What is the significance of this spot which was sought in the following Hadith?
حدثنا يزيد بن أبي عبيد، قال: كنت آتي مع سلمة بن الأكوع فيصلي عند الأسطوانة التي عند المصحف، فقلت: يا أبا مسلم، أراك تتحرى الصلاة عند هذه الأسطوانة، قال: فإني رأيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يتحرى الصلاة عندها
Answer
Imams Bukhari and Muslim (rahimahumallah) have recorded this Hadith.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 502, Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 509)
Translation
Yazid ibn Abi ‘Ubayd (rahimahullah) said: “I used to come with Salamah ibnul Akwa’ (radiyallahu ‘anhu) and he would offer Salah behind the pillar where the Quran was kept. I said, ‘O Abu Muslim, I notice that you are keen to offer Salah by this pillar.’ He said, ‘I saw that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was keen to offer Salah there.’”
The commentators state that this pillar is known as ‘Ustuwanatul Muhajirin’ [the pillar of the emigrants]. I have not come across any specific virtue for offering Salah at this pillar, other than the above. It seems that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used this pillar as a sutrah [an object used by those offering Salah as a barrier between himself and people passing].
The Sahabi (radiyallahu ‘anhu) obviously wished to offer Salah there to emulate Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al ‘Asqalani (rahimahullah) has cited the following narrations:
- Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) said: “If people knew the exact location they would fight with arrows [to offer Salah there]. She secretly disclosed the location to ibn Zubayr and he would frequently offer Salah there.”
- “The Muhajirun of the Quraysh would also gather at this pillar.”
(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 502. Also see: Fathul Mulhim, Hadith: 1120)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar