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Chapter 51
Hope in Allah's Mercy
438. Abu Najih `Amr bin `Abasah (May Allah be
pleased with him) reported: In the Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance, I
used to think that people who used to worship idols, were deviated and
did not adhere to the true religion. Then I heard of a man in Makkah
who was preaching a message. So I mounted my camel and went to him. I
found that (this man who was) Messenger of Allah (PBUH) remained hidden
because of the persecution by his people. I had entered Makkah
stealthily and when I met him I asked him, "Who are you?'' He (PBUH)
said, "I am a Prophet.'' I asked; "What is a Prophet?'' He said, "Allah has
sent me (with a message)". I asked, "With what has He sent you?'' He said, "He
sent me to strengthen the ties of kinship, to destroy idols so that Allah alone
should be
worshipped and nothing should be associated with Him". I asked, "Who has
followed you in this?'' He said, "A freeman and a slave". (At that time only
Abu Bakr and Bilal (May Allah be pleased with her) were with him). I said, "I
shall follow you". He said, "You can not do that now.
Do you not see my situation and that of the people? Go to your people,
and when you hear that my cause has prevailed, come to me".
So I went back to my people, and while I was with my people, Messenger
of Allah (PBUH) emigrated to Al-Madinah. I continued to ask people
about him till some of my people visited Al-Madinah. On their return, I
asked them, "How is that man who has arrived in Al-Madinah faring?''
They said, "People are hastening to him. His own people had planned to
kill him but did not succeed.'' Then I went to Al-Madinah and came to
him and said, "O Messenger of Allah, do you recognize me?'' He (PBUH)
said, "Yes, you are the one who met me in Makkah.''
I said, "O Messenger of Allah, tell me of that which Allah has taught
you and of which I am unaware. Tell me about Salat first.'' He (PBUH)
replied, "Perform the Fajr
(morning) Salat, then stop Salat until the sun has risen up to the
height of a lance, for when it rises, it rises up between the horns of
the devil, and the infidels prostrate themselves before it at that
time. Then perform Salat, for Salat is witnessed and angels attend it,
until the shadow becomes equal to the length of its object; then stop
Salat, for at that time Jahannam (Hell) is heated up. Then pray when
the shadow becomes longer, for the prayer is witnessed and angels
attend it, until you perform `Asr prayer; then stop Salat till sun
sets, for it sets between the horns of a devil. At that time the
infidels prostrate themselves before it.'' I then asked the Messenger of Allah
to tell me about Wudu', and he (PBUH) said,
"When a person begins the Wudu' and washes his mouth and nose, the sins
committed by his face, mouth and nostrils are washed out. Then when he
washes his face as commanded by Allah, the sins of his face are washed
out with the water from the sides of his beard. Then when he washes his
hands up to elbows, the sins of his hands are washed out through his
fingers with water. Then he passes his wet hands over his head and the
sins of the head are washed out through the ends of his hair with
water. Then he washes his feet up to the ankles, the sins of his feet
are washed out through his toes with water. Then, if he stands up for
Salat and praises Allah, glorifies Him, proclaims His Greatness as He
deserves and devotes his heart wholly to Allah, he emerges sin free as
the day he was born".
When `Amr bin `Abasah (May Allah be pleased with him)
narrated this Hadith to Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) a
Companion of the Prophet (PBUH), the latter said to him, "Watch what
you are saying. O `Amr bin `Abasah, a man will be getting all of this
in one shot?'' `Amr (May Allah be pleased with him) replied, "O Abu
Umamah, I have attained old age, my bones have become dry, my death is
approaching and there is no need for me to tell lies concerning Allah
and His Messenger (PBUH). Had I not heard this from the Messenger of
Allah only once, twice, thrice (and he counted up to seven) I would
never have reported it. Indeed I have heard this frequently".
[Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith makes the following seven points:
1. The preacher should be concerned about the safety
of his followers. It is for this reason, the Prophet (PBUH) stressed
upon `Amr bin Abasah (May Allah be pleased with him) to stay at home
and keep his conversion to Islam secret.
2. No matter how unfavourable are the circumstances
and how tough is the opposition, a preacher should always have firm
hope of help from Allah and be confident about his victory over his
enemy. That is why, the Prophet (May Allah be pleased with him) asked
`Amr (May Allah be pleased with him) to come to him when he received
information about his domination.
3. It is a proof of his Prophethood that what eventually happened was exactly
according to his prophecy.
4. Angels attend the Salat. One should, therefore,
perform Salat not only with peace of mind but also with utmost humility
and fear of Allah, so that it is reported and becomes more meritorious.
5. The times when Salat is unpraiseworthy are as follows:
a. After the Salat of Fajr to the time of sunrise.
b. At the time when the sun begins to decline.
c. After the Salat of `Asr to the time of sunset.
d. When the sun is rising or setting.
6. Wudu' and Salat expiate for sins. For this reason this Hadith has been
mentioned in this chapter.
7. Even in the Days of Ignorance (pre-Islamic period), pious and right-minded
people were averse to idolatry and thought it a deviation from the Right Path.
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