصَلَّى لَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ
{jb_bluebox} Sayyiduna 'Is-haq (RA) narrated: Anas bin Malik (RA) said, "My grandmother Mulaika invited (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) for a meal which she herself had prepared. He ate from it and said, 'Get up! I will lead you in the prayer.' " Anas added, "I took my Hasir, washed it with water as it had become dark because of long use and Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) stood on it. The orphan (Damira or Ruh) and I aligned behind him and the old lady (Mulaika) stood behind us. Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) led us in the prayer and offered two rak`at and then left." [Bukhari]{/jb_bluebox}
Question: But can a person start the rows from the right instead of the Middle?
{jb_bluedisc}1{/jb_bluedisc} If there is only one person they should stand to the right of the Imam.
{jb_bluedisc}2{/jb_bluedisc} If any other person Joins, they should move back (directly) behind the Imam and rows should be made to the right and left.
حَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ مَعْرُوفٍ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبَّادٍ، - وَتَقَارَبَا فِي لَفْظِ الْحَدِيثِ - وَالسِّيَاقُ لِهَارُونَ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا حَاتِمُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنْ يَعْقُوبَ بْنِ مُجَاهِدٍ أَبِي حَزْرَةَ عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الْوَلِيدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ قَالَ خَرَجْتُ أَنَا وَأَبِي نَطْلُبُ الْعِلْمَ فِي هَذَا الْحَىِّ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَهْلِكُوا فَكَانَ أَوَّلُ مَنْ لَقِينَا أَبَا الْيَسَرِ صَاحِبَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَمَعَهُ غُلاَمٌ لَهُ مَعَهُ ضِمَامَةٌ مِنْ صُحُفٍ وَعَلَى أَبِي الْيَسَرِ بُرْدَةٌ وَمَعَافِرِيٌّ وَعَلَى غُلاَمِهِ بُرْدَةٌ وَمَعَافِرِيٌّ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبِي يَا عَمِّ إِنِّي أَرَى فِي وَجْهِكَ سَفْعَةً مِنْ غَضَبٍ . قَالَ أَجَلْ كَانَ لِي عَلَى فُلاَنِ بْنِ فُلاَنٍ الْحَرَامِيِّ مَالٌ فَأَتَيْتُ أَهْلَهُ فَسَلَّمْتُ فَقُلْتُ ثَمَّ هُوَ قَالُوا لاَ . فَخَرَجَ عَلَىَّ ابْنٌ لَهُ جَفْرٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَيْنَ أَبُوكَ قَالَ سَمِعَ صَوْتَكَ فَدَخَلَ أَرِيكَةَ أُمِّي . فَقُلْتُ اخْرُجْ إِلَىَّ فَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَيْنَ أَنْتَ . فَخَرَجَ فَقُلْتُ مَا حَمَلَكَ عَلَى أَنِ اخْتَبَأْتَ مِنِّي قَالَ أَنَا وَاللَّهِ أُحَدِّثُكَ ثُمَّ لاَ أَكْذِبُكَ خَشِيتُ وَاللَّهِ أَنْ أُحَدِّثَكَ فَأَكْذِبَكَ وَأَنْ أَعِدَكَ فَأُخْلِفَكَ وَكُنْتَ صَاحِبَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَكُنْتُ وَاللَّهِ مُعْسِرًا . قَالَ قُلْتُ آللَّهِ . قَالَ اللَّهِ . قُلْتُ آللَّهِ . قَالَ اللَّهِ . قُلْتُ آللَّهِ . قَالَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ فَأَتَى بِصَحِيفَتِهِ فَمَحَاهَا بِيَدِهِ فَقَالَ إِنْ وَجَدْتَ قَضَاءً فَاقْضِنِي وَإِلاَّ أَنْتَ فِي حِلٍّ فَأَشْهَدُ بَصَرُ عَيْنَىَّ هَاتَيْنِ - وَوَضَعَ إِصْبَعَيْهِ عَلَى عَيْنَيْهِ - وَسَمْعُ أُذُنَىَّ هَاتَيْنِ وَوَعَاهُ قَلْبِي هَذَا - وَأَشَارَ إِلَى مَنَاطِ قَلْبِهِ - رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ يَقُولُ " مَنْ أَنْظَرَ مُعْسِرًا أَوْ وَضَعَ عَنْهُ أَظَلَّهُ اللَّهُ فِي ظِلِّهِ " . قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَنَا يَا عَمِّ لَوْ أَنَّكَ أَخَذْتَ بُرْدَةَ غُلاَمِكَ وَأَعْطَيْتَهُ مَعَافِرِيَّكَ وَأَخَذْتَ مَعَافِرِيَّهُ وَأَعْطَيْتَهُ بُرْدَتَكَ فَكَانَتْ عَلَيْكَ حُلَّةٌ وَعَلَيْهِ حُلَّةٌ . فَمَسَحَ رَأْسِي وَقَالَ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ فِيهِ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي بَصَرُ عَيْنَىَّ هَاتَيْنِ وَسَمْعُ أُذُنَىَّ هَاتَيْنِ وَوَعَاهُ قَلْبِي هَذَا - وَأَشَارَ إِلَى مَنَاطِ قَلْبِهِ - رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ يَقُولُ " أَطْعِمُوهُمْ مِمَّا تَأْكُلُونَ وَأَلْبِسُوهُمْ مِمَّا تَلْبَسُونَ " . وَكَانَ أَنْ أَعْطَيْتُهُ مِنْ مَتَاعِ الدُّنْيَا أَهْوَنَ عَلَىَّ مِنْ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ مِنْ حَسَنَاتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ . ثُمَّ مَضَيْنَا حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فِي مَسْجِدِهِ وَهُوَ يُصَلِّي فِي ثَوْبٍ وَاحِدٍ مُشْتَمِلاً بِهِ فَتَخَطَّيْتُ الْقَوْمَ حَتَّى جَلَسْتُ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْقِبْلَةِ فَقُلْتُ يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ أَتُصَلِّي فِي ثَوْبٍ وَاحِدٍ وَرِدَاؤُكَ إِلَى جَنْبِكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ بِيَدِهِ فِي صَدْرِي هَكَذَا وَفَرَّقَ بَيْنَ أَصَابِعِهِ وَقَوَّسَهَا أَرَدْتُ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ عَلَىَّ الأَحْمَقُ مِثْلُكَ فَيَرَانِي كَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ فَيَصْنَعُ مِثْلَهُ . أَتَانَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي مَسْجِدِنَا هَذَا وَفِي يَدِهِ عُرْجُونُ ابْنِ طَابٍ فَرَأَى فِي قِبْلَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ نُخَامَةً فَحَكَّهَا بِالْعُرْجُونِ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْنَا فَقَالَ " أَيُّكُمْ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يُعْرِضَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ " . قَالَ فَخَشَعْنَا ثُمَّ قَالَ " أَيُّكُمْ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يُعْرِضَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ " . قَالَ فَخَشَعْنَا ثُمَّ قَالَ " أَيُّكُمْ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يُعْرِضَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ " . قُلْنَا لاَ أَيُّنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا قَامَ يُصَلِّي فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى قِبَلَ وَجْهِهِ فَلاَ يَبْصُقَنَّ قِبَلَ وَجْهِهِ وَلاَ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَلْيَبْصُقْ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ تَحْتَ رِجْلِهِ الْيُسْرَى فَإِنْ عَجِلَتْ بِهِ بَادِرَةٌ فَلْيَقُلْ بِثَوْبِهِ هَكَذَا " . ثُمَّ طَوَى ثَوْبَهُ بَعْضَهُ عَلَى بَعْضٍ فَقَالَ " أَرُونِي عَبِيرًا " . فَقَامَ فَتًى مِنَ الْحَىِّ يَشْتَدُّ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ فَجَاءَ بِخَلُوقٍ فِي رَاحَتِهِ فَأَخَذَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَجَعَلَهُ عَلَى رَأْسِ الْعُرْجُونِ ثُمَّ لَطَخَ بِهِ عَلَى أَثَرِ النُّخَامَةِ . فَقَالَ جَابِرٌ فَمِنْ هُنَاكَ جَعَلْتُمُ الْخَلُوقَ فِي مَسَاجِدِكُمْ . سِرْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي غَزْوَةِ بَطْنِ بُوَاطٍ وَهُوَ يَطْلُبُ الْمَجْدِيَّ بْنَ عَمْرٍو الْجُهَنِيَّ وَكَانَ النَّاضِحُ يَعْتَقِبُهُ مِنَّا الْخَمْسَةُ وَالسِّتَّةُ وَالسَّبْعَةُ فَدَارَتْ عُقْبَةُ رَجُلٍ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ عَلَى نَاضِحٍ لَهُ فَأَنَاخَهُ فَرَكِبَهُ ثُمَّ بَعَثَهُ فَتَلَدَّنَ عَلَيْهِ بَعْضَ التَّلَدُّنِ فَقَالَ لَهُ شَأْ لَعَنَكَ اللَّهُ . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ هَذَا اللاَّعِنُ بَعِيرَهُ " . قَالَ أَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " انْزِلْ عَنْهُ فَلاَ تَصْحَبْنَا بِمَلْعُونٍ لاَ تَدْعُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَلاَ تَدْعُوا عَلَى أَوْلاَدِكُمْ وَلاَ تَدْعُوا عَلَى أَمْوَالِكُمْ لاَ تُوَافِقُوا مِنَ اللَّهِ سَاعَةً يُسْأَلُ فِيهَا عَطَاءٌ فَيَسْتَجِيبُ لَكُمْ " . سِرْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَتْ عُشَيْشِيَةٌ وَدَنَوْنَا مَاءً مِنْ مِيَاهِ الْعَرَبِ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ رَجُلٌ يَتَقَدَّمُنَا فَيَمْدُرُ الْحَوْضَ فَيَشْرَبُ وَيَسْقِينَا " . قَالَ جَابِرٌ فَقُمْتُ فَقُلْتُ هَذَا رَجُلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَىُّ رَجُلٍ مَعَ جَابِرٍ " . فَقَامَ جَبَّارُ بْنُ صَخْرٍ فَانْطَلَقْنَا إِلَى الْبِئْرِ فَنَزَعْنَا فِي الْحَوْضِ سَجْلاً أَوْ سَجْلَيْنِ ثُمَّ مَدَرْنَاهُ ثُمَّ نَزَعْنَا فِيهِ حَتَّى أَفْهَقْنَاهُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلَ طَالِعٍ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " أَتَأْذَنَانِ " . قُلْنَا نَعَمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . فَأَشْرَعَ نَاقَتَهُ فَشَرِبَتْ شَنَقَ لَهَا فَشَجَتْ فَبَالَتْ ثُمَّ عَدَلَ بِهَا فَأَنَاخَهَا ثُمَّ جَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى الْحَوْضِ فَتَوَضَّأَ مِنْهُ ثُمَّ قُمْتُ فَتَوَضَّأْتُ مِنْ مُتَوَضَّإِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَهَبَ جَبَّارُ بْنُ صَخْرٍ يَقْضِي حَاجَتَهُ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِيُصَلِّيَ وَكَانَتْ عَلَىَّ بُرْدَةٌ ذَهَبْتُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَ بَيْنَ طَرَفَيْهَا فَلَمْ تَبْلُغْ لِي وَكَانَتْ لَهَا ذَبَاذِبُ فَنَكَّسْتُهَا ثُمَّ خَالَفْتُ بَيْنَ طَرَفَيْهَا ثُمَّ تَوَاقَصْتُ عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ جِئْتُ حَتَّى قُمْتُ عَنْ يَسَارِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَأَدَارَنِي حَتَّى أَقَامَنِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ ثُمَّ جَاءَ جَبَّارُ بْنُ صَخْرٍ فَتَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَقَامَ عَنْ يَسَارِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَخَذَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِيَدَيْنَا جَمِيعًا فَدَفَعَنَا حَتَّى أَقَامَنَا خَلْفَهُ فَجَعَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَرْمُقُنِي وَأَنَا لاَ أَشْعُرُ ثُمَّ فَطِنْتُ بِهِ فَقَالَ هَكَذَا بِيَدِهِ يَعْنِي شُدَّ وَسَطَكَ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " يَا جَابِرُ " . قُلْتُ لَبَّيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " إِذَا كَانَ وَاسِعًا فَخَالِفْ بَيْنَ طَرَفَيْهِ وَإِذَا كَانَ ضَيِّقًا فَاشْدُدْهُ عَلَى حِقْوِكَ " . سِرْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَكَانَ قُوتُ كُلِّ رَجُلٍ مِنَّا فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ تَمْرَةً فَكَانَ يَمَصُّهَا ثُمَّ يَصُرُّهَا فِي ثَوْبِهِ وَكُنَّا نَخْتَبِطُ بِقِسِيِّنَا وَنَأْكُلُ حَتَّى قَرِحَتْ أَشْدَاقُنَا فَأُقْسِمُ أُخْطِئَهَا رَجُلٌ مِنَّا يَوْمًا فَانْطَلَقْنَا بِهِ نَنْعَشُهُ فَشَهِدْنَا أَنَّهُ لَمْ يُعْطَهَا فَأُعْطِيَهَا فَقَامَ فَأَخَذَهَا . سِرْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى نَزَلْنَا وَادِيًا أَفْيَحَ فَذَهَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْضِي حَاجَتَهُ فَاتَّبَعْتُهُ بِإِدَاوَةٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ فَنَظَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمْ يَرَ شَيْئًا يَسْتَتِرُ بِهِ فَإِذَا شَجَرَتَانِ بِشَاطِئِ الْوَادِي فَانْطَلَقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى إِحْدَاهُمَا فَأَخَذَ بِغُصْنٍ مِنْ أَغْصَانِهَا فَقَالَ " انْقَادِي عَلَىَّ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ " . فَانْقَادَتْ مَعَهُ كَالْبَعِيرِ الْمَخْشُوشِ الَّذِي يُصَانِعُ قَائِدَهُ حَتَّى أَتَى الشَّجَرَةَ الأُخْرَى فَأَخَذَ بِغُصْنٍ مِنْ أَغْصَانِهَا فَقَالَ " انْقَادِي عَلَىَّ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ " . فَانْقَادَتْ مَعَهُ كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ بِالْمَنْصَفِ مِمَّا بَيْنَهُمَا لأَمَ بَيْنَهُمَا - يَعْنِي جَمَعَهُمَا - فَقَالَ " الْتَئِمَا عَلَىَّ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ " . فَالْتَأَمَتَا قَالَ جَابِرٌ فَخَرَجْتُ أُحْضِرُ مَخَافَةَ أَنْ يُحِسَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِقُرْبِي فَيَبْتَعِدَ - وَقَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبَّادٍ فَيَتَبَعَّدَ - فَجَلَسْتُ أُحَدِّثُ نَفْسِي فَحَانَتْ مِنِّي لَفْتَةٌ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مُقْبِلاً وَإِذَا الشَّجَرَتَانِ قَدِ افْتَرَقَتَا فَقَامَتْ كُلُّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُمَا عَلَى سَاقٍ فَرَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَقَفَ وَقْفَةً فَقَالَ بِرَأْسِهِ هَكَذَا - وَأَشَارَ أَبُو إِسْمَاعِيلَ بِرَأْسِهِ يَمِينًا وَشِمَالاً - ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ فَلَمَّا انْتَهَى إِلَىَّ قَالَ " يَا جَابِرُ هَلْ رَأَيْتَ مَقَامِي " . قُلْتُ نَعَمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " فَانْطَلِقْ إِلَى الشَّجَرَتَيْنِ فَاقْطَعْ مِنْ كُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُمَا غُصْنًا فَأَقْبِلْ بِهِمَا حَتَّى إِذَا قُمْتَ مَقَامِي فَأَرْسِلْ غُصْنًا عَنْ يَمِينِكَ وَغُصْنًا عَنْ يَسَارِكَ " . قَالَ جَابِرٌ فَقُمْتُ فَأَخَذْتُ حَجَرًا فَكَسَرْتُهُ وَحَسَرْتُهُ فَانْذَلَقَ لِي فَأَتَيْتُ الشَّجَرَتَيْنِ فَقَطَعْتُ مِنْ كُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُمَا غُصْنًا ثُمَّ أَقْبَلْتُ أَجُرُّهُمَا حَتَّى قُمْتُ مَقَامَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَرْسَلْتُ غُصْنًا عَنْ يَمِينِي وَغُصْنًا عَنْ يَسَارِي ثُمَّ لَحِقْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ قَدْ فَعَلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَعَمَّ ذَاكَ قَالَ " إِنِّي مَرَرْتُ بِقَبْرَيْنِ يُعَذَّبَانِ فَأَحْبَبْتُ بِشَفَاعَتِي أَنْ يُرَفَّهَ عَنْهُمَا مَا دَامَ الْغُصْنَانِ رَطْبَيْنِ " . قَالَ فَأَتَيْنَا الْعَسْكَرَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَا جَابِرُ نَادِ بِوَضُوءٍ " . فَقُلْتُ أَلاَ وَضُوءَ أَلاَ وَضُوءَ أَلاَ وَضُوءَ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا وَجَدْتُ فِي الرَّكْبِ مِنْ قَطْرَةٍ وَكَانَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ يُبَرِّدُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمَاءَ فِي أَشْجَابٍ لَهُ عَلَى حِمَارَةٍ مِنْ جَرِيدٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِيَ " انْطَلِقْ إِلَى فُلاَنِ بْنِ فُلاَنٍ الأَنْصَارِيِّ فَانْظُرْ هَلْ فِي أَشْجَابِهِ مِنْ شَىْءٍ " . قَالَ فَانْطَلَقْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَنَظَرْتُ فِيهَا فَلَمْ أَجِدْ فِيهَا إِلاَّ قَطْرَةً فِي عَزْلاَءِ شَجْبٍ مِنْهَا لَوْ أَنِّي أُفْرِغُهُ لَشَرِبَهُ يَابِسُهُ . فَأَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَمْ أَجِدْ فِيهَا إِلاَّ قَطْرَةً فِي عَزْلاَءِ شَجْبٍ مِنْهَا لَوْ أَنِّي أُفْرِغُهُ لَشَرِبَهُ يَابِسُهُ قَالَ " اذْهَبْ فَأْتِنِي بِهِ " . فَأَتَيْتُهُ بِهِ فَأَخَذَهُ بِيَدِهِ فَجَعَلَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِشَىْءٍ لاَ أَدْرِي مَا هُوَ وَيَغْمِزُهُ بِيَدَيْهِ ثُمَّ أَعْطَانِيهِ فَقَالَ " يَا جَابِرُ نَادِ بِجَفْنَةٍ " . فَقُلْتُ يَا جَفْنَةَ الرَّكْبِ . فَأُتِيتُ بِهَا تُحْمَلُ فَوَضَعْتُهَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِيَدِهِ فِي الْجَفْنَةِ هَكَذَا فَبَسَطَهَا وَفَرَّقَ بَيْنَ أَصَابِعِهِ ثُمَّ وَضَعَهَا فِي قَعْرِ الْجَفْنَةِ وَقَالَ " خُذْ يَا جَابِرُ فَصُبَّ عَلَىَّ وَقُلْ بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ " . فَصَبَبْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَقُلْتُ بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ . فَرَأَيْتُ الْمَاءَ يَتَفَوَّرُ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَصَابِعِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ فَارَتِ الْجَفْنَةُ وَدَارَتْ حَتَّى امْتَلأَتْ فَقَالَ " يَا جَابِرُ نَادِ مَنْ كَانَ لَهُ حَاجَةٌ بِمَاءٍ " . قَالَ فَأَتَى النَّاسُ فَاسْتَقَوْا حَتَّى رَوَوْا قَالَ فَقُلْتُ هَلْ بَقِيَ أَحَدٌ لَهُ حَاجَةٌ فَرَفَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَدَهُ مِنَ الْجَفْنَةِ وَهِيَ مَلأَى . وَشَكَا النَّاسُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْجُوعَ فَقَالَ " عَسَى اللَّهُ أَنْ يُطْعِمَكُمْ " . فَأَتَيْنَا سِيفَ الْبَحْرِ فَزَخَرَ الْبَحْرُ زَخْرَةً فَأَلْقَى دَابَّةً فَأَوْرَيْنَا عَلَى شِقِّهَا النَّارَ فَاطَّبَخْنَا وَاشْتَوَيْنَا وَأَكَلْنَا حَتَّى شَبِعْنَا . قَالَ جَابِرٌ فَدَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَفُلاَنٌ وَفُلاَنٌ حَتَّى عَدَّ خَمْسَةً فِي حِجَاجِ عَيْنِهَا مَا يَرَانَا أَحَدٌ حَتَّى خَرَجْنَا فَأَخَذْنَا ضِلَعًا مِنْ أَضْلاَعِهِ فَقَوَّسْنَاهُ ثُمَّ دَعَوْنَا بِأَعْظَمِ رَجُلٍ فِي الرَّكْبِ وَأَعْظَمِ جَمَلٍ فِي الرَّكْبِ وَأَعْظَمِ كِفْلٍ فِي الرَّكْبِ فَدَخَلَ تَحْتَهُ مَا يُطَأْطِئُ رَأْسَهُ .
{jb_bluebox}Sayyiduna 'Ubadah b. Walid b. Samit (RA) reported: I and my father set out in search of knowledge to a tribe of the Ansar before their death (i. e. before the Companions of the Prophet left the world) and I was the first to meet Abu Yasar, a Companion of Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and there was a young man with him who carried the record of letters with him and there was a mantle prepared by the tribe of Ma'afiri upon him. And his servant too had a Ma'afiri mantle over him. My father said to him: My uncle, I see the signs of anger or that of agony on your face. He said: Yes, such and such person, the son of so and so, of the tribe of Harami owed me a debt. I went to his family, extended salutations and said: Where is he? They said: He is not here. Then came out to me his son who was at the threshold of his youth. I said to him: Where is your father? He said: No sooner did he hear your sound than he hid himself behind my mother's bedstead. I said to him: Walk out to me, for I know where you are. He came out. I said to him: What prompted you to hide yourself from me? He said: By God, whatever I would say to you would not be a lie. By Allah, I fear that I should tell a lie to you and in case of making promise with you I should break it, as you are the Companion of Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam). The fact is that I was hard up in regard to money. I said: Do you adjure by Allah? He said: I adjure by Allah. I said: Do you adjure by Allah? He said: I adjure by Allah. I said: Do you adjure by Allah? He said: I adjure by Allah. Then he brought his promissory note and he wrote off (the debt) with his hand and said: Make payment when you find yourself solvent enough to pay me back; if you are not, then there is no liability upon you. These two eyes of mine saw, and he (Abu'I-Yasar) placed his fingers upon his eyes and these two ears of mine heard and my heart retained, and he pointed towards his heart that Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: He who gives time to one who is financially hard up (in the payment of debt) or writes off his debt, Allah will provide him His shadow. I said to him: My uncle, if you get the cloak of your servant and you give him your two clothes, or take his two clothes of Ma'afir and give him your cloak, then there would be one dress for you and one for him. He wiped my head and said: O Allah, bless the son of my brother. O, son of my brother, these two very eyes of mine saw and these two ears of mine listened to and this heart of mine retained this, and he pointed towards the heart that Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: Feed them (the servants) and clothe them (the servants) what you wear, and if I give him the goods of the world, it is easy for me than this that he should take my virtues on the Day of Resurrection. We went on till we came to Jabir b. Abdullah in the mosque and he was busy in observing prayer in one cloth which he had joined at its opposite ends. I made my way through the people till I sat between him and the Qibla and I said: May Allah have mercy upon you. Do you observe prayer with one cloth on your body whereas your mantle is lying at your side? He pointed me with his hand towards my breast just like this and he separated his fingers and bent them in the shape of a bow. And (he said): I thought that a fool like you should come to me so that he should see me as I do and he should then also do like it. Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) came to us in this very mosque and he had in his hand the twig of the palm-tree and he saw mucus towards the Qibla of the mosque and he erased it with the help of the twig. He then came to us and said: Who amongst you likes that Allah should turn His face away from him? We were afraid. He then again said: Who amongst you likes that Allah should turn His face away from him? We were afraid. He again said: Who amongst you likes that Allah should turn His face away from him? We said: Allah's Messenger, none of us likes it. And he said: If one amongst you stands for prayer, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, is before him he should not spit in front of him, or on his right side, but should spit on his left side beneath his left foot and if he is impelled to do so all of a sudden (in spite of himself) he should then spit in his cloth and fold it in some part of it. (and he further said: ) Bring some sweet-smelling thing. A young man who belonged to our tribe stood up, went and brought scent in his palm. Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) took that and applied it to the end of that twig and then touched the place where there had been mucus. Jabir said: This is why you should apply scent to your mosques. It is reported on the same authority: We set out along with Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) on an expedition of Batn Buwat. He (the Holy Prophet) was in search of al-Majdi b. 'Amr al-Juhani. (We had so meagre equipment) that five. six or seven of us had one camel to ride and so we mounted it turn by turn. Once there wan. the turn of an Ansari to ride upon the camel. He made it kneel down to ride over it (and after having. mounted it), he tried to raise it up but it hesitated. So he said. May there be curse of Allah upon you! Thereupon Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: Who is there to curse his camel? He said: Allah's Messenger, it' is I. Thereupon he said: Get down from the camel and let us not have in our company the cursed one. Don't curse your own selves, nor your children. nor your belongings. There is the possibility that your curse may synchronies with the time when Allah is about to confer upon you what you demand and thus your prayer may be readily responded. It is reported on the same authority: We set out on an expedition along with Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) until it was evening, and we had been near a. water reservoir of Arabia. Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: Who would be the person who would go ahead and set right the reservoir and drink water himself and serve us with it? Jabir said: I stood up and said: Allah's Messenger, it is I who am ready to do that. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: Who is the person to accompany Jabir? And then Jabbar b. Sakhr stood up. So we went to that well and poured in that tank a bucket or two of water and plastered it with clay and then began to fill it (with water) until it was filled to the brim. Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) was the first who appeared before us, and he said: Do you (both) permit me to drink water out of it? We said: Yea, Allah's Messenger. He led his camel to drink water and it drank. He then pulled its rein and it stretched its legs and began to urinate. He then took it aside and made it kneel down at another place and then came to the tank and performed ablution. I then got up and performed ablution like the ablution of Allah's Messenger(Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam), and Jabbar b. Sakhr went in order to relieve himself and Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) got up to observe prayer and there was a mantle over me. I tried to invert its ends but it was too short (to cover my body easily). It had its borders. I then inverted it (the mantle) and drew its opposite ends and then tied them at my neck. I then came and stood upon the left side of Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam). He caught hold of me and made me go round behind him, until he made me stand on his right side. Then Jabbar b. Sakhr came. He performed ablution and then came and stood on the left side of Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam). Then Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) caught hold of our hands together, pushed us back and made us stand behind him. Then Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) began to look upon me with darting looks, but I did not perceive that. After that I became aware of it and he pointed with the gesture of his hand that I should wrap my loin-cloth. When Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) had finished the prayer, he said: Jabir! I said: Allah's Messenger, at thy beck and call. He said: When the cloth around you is inadequate, then tie the opposite ends but when it is small, tie it over the lower body. Jabir reported: We set out on an expedition with Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and the only means of sustenance for every person amongst us was only one date for a day and we used to chew it. And we struck the leaves with the help of our bow and ate them until the sides of our mouths were injured. It so happened one day that a person was overlooked and not given a date. We carried that person and bore witness to the fact that he had not been given that date so he was offered that and he got up and received that. Jabir reported: We set out on an expedition along with Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) until we got down at a spacious valley and Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) went to relieve himself. I followed him with a bucket full of water and Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) looked about and he found no privacy but two trees at the end of the valley and Allah's Messenger (may. peace be upon him) went to one of them and took hold of one of its twigs and said: Be thou under my control by the permission of Allah, and so it came under his control like the camel who has its nosestring in the hand of its rider, and then he came to the second tree and took hold of a twig and said: Be thou under my control with the permission of Allah, and it came under his control, and when he came in the middle of the two trees he joined together the two twigs and said: join with the permission of Allah. Jabir said: I was afraid lest Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) should be aware of my nearness and go still farther. And Muhammad b. Abbad has used the word" faitab'd" and I began to talk to myself. And as I saw, I suddenly found Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) before me and the two trees were separated and each one of them was standing at its place. I saw Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) standing for a short time, nodding his head towards right and left. Isma'il pointed towards the right and left with the help of his head (in order to demonstrate how the Prophet had pointed). Then he (the Holy Prophet) came to me and said: Jabir did you see my place where I was standing? I said: Allah's Messenger, yes. He then said: Then you should go to those two trees and cut a twig from each of them and go to that place with them where I was standing and stand there where I was standing and place a twig on the right and a twig on the left. Jabir said: I set out and took hold of a stone and broke it and sharpened it and then I came to those trees and cut a twig from each one of them. I then came dragging them until I stood at the place where Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) had been standing and placed a twig on the right and a twig on the left. Then I met him and said: Allah's Messenger, I have done that, but (kindly) explain to me the reason for it. Thereupon he said: I passed by two graves the occupants of which had been undergoing torment. I liked to make intercession for them so that the might be relieved of this torment y as long as these twigs remain fresh. Jabir said: We came back to the (camp of the) army and Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: Jabir, call people for per- forming wudu. I cried: Come and perform wudu, come and perform wudu, come and perform wudu. I said: Allah's Messenger, there is not even a drop of water in the army camp, and there. was a person who used to cool the water for Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) in the old water-skin which kept hanging by the twig. He asked me to go to such and such Ansari and ask him to see if there was any water in that skin. I went to him and cast a glance in it but did not find anything but a drop in the mouth of that water-skin and if I were to draw that, the water-skin's,. dried part would suck it up. I came to Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and said: Allah's Messenger, I have not found anything in it but a drop of water in the mouth of the water-skin and now if I were to draw that, it would be absorbed. He said: Go and bring that to me. I brought that to him. He took hold of it -and began to utter something which I could not understand and then pressed it with his hand and gave that to me and said: Jabir, announce for the tub to be brought. So I announced that the tub of the army (be brought). It was brought accordingly and I placed it before him (the Holy Prophet). Thereupon Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) placed his hands in the tub like this: with his fingers stretched out, and then he placed his fingers at the bottom of the tub and said: Jabir, take it (that waters-skin) and pour water over me, by reciting Bismillah, and I poured water and I said: Bismillah, and found water sprouting out between the fingers of Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam). Then that tub gushed forth until it was filled up and the Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: Jabir, make an announcement to the effect: He who needs water should take that. Jabir said: The people came and got water until they were all satiated. I said: Is there anyone left who wants to get it? And Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) then lifted up his hand from that tub and it was still full. Then the people made a complaint to Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) about hunger and he said: May Allah provide you food! We came to the bank of the ocean and the ocean was tossing and it threw out a big animal and we lit fire and cooked it and took it until we had eaten to our heart's content. Jabir said: I and such and such five persons entered Its socket and nobody could see us until we had come out, and we took hold of one of its ribs and twisted it into a sort of arch, then we called the tallest of the persons of the army and the hugest of the camels of the army and it had the big saddle over it, and it could easily pass through it without the rider having need to bend down. [Muslim] {/jb_bluebox}
Question: Salafi Brother insisting on starting rows from the Right?
We have a Salafi Brother in our Masjid who insists that the narrations about starting the row from the middle are weak and insists on starting the rows from the Middle.
The Salafi Brother in your Masjid lacks knowledge on the matter. Shaykh Abdullah Ibn Jibreen (RA) [1933-2009) was asked about this matter and he clearly stated that this is a deficiency in prayer and rows should be started from the middle (behind the Imam).
سئل الشيخ ابن جبرين حفظه الله : بعض المصلين إذا اكتمل الصف الأول، بدؤوا الصف الثاني من طرفه الأيمن ، فما حكم صلاتهم؟ فأجاب : لا يجوز ذلك ، و في صلاتهم نقص ، و إن كانت مجزئة لوجود الإقتداءمنهم بالإمام ، و إنما السنة أن يصفوا في وسط الصف محاذين للإمام، كما أنّ الصف الأول يقومون خلف الإمام ثم يمتد الصف عن اليمين و الشمال حتى يكمل ، فهكذا الصف الثاني و ما بعده ، و قد روى أبو داود برقم 681 عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : " وسطوا الإمام و سدّوا الخلل " . و رواه البيهقي بلفظ " توسطوا الإمام " و فيه مقال
Question: If the women are praying in congreagtion how should their rows be formed?
Same way.
{jb_bluedisc}1{/jb_bluedisc} Start from the Middle and then women standing to the right and left.
{jb_bluedisc}2{/jb_bluedisc} The next row should follow the same pattern, starting from the middle and then people standing to the right and left.
{jb_bluedisc}3{/jb_bluedisc} Rows should be straight.
{jb_bluedisc}4{/jb_bluedisc} No Gaps should be left between women standing.