2/108. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 683 — Eagerness and Prayer Row Etiquette
A Person Bows Outside Of The Row
Hadith About Bowing Before Joining the Row: Eagerness with Proper Prayer Etiquette
Sunan Abi Dawud : 683
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 683
حَدَّثَنَا حُمَيْدُ بْنُ مَسْعَدَةَ، أَنَّ يَزِيدَ بْنَ زُرَيْعٍ، حَدَّثَهُمْ حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي عَرُوبَةَ، عَنْ زِيَادٍ الأَعْلَمِ، حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ، أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرَةَ، حَدَّثَ أَنَّهُ، دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ وَنَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَاكِعٌ - قَالَ - فَرَكَعْتُ دُونَ الصَّفِّ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " زَادَكَ اللَّهُ حِرْصًا وَلاَ تَعُدْ " .
Abu Bakra Narrated from:
Abu Bakrah said that he came to the mosque when the prophet (ﷺ) was bowing. So I bowed outside the row (before joining it). The prophet (ﷺ) said; May Allah increase your eagerness! But do not do it again.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 683In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 293English translation : Book 2, Hadith 683
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 683
This hadith about bowing before joining the row teaches a balanced lesson. Abu Bakrah entered the mosque while the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was already in ruku. Out of eagerness, he bowed outside the row before joining it. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم responded with kindness: “May Allah increase your eagerness,” but he also said, “Do not do it again.” The hadith does not reject Abu Bakrah’s love for prayer. It recognizes his eagerness. At the same time, it corrects the way he acted. People searching for Abu Bakrah hadith, catching ruku hadith, or do not bow before joining the row are looking for this exact point: love for worship should stay within proper prayer practice.
What we learn from this hadith
- Eagerness for prayer is praised when it is joined with proper practice.
- Abu Bakrah bowed outside the row because he wanted to catch the prayer.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم corrected the action without dismissing the good intention behind it.
