Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sahih al-Bukhari, which contains 7,277 hadiths across 97 books. It is hadith number 723 in the Book of Call to Prayers (Adhaan).

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

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#722

#723

Sahih al-Bukhari

#724

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Sahih al-Bukhari #723

Q: What is Sahih al-Bukhari 723 about?

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Call to Prayers (Adhaan)), narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:, states: "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "You see me facing the Qibla; but, by Allah, nothing is hidden from me regarding your bowing and submissiveness and I see you from behind my back.""

Call to Prayers (Adhaan)

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ هَلْ تَرَوْنَ قِبْلَتِي هَا هُنَا وَاللَّهِ مَا يَخْفَى عَلَىَّ رُكُوعُكُمْ وَلاَ خُشُوعُكُمْ، وَإِنِّي لأَرَاكُمْ وَرَاءَ ظَهْرِي ‏"‏‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "You see me facing the Qibla; but, by Allah, nothing is hidden from me regarding your bowing and submissiveness and I see you from behind my back."

Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasizes his awareness of the congregation's actions during prayer, despite their physical positioning. He highlights that he can see their bowing and submission, reinforcing the importance of sincerity in worship. The takeaway is that one's inner state during prayer is crucial, as it is observed by Allah and His Messenger.

Modern Application

In daily salah, this hadith reminds us to focus on our inner devotion and humility during prayer. It encourages believers to maintain sincerity and mindfulness, knowing that their actions are observed, which can enhance the quality of their worship.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Prophetic Conduct because it illustrates the significance of attentiveness in prayer and the Prophet's (ﷺ) awareness of the congregation's spiritual state.

Prayer Prophetic Conduct

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

3 ayahs

قَدْ نَرَىٰ تَقَلُّبَ وَجْهِكَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ ۖ فَلَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ قِبْلَةًۭ تَرْضَىٰهَا ۚ فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۚ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُۥ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ لَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَٰفِلٍ عَمَّا يَعْمَلُونَ

We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Muhammad], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a qiblah with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer]. Indeed, those who have been given the Scripture well know that it is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do.

وَمِنْ حَيْثُ خَرَجْتَ فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

So from wherever you go out [for prayer, O Muhammad] turn your face toward al- Masjid al-Haram, and indeed, it is the truth from your Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.

وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْمَشْرِقُ وَٱلْمَغْرِبُ ۚ فَأَيْنَمَا تُوَلُّوا۟ فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌۭ

And to Allah belongs the east and the west. So wherever you [might] turn, there is the Face of Allah. Indeed, Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.

سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ

At-Tawba (The Repentance)

1 ayah

وَقُلِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ فَسَيَرَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۖ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَٰلِمِ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

And say, "Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so, will] His Messenger and the believers. And you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do."

سُورَةُ البُرُوجِ

Al-Burooj (The Constellations)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَٱللَّهُ مِن وَرَآئِهِم مُّحِيطٌۢ

While Allah encompasses them from behind.

Common Words

83 total66 unique12 repeated

ٱلله5x

وجهك3x

من3x

فول2x

شطر2x

ٱلمسجد2x

ٱلحرام2x

كنتم2x

وما2x

بغفل2x

عما2x

تعملون2x

قد1x

نرى1x

تقلب1x

فى1x

ٱلسماء1x

فلنولينك1x

قبلة1x

ترضىها1x

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About Sahih al-Bukhari

This hadith is #723 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Call to Prayers (Adhaan). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:.

Browse all Sahih al-Bukhari All Hadith Collections