2/134. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 795 — Brief Prayer for the Congregation
What Has Been Narrated Concerning The Deficiency Of The Prayer
Imam Should Make Prayer Easy for the Sick, Aged, and Needy
Sunan Abi Dawud : 795
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 795
حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنِ ابْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، وَأَبِي، سَلَمَةَ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ لِلنَّاسِ فَلْيُخَفِّفْ فَإِنَّ فِيهِمُ السَّقِيمَ وَالشَّيْخَ الْكَبِيرَ وَذَا الْحَاجَةِ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
When one of you leads the people in prayer, he should be brief, for among them are the sick, the aged and the needy.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 795In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 405English translation : Book 2, Hadith 795
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 795
This hadith repeats the important teaching that an imam should be brief when leading people in prayer. Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that when one leads people, he should lighten the prayer because among them are the sick, the aged, and those with needs. The wording highlights real people in the congregation, not just an ideal group of strong worshippers. Some may be unwell. Some may be old. Some may have urgent needs. This hadith about brief prayer does not teach carelessness in worship. It teaches that prayer leadership should fit the people being led. The imam serves the congregation, so he should avoid making prayer hard for those who struggle.
What we learn from this hadith
- The sick should be considered in congregational prayer.
- The aged should be considered when leading salah.
- People with needs should not be made to face hardship in prayer.
- An imam should lead with care and awareness.
