2/70. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 595 — Ibn Umm Maktum Led Prayer
A Blind Man Being Imam
Hadith About Ibn Umm Maktum Leading Prayer While Blind
Sunan Abi Dawud : 595
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 595
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْعَنْبَرِيُّ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا عِمْرَانُ الْقَطَّانُ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم اسْتَخْلَفَ ابْنَ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ يَؤُمُّ النَّاسَ وَهُوَ أَعْمَى .
Anas Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) appointed Ibn Umm Maktum as substitute to lead the people in prayer, and he was blind.
[1] Meaning, he left him behind in Al-Madīnah when going on an expedition.Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 595In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 205English translation : Book 2, Hadith 595
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 595
This Hadith is short but meaningful. Anas reported that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) appointed Ibn Umm Maktum as a substitute to lead the people in prayer, and he was blind. The text shows that blindness did not stop Ibn Umm Maktum from being appointed to lead salah. The Hadith about a blind imam focuses on ability and appointment, not outward limitation. It also shows that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) made someone responsible for leading the people when he was absent. From the wording provided, the lesson is clear: the role of imam can be given to someone who is fit for it, even if he has blindness, when he is appointed for that task.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ibn Umm Maktum was appointed to lead prayer as a substitute.
- His blindness did not prevent this appointment in the narration.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) arranged leadership for the people in prayer.
- Ability to lead prayer is not judged only by physical sight.
