5/12. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1293 — Why the Prophet Left Some Good Deeds
The Duha Prayer
Why the Prophet Left Some Good Deeds: Aishah on Duha Prayer
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1293
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1293
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 .
A'isha Narrated from:
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.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1293In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 44English translation : Book 5, Hadith 1288
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1293
This hadith about why the Prophet left some good deeds is explained through Aishah's words. She said that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) never offered the forenoon prayer, but she herself offered it. Then she gave a reason connected to the Prophet's care for the people. He would leave an action, though he liked to do it, out of fear that people would continue doing it and it would be prescribed for them. The main lesson is about mercy and caution in worship. The hadith does not say people should reject the forenoon prayer, because Aishah says she offered it. It says the Prophet sometimes left a loved action to protect the community from extra burden.
What we learn from this hadith
- Aishah said she offered the forenoon prayer though the Prophet did not do so in this report.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) could leave an action he liked out of care for the people.
- The hadith shows fear that a repeated action might become prescribed for the community.
- A loved act of worship may still be left for a wise reason.
