Some brothers keep quoting the hadith that the Prophet Sallahu Alaihi Wassalam asked a man get up and pray 2 rakat. Is this a special case? If so can you please quote the full hadith and give a detailed answer since it causes a lot of confusion to many of us. Jazakallah Khairan
Allah Taala commands us in the Holy Quraan: “When the Quraan is read, listen
to it with attention and hold your peace: that ye may receive mercy.” (Verse
204, Surah Al-A’araaf)
Many commentators like of Mujaahid, Ibn Juraij and Saeed ibnul Musayib
(R.A) are of the opinion that the above verse also refers to the period of
the Jumuah Khutba and Salaat. ( Tafseer Ibn Katheer – vol 2)
Rasulullah Sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam has also mentioned: “When one of you
enters the masjid whilst the imaam is on the pulpit (delivering the khutba)
then he should not perform any salaat nor should he speak until the imaam
completes (the sermon).” (Tabrani)
A hadith in Musnad Ahmad also suggests that when one enters the Musjid for
Salaatul-Jumua and the imaam has already commenced the sermon, then one
should sit down and listen attentively to the sermon and not perform any
salaat. ( Musnad Ahmad pg. 75, vol 5)
The above has been the practise of many eminent Sahaba (R.A.) and Tabi’een
such as Hazrat Umar (R.A), Uthman (R.A), Ali (R.A), Ibn Abbas (R.A), Imam
Malik, Laith, Abu-Hanifa,Thawri, Ibn Sireen (R.A). ( Sharh Muslim -Pg 287,
vol 1 / Musannaf ibn abi Shaiba Pg.20, vol 2 )
However, Imaam Shafie and Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal (R.A), are of the opinion
that it is mustahab (preferable) for one who arrives after the imaam has
commenced his sermon to perform his Tahiyyatul-musjid. (Sharh-Muslim- Nawawi
p.g 287) They have based their view on the strength of an incident that
occurred with Hazrat Sulaik Al-Ghatfani (R.A). Hazrat Jabir R.A narrates
that Sulaik Al – Ghatfani entered whilst Rasulullah
Sallallaahu-alaihia -wasallam was delivering the Friday sermon and sat
down. Rasulullah Sallallaahu-alaihi wasallam enquired of him if he had
performed his salaat.When he replied in the negative, Rasulullah
Sallallaahu-alaihi wasallam then ordered him with the following: a) to
stand up b) perform 2 rakaats( nafl-salaat) c) keep the salaat brief
Kitaabul-Jumuah – Sahih Muslim P.g 287, Vol-1)
The majority of the scholars who do not hold the same view as Imaam Shafie &
Ahmad bin Hanbal (R.A ), explain the above hadith to be a special case
concerning Hazrat Sulaik (R.A.) only. This line of reasoning has been
supported by a narration of Hazrat Abu Saeed Al-Khudri R.A that Rasulullah
Sallallaahu-alaihi wasallam had ordered him to offer his 2 rakaats of
salaat. He (Sallallaahu-alaihi wasallam) encouraged the sahaaba to be
charitable towards him, upon seeing his down-trodden condition. ( Kitaabul-
Jumua, Nasaai -Pg.208, vol 1) Hence the deduction of these scholars
indicates that the reason for Rasulullah Sallallaahu-alaihi wasallam’s
ordering him to perform his salaat was for the sahaaba to notice his
pitiable, poor and downtrodden condition. In this way Rasulullah
Sallallaahu-alaihi wasallam encouraged charity towards him.
Notwithstanding the above incident, Rasulullah Sallallaahu-alaihi wasallam
never commanded any other latecomer to stand up and perform his
tahiyyatul-musjid, as he commanded Hazrat Sulaik (R.A). There are many
incidents which substantiate this view, where a late comer was not commanded
by Rasulullah Sallallaahu-alaihi wasallam to offer his salaat. To the
contrary he was instructed to sit down and not cause any inconvenience to
others. (Nasaai- p.g 207 ) Some narrations also mention that Rasulullah
Sallallaahu-alaihi wasallam stopped his sermon, waited for Hazrat Sulaik
(R.A) and resumed his sermon after he had completed his salaat.( Musannaf
ibn Abi Shaiba-pg.20-vol2) This clearly indicates that Hazrat Sulaik (R.A)
did not perform his 2 rakaats during the sermon. Rasulullah
Sallallaahu-alaihi wasallam had also asked him to make his salaat brief
(whilst he waited for him).This also emphasizes the importance of listening
to the sermon. Infact Rasulullah Sallallaahu-alaihi wasallam prohibited any
other activity during the sermon, so that one listens to the advices of the
sermon. Even commanding someone with good during the sermon was prohibited,
although it is normally wajib act. Hence, if a wajib act was not permitted,
then how will a nafl act be given preference over it? (Al bahruraaiq p.g 271
vol 2)
>From the above, it can be concluded that it is advisable for the latecomer
to sit down and listen to the Friday Sermon and not to engage in any nafl
salaat. This viewpoint is strongly supported by the majority of the eminent
and pious predecessors.Even, great scholars like Imaam Shafie & Imaam Ahmad
bin Hambal are of the opinion that at the most, it is sunnat (and not
compulsory) for the latecomer to perform the tahiyyatul-musjid , during the
sermon. (Alfiqhul-Islaami wa adillatuhu – p.g 297 vol,2 )
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.