What is Sunan Abu Dawud 1226 about?

This hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud (Book of Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Detailed Rules of Law about the Prayer during Journey), narrated by Narrated Anas ibn Malik:, states: "When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was on a journey and wished to say voluntary prayer, he made his she-camel face the qiblah and uttered the takbir (Allah is most great), then prayed in whatever directi…"

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 Sunan Abu Dawud, which contains 5,276 hadiths across 43 books. It is hadith number 1226 in the Book of Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Detailed Rules of Law about the Prayer during Journey.

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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#1226

Sunan Abu Dawud

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Sunan Abu Dawud #1226

Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Detailed Rules of Law about the Prayer during Journey

Sahih

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

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا رِبْعِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْجَارُودِ، حَدَّثَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ أَبِي الْحَجَّاجِ، حَدَّثَنِي الْجَارُودُ بْنُ أَبِي سَبْرَةَ، حَدَّثَنِي أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا سَافَرَ فَأَرَادَ أَنْ يَتَطَوَّعَ اسْتَقْبَلَ بِنَاقَتِهِ الْقِبْلَةَ فَكَبَّرَ ثُمَّ صَلَّى حَيْثُ وَجَّهَهُ رِكَابُهُ ‏.‏

When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was on a journey and wished to say voluntary prayer, he made his she-camel face the qiblah and uttered the takbir (Allah is most great), then prayed in whatever direction his mount made his face.

Narrated by Narrated Anas ibn Malik:

Context

Anas ibn Malik narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) would face the qiblah when performing voluntary prayers while traveling. He would then pray in the direction his mount faced. This practice illustrates the flexibility allowed in Islamic worship, accommodating the realities of travel while maintaining a connection to the qiblah.

Modern Application

Today, many Muslims who travel continue to follow this practice, ensuring they can perform their prayers regardless of their circumstances. This adaptability allows them to maintain their spiritual obligations even while on the move.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prayer because it demonstrates the Prophet's approach to maintaining prayer during travel, emphasizing the importance of worship in all situations.

Prayer

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سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

4 ayahs

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.

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 ۚ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُۥ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَيْكُمْ حُجَّةٌ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ فَلَا تَخْشَوْهُمْ وَٱخْشَوْنِى وَلِأُتِمَّ نِعْمَتِى عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

And from wherever you go out [for prayer], turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] may be, turn your faces toward it in order that the people will not have any argument against you, except for those of them who commit wrong; so fear them not but fear Me. And [it is] so I may complete My favor upon you and that you may be guided.

فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ فَرِجَالًا أَوْ رُكْبَانًۭا ۖ فَإِذَآ أَمِنتُمْ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَمَا عَلَّمَكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُوا۟ تَعْلَمُونَ

And if you fear [an enemy, then pray] on foot or riding. But when you are secure, then remember Allah [in prayer], as He has taught you that which you did not [previously] know.

سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ

An-Nisaa (The Women)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قِيَٰمًۭا وَقُعُودًۭا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا ٱطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَٰبًۭا مَّوْقُوتًۭا

And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.

Common Words

117 total82 unique24 repeated

وجهك4x

ٱلله4x

فول3x

شطر3x

ٱلمسجد3x

ٱلحرام3x

ما3x

فإذا3x

ٱلصلوة3x

ومن2x

حيث2x

خرجت2x

من2x

وما2x

بغفل2x

عما2x

وحيث2x

كنتم2x

فولوا2x

وجوهكم2x

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About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #1226 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Detailed Rules of Law about the Prayer during Journey. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Anas ibn Malik:.

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