5/10. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 836 — Keeping Isha Prayer Manageable
The recitation for the ‘Isha’ Prayer
Keeping Isha Prayer Manageable for People
Sunan Ibn Majah : 836
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 836
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحٍ، أَنْبَأَنَا اللَّيْثُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، أَنَّ مُعَاذَ بْنَ جَبَلٍ، صَلَّى بِأَصْحَابِهِ الْعِشَاءَ فَطَوَّلَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " اقْرَأْ بِالشَّمْسِ وَضُحَاهَا وَسَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَى وَاقْرَأْ بِسْمِ رَبِّكَ " .
Jabir Narrated from:
Mu’adh bin Jabal led his companions for the ‘Isha’ and he made the prayer too long for them. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Recite ‘By the sun and its brightness,’[Al-Shams (91)] ‘Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High,’ [Al-A’la (87)] ‘By the night as it envelops,’ [Al-Lail (92)] or, ‘Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created.’” [Al-‘Alaq (96)]
[1] Ash-Shams (91).[2] Al-A'la (87).[3] Al-Lail (92).[4] Al-'Alaq (96).Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 836In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 34English translation : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 836
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 836
This Hadith about keeping Isha prayer manageable reports that Mu’adh bin Jabal led his companions in Isha and made it too long for them. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) then told him to recite Surah Ash-Shams, Surah Al-A’la, Surah Al-Lail, or Surah Al-‘Alaq. The text is practical and focused on leading people in prayer. It does not condemn reciting Qur’an itself; rather, it addresses making the congregational Isha too long for those behind the imam. For readers searching for the Muadh Isha prayer hadith, this narration gives named surahs and a clear lesson about considering people when leading prayer. The wording stays close to what was narrated.
What we learn from this hadith
- Mu’adh made the Isha prayer too long for his companions.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) guided him to recite specific shorter surahs.
- The Hadith shows care for people praying behind the imam.
- It gives examples of surahs suitable in that reported situation.
