Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Da'if. The grade indicates the level of authenticity based on the chain of narration and content analysis.

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 1294 in the Book of Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Voluntary Prayers.

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#1293

#1294

Sunan Abu Dawud

#1295

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Sunan Abu Dawud #1294

Q: What is Sunan Abu Dawud 1294 about?

This hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud (Book of Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Voluntary Prayers), narrated by Narrated 'Aishah, wife of Prophet (ﷺ):, states: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never offered prayer in the forenoon, but I offer it. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would give up an action, though he liked it to do, lest the people should continue it and it…"

Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Voluntary Prayers

Da'if

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

حَدَّثَنَا الْقَعْنَبِيُّ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ مَا سَبَّحَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سُبْحَةَ الضُّحَى قَطُّ وَإِنِّي لأُسَبِّحُهَا وَإِنْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَيَدَعُ الْعَمَلَ وَهُوَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَعْمَلَ بِهِ خَشْيَةَ أَنْ يَعْمَلَ بِهِ النَّاسُ فَيُفْرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ ‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never offered prayer in the forenoon, but I offer it. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would give up an action, though he liked it to do, lest the people should continue it and it is prescribed for them.

Narrated by Narrated 'Aishah, wife of Prophet (ﷺ):

Context

Aisha, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), shares that he never performed the forenoon prayer, although he appreciated it. He refrained from doing so to prevent it from becoming obligatory for his followers. This illustrates the Prophet's wisdom in balancing personal practice with the potential impact on the community, ensuring that acts of worship remain voluntary and not burdensome.

Modern Application

This principle can be applied today by recognizing the importance of voluntary acts of worship. Individuals are encouraged to engage in personal spiritual practices without feeling pressured to conform to societal expectations, allowing for a more genuine connection with their faith.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Divine Command because it discusses the Prophet's approach to voluntary prayers and the implications of establishing practices within the community.

Prayer Divine Command

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ مَرۡيَمَ

Maryam (Mary)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْمِحْرَابِ فَأَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِمْ أَن سَبِّحُوا۟ بُكْرَةًۭ وَعَشِيًّۭا

So he came out to his people from the prayer chamber and signaled to them to exalt [Allah] in the morning and afternoon.

وَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ أَهْلَهُۥ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ مَرْضِيًّۭا

And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and zakah and was to his Lord pleasing.

سُورَةُ الإِسۡرَاءِ

Al-Israa (The Night Journey)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِدُلُوكِ ٱلشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَقُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ إِنَّ قُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًۭا

Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur'an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.

سُورَةُ الفَتۡحِ

Al-Fath (The Victory)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

لِّتُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَتُعَزِّرُوهُ وَتُوَقِّرُوهُ وَتُسَبِّحُوهُ بُكْرَةًۭ وَأَصِيلًا

That you [people] may believe in Allah and His Messenger and honor him and respect the Prophet and exalt Allah morning and afternoon.

سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ

At-Tawba (The Repentance)

1 ayah

وَلَا تُصَلِّ عَلَىٰٓ أَحَدٍۢ مِّنْهُم مَّاتَ أَبَدًۭا وَلَا تَقُمْ عَلَىٰ قَبْرِهِۦٓ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَمَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ

And do not pray [the funeral prayer, O Muhammad], over any of them who has died - ever - or stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were defiantly disobedient.

Common Words

60 total52 unique7 repeated

على3x

بكرة2x

ٱلفجر2x

بٱلله2x

ورسوله2x

وكان2x

ولا2x

فخرج1x

قومه1x

من1x

ٱلمحراب1x

فأوحى1x

إليهم1x

أن1x

سبحوا1x

وعشيا1x

أقم1x

ٱلصلوة1x

لدلوك1x

ٱلشمس1x

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About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #1294 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Voluntary Prayers. It is graded Da'if and narrated by Narrated 'Aishah, wife of Prophet (ﷺ):.

Browse all Sunan Abu Dawud All Hadith Collections

Sunan Abu Dawud #1294

Context

Modern Application

Topics

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Common Words

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About Sunan Abu Dawud

About This Hadith