2/29. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 493 — Prayer Near Camels and Sheep
Praying In Camel Resting Areas
Hadith About Praying in Camel Resting Places and Sheep Folds
Sunan Abi Dawud : 493
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 493
حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الرَّازِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى، عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ بْنِ عَازِبٍ، قَالَ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الصَّلاَةِ فِي مَبَارِكِ الإِبِلِ فَقَالَ " لاَ تُصَلُّوا فِي مَبَارِكِ الإِبِلِ فَإِنَّهَا مِنَ الشَّيَاطِينِ " . وَسُئِلَ عَنِ الصَّلاَةِ فِي مَرَابِضِ الْغَنَمِ فَقَالَ " صَلُّوا فِيهَا فَإِنَّهَا بَرَكَةٌ " .
Bara’ b. Azib reported : The Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him) was asked about saying prayer at places where the camels kneel down. He replied; Do not say prayer at places where the camels kneel down because they are the places of devils. And he was asked about saying prayer in the fold of sheep. He replied: pray there because they are the places of blessing.
[2] This narration preceded with more complete wording under number 184. The word Ghanam , translated here as goat, applies to both sheep and goats.Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 493In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 103English translation : Book 2, Hadith 493
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 493
This hadith about prayer places answers two direct questions. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about praying at places where camels kneel down. He replied not to pray there, and the narration says they are places of devils. Then he was asked about praying in the fold of sheep. He replied to pray there because they are places of blessing. The text makes a clear contrast between the two locations. For someone searching for “praying in camel places hadith” or “praying in sheep pen hadith,” this narration gives a direct answer. The explanation should stay with what the hadith states: camel resting places are not for prayer, while sheep folds are allowed in the wording of this report. It teaches that not every open place is treated the same for prayer.
What we learn from this hadith
- The hadith says not to pray where camels kneel down.
- The hadith allows prayer in sheep folds.
- Different animal areas are treated differently in this narration.
- A worshipper should pay attention to where prayer is performed.
