بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Al-Hamdu-Lillaahi Rabbil-'Aalameen was-Salaatu was-Salaamu 'alaa Ashrafil-Anbiyaa.e wal-Mursaleen, wa ba'd:
We happen to pray in Jama in a Non Masjid environment like College, University and or office Environment that many times we are careless about the advise of Prophet (ﷺ) on who should lead the Salah. Someone who is most fit to lead the Salah asks someone else and someone who is least qualified comes forward and leads to the Salah. This is a disobeyance to Prophet (ﷺ).
When we read Raheequl Maqtum, the sealed nectar, we can see the following Hadith under the title "Four days before the Prophet death", which shows how important on the person who should lead a Salah and it is not random choice.
Narrated `Aisha:
When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) became seriously ill, Bilal came to him for the prayer. He said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer." I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Abu Bakr is a softhearted man and if he stands in your place, he would not be able to make the people hear him. Will you order `Umar (to lead the prayer)?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer." Then I said to Hafsa, "Tell him, Abu i Bakr is a softhearted man and if he stands in his place, he would not be able to make the people hear him. Would you order `Umar to lead the prayer?' " Hafsa did so. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Verily you are the companions of Joseph. Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer." So Abu- Bakr stood for the prayer. In the meantime Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) felt better and came out with the help of two persons and both of his legs were dragging on the ground till he entered the mosque. When Abu Bakr heard him coming, he tried to retreat but Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) beckoned him to carry on. The Prophet (ﷺ) sat on his left side. Abu Bakr was praying while standing and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was leading the prayer while sitting. Abu Bakr was following the Prophet (ﷺ) and the people were following Abu Bakr (in the prayer). [Sahih al-Bukhari 713]
Why Not Umar (RA) ? Why Abu Bakr (RA)? It shows how important is on one who should lead the Salah..
Lets see the proofs on who should lead the Salah:
Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to us: The one who is well grounded in Allah's Book and is distinguished among them in recitation should act as; Imam for the people. and if they are equally versed in reciting it, then the one who has most knowledge regarding Sunnah; if they are equal regarding the Sunnah, then the earliest one to emigrate; If they emigrated at the same time, then the oldest one in age. No man must lead another in prayer in latter's house or where (the latter) has authority, or sit in his place of honour in his house, except that he gives you permission or with his permission. [Sahih Muslim 673 c]
What is meant by “the one who has most knowledge of the Qur’aan” is not the one who can recite it most beautifully, but rather the one who has memorized more of the Book of Allaah. This is indicated by the hadeeth of ‘Amr ibn Salamah who said:
We were at a place which was a thoroughfare for the people, and the caravans used to pass by us and we would ask them, "What is wrong with the people? What is wrong with the people? Who is that man?. They would say, "That man claims that Allah has sent him (as an Apostle), that he has been divinely inspired, that Allah has revealed to him such-and-such." I used to memorize that (Divine) Talk, and feel as if it was inculcated in my chest (i.e. mind) And the 'Arabs (other than Quraish) delayed their conversion to Islam till the Conquest (of Mecca). They used to say." "Leave him (i.e. Muhammad) and his people Quraish: if he overpowers them then he is a true Prophet. So, when Mecca was conquered, then every tribe rushed to embrace Islam, and my father hurried to embrace Islam before (the other members of) my tribe. When my father returned (from the Prophet) to his tribe, he said, "By Allah, I have come to you from the Prophet (ﷺ) for sure!" The Prophet (ﷺ) afterwards said to them, 'Offer such-and-such prayer at such-and-such time, and when the time for the prayer becomes due, then one of you should pronounce the Adhan (for the prayer), and let the one amongst you who knows Qur'an most should, lead the prayer." So they looked for such a person and found none who knew more Qur'an than I because of the Qur'anic material which I used to learn from the caravans. They therefore made me their Imam ((to lead the prayer) and at that time I was a boy of six or seven years. [Sahih al-Bukhari 4302]
Al-Nawawi said:
Maalik, al-Shaafa’i and their companions said that the one who has more knowledge of fiqh should take precedence over the one who knows more Qur’aan, because what he needs of recitation is known but what he needs of fiqh may not be clear. There may arise during the prayer some matter where only a person who has complete knowledge of fiqh will be able to know the right thing to do. They said that this is the reason why the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) to lead the prayer rather than anyone else, even though he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had stated that others had more knowledge of Qur’aan than him.
Ibn Qudaamah said:
If one of them has more knowledge of the rulings on prayer, and the other has more knowledge of matters other than prayer, then the one who has more knowledge about prayer should be given precedence.
Al-Mughni, 2/19
The Standing Committee said:
If this is understood, then it is not permissible for one who is ignorant to lead the prayer unless he is leading others like him, if there is no one who is better qualified to lead the prayer.
Fataawa Islamiyyah, 1/264
In an anonymous environment, it would not be Clear on who has more knowledge of Quran and Sunnah. Because some may remember many verses of a big surah and some may remember short surah's and verses.
Someone may remember a few Hadith and someone else may remember few other hadith which the former don't remember. Someone may remember more hadith but they may not follow it.
The third condition is the one who emigrated to Islam, which is not valid today.
The fourth condition is the oldest one in age. This is usually not difficult to determine. There is also another Hadith reported in Sahih Bukhari
Narrated Malik bin Huwairith:
Two men came to the Prophet (ﷺ) with the intention of a journey. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When (both of) you set out, pronounce Adhan and then Iqama and the oldest of you should lead the prayer." [ Sahih al-Bukhari 630 , Sahih al-Bukhari 631 , Sahih Muslim 674 a- 674 c]
Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who does not show mercy to our children nor acknowledge the right of our old people is not one of us." Sahih (Al-Albani) Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 353
On a side note, the fifth conditons excludes all of them if the place is a private place belonging to someone else.
"No man must lead another in prayer in latter's house or where (the latter) has authority, or sit in his place of honour in his house, except that he gives you permission or with his permission"
Reference: http://islamqa.info/en/20219
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“There are three whose prayer do not rise more than a hand span above their heads: A man who leads people (in prayer) when they do not like him; a woman who has spent the night with her husband angry with her; and two brothers who have severed contact with one another.”
Sunan Ibn Majah 1024
Grade : Hasan (Darussalam)
Al-Hamdu-Lillaahi Rabbil-'Aalameen was-Salaatu was-Salaamu 'alaa Ashrafil-Anbiyaa.e wal-Mursaleen, wa ba'd:
We happen to pray in Jama in a Non Masjid environment like College, University and or office Environment that many times we are careless about the advise of Prophet (ﷺ) on who should lead the Salah. Someone who is most fit to lead the Salah asks someone else and someone who is least qualified comes forward and leads to the Salah. This is a disobeyance to Prophet (ﷺ).
When we read Raheequl Maqtum, the sealed nectar, we can see the following Hadith under the title "Four days before the Prophet death", which shows how important on the person who should lead a Salah and it is not random choice.
Narrated `Aisha:
When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) became seriously ill, Bilal came to him for the prayer. He said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer." I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Abu Bakr is a softhearted man and if he stands in your place, he would not be able to make the people hear him. Will you order `Umar (to lead the prayer)?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer." Then I said to Hafsa, "Tell him, Abu i Bakr is a softhearted man and if he stands in his place, he would not be able to make the people hear him. Would you order `Umar to lead the prayer?' " Hafsa did so. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Verily you are the companions of Joseph. Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer." So Abu- Bakr stood for the prayer. In the meantime Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) felt better and came out with the help of two persons and both of his legs were dragging on the ground till he entered the mosque. When Abu Bakr heard him coming, he tried to retreat but Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) beckoned him to carry on. The Prophet (ﷺ) sat on his left side. Abu Bakr was praying while standing and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was leading the prayer while sitting. Abu Bakr was following the Prophet (ﷺ) and the people were following Abu Bakr (in the prayer). [Sahih al-Bukhari 713]
Why Not Umar (RA) ? Why Abu Bakr (RA)? It shows how important is on one who should lead the Salah..
Lets see the proofs on who should lead the Salah:
First the foremost is the Hadith in Sahih Muslim. Imam Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj titles the hadith as "Who is more entitled to lead the prayer".
Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to us: The one who is well grounded in Allah's Book and is distinguished among them in recitation should act as; Imam for the people. and if they are equally versed in reciting it, then the one who has most knowledge regarding Sunnah; if they are equal regarding the Sunnah, then the earliest one to emigrate; If they emigrated at the same time, then the oldest one in age. No man must lead another in prayer in latter's house or where (the latter) has authority, or sit in his place of honour in his house, except that he gives you permission or with his permission. [Sahih Muslim 673 c]
What is meant by “the one who has most knowledge of the Qur’aan” is not the one who can recite it most beautifully, but rather the one who has memorized more of the Book of Allaah. This is indicated by the hadeeth of ‘Amr ibn Salamah who said:
We were at a place which was a thoroughfare for the people, and the caravans used to pass by us and we would ask them, "What is wrong with the people? What is wrong with the people? Who is that man?. They would say, "That man claims that Allah has sent him (as an Apostle), that he has been divinely inspired, that Allah has revealed to him such-and-such." I used to memorize that (Divine) Talk, and feel as if it was inculcated in my chest (i.e. mind) And the 'Arabs (other than Quraish) delayed their conversion to Islam till the Conquest (of Mecca). They used to say." "Leave him (i.e. Muhammad) and his people Quraish: if he overpowers them then he is a true Prophet. So, when Mecca was conquered, then every tribe rushed to embrace Islam, and my father hurried to embrace Islam before (the other members of) my tribe. When my father returned (from the Prophet) to his tribe, he said, "By Allah, I have come to you from the Prophet (ﷺ) for sure!" The Prophet (ﷺ) afterwards said to them, 'Offer such-and-such prayer at such-and-such time, and when the time for the prayer becomes due, then one of you should pronounce the Adhan (for the prayer), and let the one amongst you who knows Qur'an most should, lead the prayer." So they looked for such a person and found none who knew more Qur'an than I because of the Qur'anic material which I used to learn from the caravans. They therefore made me their Imam ((to lead the prayer) and at that time I was a boy of six or seven years. [Sahih al-Bukhari 4302]
Al-Nawawi said:
Maalik, al-Shaafa’i and their companions said that the one who has more knowledge of fiqh should take precedence over the one who knows more Qur’aan, because what he needs of recitation is known but what he needs of fiqh may not be clear. There may arise during the prayer some matter where only a person who has complete knowledge of fiqh will be able to know the right thing to do. They said that this is the reason why the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) to lead the prayer rather than anyone else, even though he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had stated that others had more knowledge of Qur’aan than him.
Ibn Qudaamah said:
If one of them has more knowledge of the rulings on prayer, and the other has more knowledge of matters other than prayer, then the one who has more knowledge about prayer should be given precedence.
Al-Mughni, 2/19
The Standing Committee said:
If this is understood, then it is not permissible for one who is ignorant to lead the prayer unless he is leading others like him, if there is no one who is better qualified to lead the prayer.
Fataawa Islamiyyah, 1/264
In an anonymous environment, it would not be Clear on who has more knowledge of Quran and Sunnah. Because some may remember many verses of a big surah and some may remember short surah's and verses.
Someone may remember a few Hadith and someone else may remember few other hadith which the former don't remember. Someone may remember more hadith but they may not follow it.
The third condition is the one who emigrated to Islam, which is not valid today.
The fourth condition is the oldest one in age. This is usually not difficult to determine. There is also another Hadith reported in Sahih Bukhari
Narrated Malik bin Huwairith:
Two men came to the Prophet (ﷺ) with the intention of a journey. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When (both of) you set out, pronounce Adhan and then Iqama and the oldest of you should lead the prayer." [ Sahih al-Bukhari 630 , Sahih al-Bukhari 631 , Sahih Muslim 674 a- 674 c]
Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who does not show mercy to our children nor acknowledge the right of our old people is not one of us." Sahih (Al-Albani) Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 353
On a side note, the fifth conditons excludes all of them if the place is a private place belonging to someone else.
"No man must lead another in prayer in latter's house or where (the latter) has authority, or sit in his place of honour in his house, except that he gives you permission or with his permission"
Reference: http://islamqa.info/en/20219
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“There are three whose prayer do not rise more than a hand span above their heads: A man who leads people (in prayer) when they do not like him; a woman who has spent the night with her husband angry with her; and two brothers who have severed contact with one another.”
Sunan Ibn Majah 1024
Grade : Hasan (Darussalam)
No comments:
Post a Comment