Sunnats and Aadaab of Men’s Salaah – Part 2

Admonition for those who Neglect Salaah with Jamaat in the Musjid

It was the burning desire of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that the men of the Ummah perform their Salaah with jamaat in the musjid. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) used to be greatly hurt when he learnt of people performing their salaah at their homes that he said: “Had it not been for the women and children, I would have commanded a group of youth to gather firewood and set fire to the dwellings of those people who perform their salaah at their homes without any excuse”^[1]

The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) had once seen Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) weeping. On enquiring from him as to what caused him to weep, he said: “I was shown by Allah Ta’ala that among the signs of Qiyaamah are that the people from my Ummah will discard their Salaah and follow their (evil) desires”^[2]

The Practice of Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) regarding Congregational Salaah

Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is reported to have said: “Guard your five daily salaah through performing it at a place where the azaan is called out (i.e. the musjid). Verily performing these (fardh) salaah in the musjid is from the sunan-e-huda (the prescribed acts of worship in Deen). Allah Ta’ala has prescribed for His Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) sunan-e-huda (such acts of worship which are complete guidance for you). During the mubaarak lifetime of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) none would omit the jamaat salaah in the musjid except an open munaafiq (an open hypocrite), to such an extent that even a sick person would not remain absent from the congregational salaah in the musjid. Rather, he would be taken to the musjid while being supported on the shoulders of two men. Each one of you (the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum)) has a specified place in his home reserved for performing nafl salaah, etc. However, if you begin performing your fardh salaah at home and leave attending the congregational prayer in the musjid, then you will be abandoning the emphasized sunnah of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). As soon as you will abandon his mubaarak sunnah, you will certainly go astray.”^[3]

It is reported that somebody asked Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma), “What is the condition of the person who observes nafl fasts during the day and offers nafl salaah the entire night, but neither goes to the musjid to perform salaah with jamaat nor attends the jumuah?” Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) replied, “He is doomed to Hell.”^[4]

---

[1] عن أبي هريرة أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقد ناسا في بعض الصلوات فقال لقد هممت أن آمر رجلا يصلي بالناس ثم أخالف إلى رجال يتخلفون عنها فآمر بهم فيحرقوا عليهم بحزم الحطب بيوتهم ولو علم أحدهم أنه يجد عظما سمينا لشهدها يعني صلاة العشاء (صحيح مسلم، الرقم: 651)

عن أبي هريرة قال قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم لولا ما في البيوت من النساء والذرية لأقمت صلاة العشاء وأمرت فتياني يحرقون ما في البيوت بالنار (مسند أحمد، الرقم: 8782)

[2] عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال لما حج النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم حجة الوداع أخذ بحلقتي باب الكعبة ثم أقبل بوجهه على الناس فقال يا أيها الناس قالوا لبيك يا رسول الله يفديك آباؤنا وأمهاتنا ثم بكى حتى علا انتحابه فقال يا أيها الناس إني أخبركم بأشراط القيامة إن من أشراط القيامة إماتة الصلوات واتباع الشهوات والميل مع الهوى وتعظيم رب المال (الإشاعة لأشراط الساعة صـ 171)

[3] عن عبد الله بن مسعود قال حافظوا على هؤلاء الصلوات الخمس حيث ينادى بهن فإنهن من سنن الهدى وإن الله شرع لنبيه صلى الله عليه وسلم سنن الهدى ولقد رأيتنا وما يتخلف عنها إلا منافق بين النفاق ولقد رأيتنا وإن الرجل ليهادى بين الرجلين حتى يقام في الصف وما منكم من أحد إلا وله مسجد في بيته ولو صليتم في بيوتكم وتركتم مساجدكم تركتم سنة نبيكم صلى الله عليه وسلم ولو تركتم سنة نبيكم صلى الله عليه وسلم لكفرتم (سنن أبي داود، الرقم: 550)

[4] وسئل ابن عباس عن رجل يصوم النهار ويقوم الليل لا يشهد جمعة ولا جماعة فقال هو في النار (سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 218)