64/83. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4448 — Complete the Prayer
The sickness of the Prophet (saws) and his death
وَقَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى: {إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُمْ مَيِّتُونَ ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عِنْدَ رَبِّكُمْ تَخْتَصِمُونَ}.
Hadith About Completing the Prayer
Sahih Bukhari : 4448
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4448
حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ عُفَيْرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي اللَّيْثُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عُقَيْلٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ، بَيْنَا هُمْ فِي صَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي لَهُمْ لَمْ يَفْجَأْهُمْ إِلاَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدْ كَشَفَ سِتْرَ حُجْرَةِ عَائِشَةَ، فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَهُمْ فِي صُفُوفِ الصَّلاَةِ. ثُمَّ تَبَسَّمَ يَضْحَكُ، فَنَكَصَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ لِيَصِلَ الصَّفَّ، وَظَنَّ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ أَنَسٌ وَهَمَّ الْمُسْلِمُونَ أَنْ يَفْتَتِنُوا فِي صَلاَتِهِمْ فَرَحًا بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِمْ بِيَدِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ أَتِمُّوا صَلاَتَكُمْ، ثُمَّ دَخَلَ الْحُجْرَةَ وَأَرْخَى السِّتْرَ.
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
While the Muslims were offering the Fajr prayer on Monday and Abu Bakr was leading them in prayer, suddenly Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) lifted the curtain of `Aisha's dwelling and looked at them while they were in the rows of the prayers and smiled. Abu Bakr retreated to join the row, thinking that Allah's Apostle wanted to come out for the prayer.The Muslims were about to be put to trial in their prayer (i.e. were about to give up praying) because of being overjoyed at seeing Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). But Allah's Apostle beckoned them with his hand to complete their prayer and then entered the dwelling and let fall the curtain.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4448In-book reference : Book 64, Hadith 468USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 729
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4448
This hadith about completing the prayer shows a powerful scene during Fajr on Monday. The Muslims were praying while Abu Bakr led them. Then the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم lifted the curtain of Aisha’s room and looked at them standing in rows. He smiled, and Abu Bakr thought the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم wanted to come out for the prayer, so he began to step back. The Muslims were so happy at seeing him that they nearly lost focus in their prayer. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم signaled with his hand for them to complete their prayer, then he entered the room and let the curtain fall. The main lesson in this prayer focus hadith is clear: joy is natural, but prayer should be completed with attention.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Muslims felt great joy when they saw the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- Abu Bakr showed respect by trying to move back from leading.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم signaled to them to complete the prayer.
- The prayer rows and prayer itself remained a serious duty even in that emotional moment.
