2/134. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 791 — Consider the Weak in Prayer
What Has Been Narrated Concerning The Deficiency Of The Prayer
Do Not Be a Trouble in Prayer: Caring for Those Behind You
Sunan Abi Dawud : 791
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 791
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا طَالِبُ بْنُ حَبِيبٍ، سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ جَابِرٍ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ حَزْمِ بْنِ أُبَىِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، أَنَّهُ أَتَى مُعَاذَ بْنَ جَبَلٍ وَهُوَ يُصَلِّي بِقَوْمٍ صَلاَةَ الْمَغْرِبِ فِي هَذَا الْخَبَرِ قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَا مُعَاذُ لاَ تَكُنْ فَتَّانًا فَإِنَّهُ يُصَلِّي وَرَاءَكَ الْكَبِيرُ وَالضَّعِيفُ وَذُو الْحَاجَةِ وَالْمُسَافِرُ " .
Hazm b. Ubayy b. Ka’b Narrated from:
Hazm b. Ubayy b. Ka’b said that he came to mu’adh b. jabal who was leading the people in the sunset prayer. According to this version, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: O mu’adh, do not become a trouble, because the aged, the weak, the needy and the traveler pray behind you.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 791In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 401English translation : Book 2, Hadith 791
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 791
This hadith gives a direct instruction to Mu'adh about leading people in prayer. In this version, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said not to become a cause of trouble, because behind the imam there may be the aged, the weak, the needy, and the traveler. This wording is very useful for anyone searching for an imam should shorten prayer hadith. It teaches that the imam should not lead prayer as if everyone behind him has the same strength, time, or condition. Some people are old. Some are weak. Some have needs. Some are traveling. The hadith does not cancel the value of prayer; it teaches mercy and care inside prayer leadership.
What we learn from this hadith
- An imam should think about the aged, weak, needy, and traveler.
- Prayer should not be made needlessly hard for the congregation.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gave direct correction to Mu'adh.
- Good leadership in salah includes awareness of people's needs.
