I am reading the English translation of the book

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Date: Tuesday , July 12, 2011

Category

Hadith

Title

I am reading the English translation of the book

Question

I am reading the English translation of the book Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum by Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri published  by Darussalam. Now on page 367 it says

[Quote] “In the context of the events of the battle of the Trench, Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu alyahi wasalam) failed to observe some prayers in their proper time” [End of quote].

The author then goes on to substantiate this statement with hadiths from Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmed and Shafi’i. He ends the paragrah by saying that “the different narrations point to the fact that the situation lasted for a few days”.

The question is: I do not understand this paragraph at all. The thing is how can the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alyahi wasalam) missed any prayers and on top of that ‘some’ prayers for ‘a few days’ (Na’ouzubillah). I am sure there should be some other rationale or explanation for these hadiths

.

Answer

Muhtaram / Muhtaramah

In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāh wa-barakātuh.

 

We value your concern and advise you to always refer your matters to the Ulama. Many things may not be easily understandable or appear controversial in Islamic books which needs to be taught and explain by the Ulama. Thus, it is very important to study Islamic books under the tutelage of a trustworthy Alim.

1. Hafiz Ibnu Arabi Al-Maliki [died 543 A.H] (Ramatullahi Alayhi) states in his commentary of Tirmizi; “The most accurate view is; Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was occupied from observing “one” salat [unintentionally due to warfare] on the day of Al-Ahzab [battle of the trench].” [Not that he missed many salats on different days.]

(اسناده) ابو عبيدة عبد الله بن مسعود لم يسمع من ابيه فهو حديث منطقع الا ان روايته واسناده لا باس به والصحيح ما ياتي بعد هذا ان شاء الله. ان الصلاة التي شغل عنها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم و اصحابه يوم الخندق صلاة واحد و هي العصر. (عارضة الاحوذي. ج .1. ص . 246 . دارالفكر.)

2. Imam Nawawi [died 676 A.H] (Ramatullahi Alayhi) states in his commentary of Sahih Muslim; “Due to warfare Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was occupied from observing salatul asr till its time elapsed. At this time the command of observing salatul khawf [salat performed at the time of battle] was yet not enjoined.

وأما تأخير النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم صلاة العصر حتى غربت الشمس فكان قبل نزول صلاة الخوف قال العلماء يحتمل أنه أخرها نسيانا لا عمدا وكان السبب في النسيان الاشتغال بأمر العدو ويحتمل أنه أخرها عمدا للاشتغال بالعدو وكان هذا عذرا في تأخير الصلاة قبل نزول صلاة الخوف وأما اليوم فلا يجوز تأخير الصلاة عن وقتها بسبب العدو والقتال بل يصلي صلاة الخوف على حسب الحال.

(صحيح مسلم بشرح نووي. ج. 5 . ص. 132 . دار المعرفة بيروت.)

3. There are other Ahadith which indicates that Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was delayed from more than one salat on the day of AL-Ahzab. However the Ahadith of Bukhari and Muslim which states that He was occupied from “one salat” is preferred. As stated above by Hafiz Ibnu Arabi Al-Maliki (Ramatullahi Alayhi).

والصحيح ان الصلاة التي شغل عنها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم و اصحابه يوم الخندق صلاة واحد و هي العصر. (عارضة الاحوذي. ج. 1 . ص. 246 . دارالفكر.)

 

And Allah knows best
Darul Iftaa

Madrasah Inaa’miyyah

 

 

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