65/48.2. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4837 — Thankful Worship
The Statement of Allah the Exalted: "That Allah may forgive you your sins of the past and the future and complete His Favour on you and guide you on the Straight Path." (V.48:2)
Hadith About Thankful Worship and the Prophet’s Night Prayer
Sahih Bukhari : 4837
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4837
حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا حَيْوَةُ، عَنْ أَبِي الأَسْوَدِ، سَمِعَ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّ نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَقُومُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ حَتَّى تَتَفَطَّرَ قَدَمَاهُ فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ لِمَ تَصْنَعُ هَذَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَقَدْ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكَ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ قَالَ " أَفَلاَ أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَكُونَ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا ". فَلَمَّا كَثُرَ لَحْمُهُ صَلَّى جَالِسًا فَإِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ قَامَ، فَقَرَأَ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ.
A'isha Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to offer prayer at night (for such a long time) that his feet used to crack. I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Why do you do it since Allah has forgiven you your faults of the past and those to follow?" He said, "Shouldn't I love to be a thankful slave (of Allah)?' When he became old, he prayed while sitting, but if he wanted to perform a bowing, he would get up, recite (some other verses) and then perform the bowing.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4837In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 358USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 361
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4837
This hadith about thankful worship gives Aisha’s report of the Prophet’s night prayer. She says he would stand at night until his feet cracked. She asked why he did this when Allah had forgiven his past and future faults. The Prophet answered, “Shouldn’t I love to be a thankful slave?” The narration then adds that when he became older, he prayed sitting, and when he wanted to bow, he stood, recited, and then bowed. Readers searching for Aisha thankful slave hadith, Prophet feet cracked hadith, or night prayer of the Prophet will see two clear points in the text: gratitude moved the Prophet to long prayer, and later he prayed in a way suited to his condition.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet’s long night prayer was tied to thankfulness.
- Aisha noticed the hardship on his feet and asked about it.
- The Prophet expressed love for being a thankful slave.
- When older, he prayed sitting and stood before bowing.
