2/57. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 564 — Reward When the Congregation Has Ended
Regarding One Who Leaves (His House) Desiring To Pray (With The Congregation) But Find That It has Finished
Hadith About Reaching the Mosque After Congregational Prayer
Sunan Abi Dawud : 564
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 564
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ - عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ طَحْلاَءَ - عَنْ مُحْصِنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ عَوْفِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ فَأَحْسَنَ وُضُوءَهُ ثُمَّ رَاحَ فَوَجَدَ النَّاسَ قَدْ صَلَّوْا أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ جَلَّ وَعَزَّ مِثْلَ أَجْرِ مَنْ صَلاَّهَا وَحَضَرَهَا لاَ يَنْقُصُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ أَجْرِهِمْ شَيْئًا " .
AbuHurayrah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: whoever performs ablution, and performs his ablution perfectly, and then goes to the mosque and finds that the people had finished the prayer (in congregation), Allah will give him a reward like one who prayed in congregation and attended it; The reward of those who prayed in congregation will not be curtailed.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 564In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 174English translation : Book 2, Hadith 564
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 564
This hadith about missed congregational prayer gives comfort to a person who still made the effort. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم describes someone who performs ablution perfectly, goes to the mosque, and then finds that the people have already finished the prayer. The hadith says Allah will give him a reward like one who prayed in congregation and attended it. It also states that this does not reduce the reward of those who actually prayed in the congregation. The teaching is focused on sincere effort and proper preparation. The person did not stay away carelessly in the wording of the hadith; he made wudu, went to the mosque, and arrived after the prayer had ended.
What we learn from this hadith
- Perfecting ablution before going to the mosque is highlighted.
- A sincere person who arrives after the congregation may still receive a reward like those who attended.
- The reward of those who prayed in congregation is not reduced by Allah giving reward to another.
