2/66. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 588 — Salim Led by Qur'an Knowledge
Who Has More Right To Be Imam
Salim Led the Prayer Because He Knew More Qur'an
Sunan Abi Dawud : 588
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 588
حَدَّثَنَا الْقَعْنَبِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَنَسٌ يَعْنِي ابْنَ عِيَاضٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا الْهَيْثَمُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ الْجُهَنِيُّ، - الْمَعْنَى - قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ لَمَّا قَدِمَ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ الأَوَّلُونَ نَزَلُوا الْعَصْبَةَ قَبْلَ مَقْدَمِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَكَانَ يَؤُمُّهُمْ سَالِمٌ مَوْلَى أَبِي حُذَيْفَةَ وَكَانَ أَكْثَرَهُمْ قُرْآنًا . زَادَ الْهَيْثَمُ وَفِيهِمْ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ وَأَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَسَدِ .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
When the first emigrants came (to Madina), they stayed at al-‘Asbah (a place near Madina) before the advent of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Salim, the client of Abu Hudhaifah, acted as their imam, as he knew the Qur’an better than all of them, al-Haitham(the narrator) added: and ‘Umar b. al-Khattab and Abu Salamah b. ‘Abd al-Asad were among them.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 588In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 198English translation : Book 2, Hadith 588
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 588
This Hadith says that when the first emigrants came to Madina, they stayed at al-Asbah before the arrival of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Salim, the client of Abu Hudhaifah, acted as their imam because he knew the Qur'an better than all of them. The narration also mentions that Umar b. al-Khattab and Abu Salamah b. Abd al-Asad were among them. The core message is clear and focused: Qur'an knowledge was a key reason for leading prayer. This Hadith about imam leadership shows that the person selected to lead was not chosen for fame or social position in the text. He led because of his Qur'an knowledge.
What we learn from this hadith
- Qur'an knowledge was the stated reason Salim led the prayer.
- The presence of well-known people did not change the reason given for leadership.
- The imam position was linked to ability in the Qur'an.
- Community prayer needs a person qualified to lead.
