2/124. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 739 — Following the Prayer of Ibn az-Zubayr
The Beginning Of The Prayer
Following the Prayer of Ibn az-Zubayr: A Hadith on Raising Hands
Sunan Abi Dawud : 739
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 739
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ لَهِيعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُبَيْرَةَ، عَنْ مَيْمُونٍ الْمَكِّيِّ، أَنَّهُ رَأَى عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ الزُّبَيْرِ وَصَلَّى بِهِمْ يُشِيرُ بِكَفَّيْهِ حِينَ يَقُومُ وَحِينَ يَرْكَعُ وَحِينَ يَسْجُدُ وَحِينَ يَنْهَضُ لِلْقِيَامِ فَيَقُومُ فَيُشِيرُ بِيَدَيْهِ فَانْطَلَقْتُ إِلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ ابْنَ الزُّبَيْرِ صَلَّى صَلاَةً لَمْ أَرَ أَحَدًا يُصَلِّيهَا فَوَصَفْتُ لَهُ هَذِهِ الإِشَارَةَ فَقَالَ إِنْ أَحْبَبْتَ أَنْ تَنْظُرَ إِلَى صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَاقْتَدِ بِصَلاَةِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ .
Maymun al-Makki Narrated from:
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: Maymun al-Makki said: that he saw Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr leading in prayer. He pointed with his hands (i.e. raised his hands opposite to the shoulders) when he stood up, when he bowed and when he prostrated, and when he got up after prostration, he pointed with his hands (i.e. raised his hands).The I went to Ibn Abbas and said (to him) I saw Ibn az-Zubayr praying that I never saw anyone praying. I then told him about the pointing with his hands (raising his hands). He said: If you like to see the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) follower the prayer as offered by Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr.
[1] When he started the prayer.Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 739In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 349English translation : Book 3, Hadith 738
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 739
This hadith about following the prayer of Ibn az-Zubayr reports a discussion about raising hands in salah. Maymun al-Makki saw Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr lead prayer and raise his hands when standing, bowing, prostrating, and rising after prostration. Maymun found this unusual and asked Ibn Abbas about it. After hearing the description, Ibn Abbas said that if he wished to see the prayer of the Messenger of Allah, he should follow the prayer as offered by Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr. The hadith is mainly about a witnessed prayer form and Ibn Abbas's response to that observed movement.
What we learn from this hadith
- Maymun carefully noticed the hand movements of Ibn az-Zubayr in prayer.
- Ibn Abbas connected that described prayer with the prayer of the Messenger of Allah.
- The report highlights learning prayer by observation and asking knowledgeable companions.
