40. Worship And Devotion Of Rasoolullah

Mughirah bin Shu'bah Radiyallahu 'Anhu reports that Rasuluilah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam performed such lengthy nafl prayers, that his mubaarak legs became swollen. The Sahaabah said : "You undergo such great difficulties, where Allah had forgiven your past and the future sins. "Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam said: "(When Allah Ta'aala has blessed me so much) should I not be a grateful servant?" Abu Hurayrah Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: "Rasulullah Sallallhu 'Alayhi Wasallam performed so many nawaafil prayers that his legs swelled. Someone said to him, you take so many pains, whereas you have been given the good news that your past and present sins have been forgiven? He replied: "Should I not be grateful servant". It is also narrated from Abu Hurayrah Radiyallahu 'Anhu that Rasulullah Sallallhu 'Alayhi Wasallam performed such a long salaah that his mubaarak legs became swollen. He was asked: "You perform such long prayers, whereas all your past and future sins have been forgiven?. "Rasulullah Sallallhu 'Alayhi Wasallam replied: "Should I not be an appreciative servant?" Aswad bin Yazeed Radiyallahu 'Anhu says he enquired from 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha regarding the salaah of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam at night. She replied: "Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam slept (after 'eshaa) for the first half portion of the night. He then awakened (and performed the tahajjud prayers) till the time of suhur (sehri), thereafter he performed the witr salaah. He then went to his bed. If he had a desire, he went to his wife. When he heard the adhaan, he got up. If he was in a state of janaabah (requiring ghusl) he performed ghusl. If not, he performed wudu and went for salaah". Ibn 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu reports that he once slept at the house of his aunt Maymunah (during his childhood). She slept on the width of the cushion and Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallarn slept on the length of the cushion. (Qaadi 'Iyaad and others have translated pillow as a bed. When the original word means pillow and it is possible to use it in such a manner, it is not necessary to translate it as a bed. For instance, Sayyidina Rasulullah Saliallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam must have slept on the length of the pillow facing the qiblah, and Sayyidina Ibn 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu on the breadth of it, putting his head on the qiblah side). Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam (after having a little conversation with his wife) slept till the middle of the night, or till a little before that. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam then awakened and began wiping off the signs of sleep from his face. He then recited the last ten aayaat of Surah Aali 'Imraan (Inna fi khalqis samaawaati wal ard). (The 'ulama say a little of the Qur-aan should be recited after awakening, as this creates strength and it is mustahab to recite these aayaat). He got up and went to a leather bag that was hanging and (took water in a utensil from it) performed wudu from it. He then commenced his salaah. 'Abdullah bin 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: 'I also got up (performed wudu) and stood next to-him (on his left). Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam put his right hand on my head and caught my ear and twisted it (A muqtadi should stand on the right side of an Imaam. The ear was twisted to remind him. In one narration it is stated that, I began to sleep, so Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam caught my ear. In another narration it is stated he caught my ear and pulled me to his right side, so that I might stand on the right according to the sunnah). He performed two rak'ahs, then two rak'ahs, then two rak'ahs, then two, rak'ahs, then two rak'ahs, then two rak'ahs. Ma'n (a narrator of this hadith) says Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam recited two two rak'ahs six times (the total of twelve rak'ahs. Mulla 'Ali Qaari has written that according to the madh-hab of Imaam Aa'zam Abu Hanifah, in tahajjud prayers there are twelve rak'ahs). He then performed the witr salaah and slept. When the mu-adh-dhin (Sayyidina Bilaal Radiyallahu'Anhu) came to him, he got up and recited two short rak'ahs and went for the fajr salaah. Ibn 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: "Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam sometimes performed 13 rak'ahs of tahajjud (including witr)". 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha reports that whenever Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam could not perform the tahajjud because of some reason. He performed twelve rak'ahs in the day (at the time of chaasht-before midday). Abu Hurayrah Radiyallahu 'Anhu says that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam said: "When one awakens at night (for-tahajjud salaah), two short rak'ahs should, be performed at the beginning" Zayd bin Khaalid Al-Juhani Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: "I once made up my mind that today I will closely study how Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam performed his prayers. I lay down on the threshold of the house or a tent of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam (so that I may have a chance to observe with close attention). Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam first performed two short rak'ahs. After that he performed long, long, long rak'ahs. (Long is mentioned thrice because of the lengthy periods spent in the rak'ahs). He then performed two rak'ahs shorter than the previous one's. Then performed two rak'ahs shorter than that. And again performed two rak'ahs shorter than the previous one. He again performed two rak'ahs shorter than that. He then performed the witr. All these (amounted to) thirteen rak'ahs" Abi Salamah bin 'Abdurrahmaan Radiyallahu 'Anhu says he asked 'Aayesha Radiyallahu 'Anha "How was the salaah (how many rak'ah tahajjud was performed) of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam in Ramadaan? "She replied: "Rasulullah Sallallhu 'Alayhi Wasallam did not perform more than eleven rak'ahs during Ramadhaan or after Ramadhaan. (Eight rak'ahs tahajjud and three rak'ahs witr). He performed four rak'ahs. Do not ask of its length or how wonderfully (i.e. with humbleness and concentration) it was performed. In the same manner he performed four more rak'ahs. In the same manner he again performed four rak'ahs, and do not ask of its length or how wonderfully it was performed. After that he performed three rakahs witr". Aayesha Radiyallahu 'Anha says "I said: "O Messenger of Allah. Do you sleep before you perform witr?" He replied: "O Aayesha, my eyes sleep, but my heart remains awake". (This is a special gift to the ambiyah (prophets) that their hearts remain awake at all times) 'Aayesh Radiyallahu 'Anha say "Rasulullah Sallallhu 'Alayhi Wasallam performed eleven rak'ahs at night, of which one was a rak'ah of witr. When he completed this he slept on the right side" Two other chains have narrations similar to the previous one. 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha reports that: "Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam performed nine rak'ahs at night" Hudhayfah bin Al Yamaan Radiyallahu 'Anhu says he performed salaah with Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam one night. (It has been reported in a few narrations that this incident took place during a night of Ramadaan. It is possible that this was tahajjud or Taraweeh salaah). After commencing the salaah he recited: Allahu Akbar, dhul malakuti wal jabaruti wal kibri-yaa-i wal a-za-mati. Translation : Allah is supreme! Lord of Dominion, Power, Majesty, and Magnificence. He then recited (after the Faatihah) Surah Baqarah, and performed ruku'. The length of the ruku' was as long as the qiyaam (standing posture). (The 'ulama give two meanings to this and both are possible. The first is that the ruku' was as long as the qiyaam. For example, if the qiyaam was for one hour, the ruku' was also for about one hour. Accordingly, this mas-alah is established, that if the ruku' and sajdah are longer than normal, the salaah will be valid. The second is that the qiyaam was longer than normal. In this instance if the qiyaam was for an hour, and the ruku' for fifteen minutes, then too it will be truly explaining this hadith. According to this saying the salaah remains in the normal manner. i.e. a fundamental action of salaah that was long, like qiyaam, remained long. And those that were short, like ruku' or sajdah, remained short. But certainly every fundamental action was longer than normal). Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam repeated: Subhaana rabbiyal azimi-Subhaana rabbiyal azimi. Translation : Glory be to my Lord the Magnificient. He lifted his head from the ruku' and stood. This standing was also long like that of the ruku'. At this moment he repeated: Li rabbiyal hamdu-Li rabbiyal hamdu. Translation : All praises are for my Lord. All praises are for my Lord. He then performed the sajdah. The sajdah was as long as the qawmah (standing in between the ruku' and sajdah). and he recited: Subhaana rabbiyal aa'laa-Subhaana rabbiyal aa'laa. Translation : Glory be to my Lord the Exalted. Glory be to my Lord the Exalted. He then sat up from the sajdah. This sitting was also long as that of the sajdah. Here he repeated: Rabbigh-fir lee-Rabbig-fir lee. Translation : O Lord forgive me. O Lord forgive me. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam recited in this salaah Surah Baqarah, Surah Aali 'Imraan, Surah Nisaa, Surah Maa-idah or Surah An'aam. The narrator (Sayyidina Shu'ba Radiyallahu'Anhu) is in doubt regarding the last two surahs, whether is it Maa-idah or An'aam. 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha says: "Once at night (salaah time), Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam kept on repeating one aayah.Commentary:The aayah is the last aayah of Surah Maa-idah: In tu-adh-dhib-hum fa-innahum 'ibaaduk. Wa in tagh-fir lahum fa-innaka antal azizul hakim. Translation : "If Thou punish them, lo! they are Thy slaves, and if Thou forgive them, (lo! the are Thy slaves).Lo! Thou, only Thou, art Mighty, the wise".Surah Maa-idah, 118. The Being that possesses great power, if He wills, He may forgive the criminal. The One that is all Wise, there is Wisdom and benefit in every act of His. The reason for Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam reciting this aayah while standing and also in the ruku and sajdah, and repeating it many times, is to bring to mind the two attributes of Allah, namely the attributes of justice and forgiveness. The whole scene on the day of qiyaamah will be of these two things. It is stated that Imaam Aa'zam Abu Hanifah RA. also recited the following aayah the whole night: Wamtaazul yauma ayyuhal mujrimun. Translation : "But avaunt ye, O ye guilty, this day!" Surah Yaseen, 58. In this aayah too the scene of qiyaamah is portrayed. That today the sinners should separate and distinguish themselves. What a severe and nerve-chilling command this is. Today they are together with the pious and holy people and benefiting from the barakaat (blessings) they receive, but at this moment the sinners will be separated from them. May the Most Merciful Allah with His Grace keep those pious souls under His shadow, otherwise it is really a time for great trials. 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud Radiyallahu 'Anhu reports: "Once at night I performed salaah with Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam stood for such a long time that I intended to commit an evil deed". Someone asked him what deed did you intend to commit? He replied. "To sit down and leave Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam alone". 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha says: "Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam Performed salaah (in old age) in a sitting posture (due to reciting lengthy portions) When about thirty or forty aayaat were left he stood up and recited (completed) these. He then performed the ruku' and sajdah. He did the same in the second rak'ah". 'Abdullah bin Shaqeeq Radiyallahu' 'Anhu reports that he asked 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha regarding the nawaafil prayers. She replied: "Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam performed nawaafil in the long part of the night whilst standing, and performed nawaafil in the long part of the night whilst sitting. His noble habit was that if he stood and recited (the Qur-aan) he performed ruku' and sajdah in a standing posture. If he recited whilst sitting, he performed the ruku' and sajdah in a sitting posture". Hafsah Radiyallahu 'Anha, the wife of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam reports: " Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam performed while sitting. He recited surah in it, and recited with such tarteel (distinct and clear intonation), that the surah became longer than one that is lengthier". Aayesha Radiyallahu 'Anha reports: "Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam performed most of his (nafl) salaah in a sitting posture before he passed away". Ibn 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu reports: "I performed two rak'ahs before and after zuhr, and two rak'ahs after maghrib with Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam in his house, and (also) two rak'ahs after 'eshaa in his house". Ibn 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu reports.. "Hafsah (my sister, Ummul Mu-mineen) related to me that when the time of fajr began (subh saadiq), and the mu-adh-dhin called out the adhaan, Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam performed two short rak-'ahs" Ibn 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: "I memorised from Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam eight raka-aat; two before zuhr and two after zuhr; two rak'ahs after maghrib and two after 'eshaa". Ibn 'Urnar Radiyallahu'Anhu said.. "Hafsah related to me about the two rak'ahs of the morning, which I did not observe from Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam". 'Abdullah bin Shaqeeq Radiyallahu'Anhu reports: "I asked 'Aayesah about the (nawaafil) prayers of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam?". She replied: "He used to perform two rak'ahs before and two after zuhr. Two after maghrib and two after 'eshaa, and two before fajr" 'Aa-sim bin Damrah Radiyallahu'Anhu says: "We asked'Ali about the nawaafil that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam performed in the day". (He must have known already about the nawaafil of the night i.e. tahajjud etc. Many well known narrations have been narrated regarding the tahajiud) 'Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu replied: "You do not have the strength to perform these." (i.e. The importance, punctuality, humility and humbleness Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam attached to performing these prayers, cannot be fulfilled. The reason for saying this was to admonish, as what benefit is there simply by asking and investigating, until an effort is not made to practise these) We replied: "The one amongst us who has the strength, will perform it"., (Those who do not possess the strength, will learn so that others could be guided and an effort will be made to practise). 'Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu said: "In the morning when the sun rises to the height of that, the same as it is at the time for 'asr. At that time Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam performed two rak'ahs (Salaatul ish-raaq). When the sun rose in the east to the height, where it is in the west at the time of zuhr salaah, he performed four rak'ahs (salaatut duha-chaast, this will be explained in the ensuing chapter). He performed four rak'ahs before the salaah of zuhr, and two after (These six rak'ahs are sunnah mu-akkidah). Four rak'ahs were performed before 'asr. In between the four rak'ahs he sat and sent salutations on the malaa-ikah.muqarrabeen, the ammbiyaa and the mu-mineen"