Sahih Muslim #1003

The Book of Prayers
Sahih

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

حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ سَوَّادٍ الْعَامِرِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، أَنَّ بُكَيْرًا، حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ كُرَيْبًا مَوْلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّهُ رَأَى عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ الْحَارِثِ يُصَلِّي وَرَأْسُهُ مَعْقُوصٌ مِنْ وَرَائِهِ فَقَامَ فَجَعَلَ يَحُلُّهُ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ أَقْبَلَ إِلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ فَقَالَ مَا لَكَ وَرَأْسِي فَقَالَ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ هَذَا مَثَلُ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي وَهُوَ مَكْتُوفٌ ‏"‏ ‏.‏
Why is it that you touched my head? He (Ibn 'Abbas) replied: (The man who observes prayer with plaited hair) is like one who prays with his hands tied behind.
Narrated by Abdullah b. Abbas reported that he saw 'Abdullah b. al-Harith observing the prayer and (his hair) was plaited behind his head. He ('Abdullah b. 'Abbas) stood up and unfolded them. While going back (from the prayer) he met Ibn 'Abbas and said to him:

Context

Abdullah b. Abbas observed a man praying with his hair plaited behind his head, which prompted him to intervene and untie the hair. He explained that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) compared praying with tied hair to praying with hands bound, indicating that such a posture is not ideal. This interaction illustrates the importance of maintaining proper decorum and presentation during prayer.

Modern Application

In contemporary practice, this hadith reminds Muslims to ensure they are in a suitable state for prayer, both physically and mentally. It encourages individuals to present themselves respectfully and to focus fully on their worship.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Prophetic Conduct because it addresses the proper manner of presenting oneself during prayer as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ طه
Taa-Haa (Taa-Haa)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
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قَالَ يَبْنَؤُمَّ لَا تَأْخُذْ بِلِحْيَتِى وَلَا بِرَأْسِىٓ ۖ إِنِّى خَشِيتُ أَن تَقُولَ فَرَّقْتَ بَيْنَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَلَمْ تَرْقُبْ قَوْلِى
[Aaron] said, "O son of my mother, do not seize [me] by my beard or by my head. Indeed, I feared that you would say, 'You caused division among the Children of Israel, and you did not observe [or await] my word.' "
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Certainly has Allah showed to His Messenger the vision in truth. You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved and [hair] shortened, not fearing [anyone]. He knew what you did not know and has arranged before that a conquest near [at hand].
سُورَةُ صٓ
Saad (The letter Saad)
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قَالَ يَٰٓإِبْلِيسُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَن تَسْجُدَ لِمَا خَلَقْتُ بِيَدَىَّ ۖ أَسْتَكْبَرْتَ أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلْعَالِينَ
[Allah] said, "O Iblees, what prevented you from prostrating to that which I created with My hands? Were you arrogant [then], or were you [already] among the haughty?"
سُورَةُ المَائـِدَةِ
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O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.
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قَالَ يَٰٓإِبْلِيسُ مَا لَكَ أَلَّا تَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّٰجِدِينَ
[Allah] said, O Iblees, what is [the matter] with you that you are not with those who prostrate?"

Common Words

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من4x
قال3x
ٱلله3x
إلى3x
أو3x
لا2x
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يبنؤم1x
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About Sahih Muslim

This hadith is #1003 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Prayers. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Abdullah b. Abbas reported that he saw 'Abdullah b. al-Harith observing the prayer and (his hair) was plaited behind his head. He ('Abdullah b. 'Abbas) stood up and unfolded them. While going back (from the prayer) he met Ibn 'Abbas and said to him:.

About This Hadith