13/11. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1104a — Avoid Exaggeration in Worship
The prohibition of Al-Wisal
Avoid Exaggeration in Worship During Ramadan
Sahih Muslim : 1104a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1104a
حَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو النَّضْرِ، هَاشِمُ بْنُ الْقَاسِمِ حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ، عَنْ ثَابِتٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، - رضى الله عنه - قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي فِي رَمَضَانَ فَجِئْتُ فَقُمْتُ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ وَجَاءَ رَجُلٌ آخَرُ فَقَامَ أَيْضًا حَتَّى كُنَّا رَهْطًا فَلَمَّا حَسَّ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّا خَلْفَهُ جَعَلَ يَتَجَوَّزُ فِي الصَّلاَةِ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ رَحْلَهُ فَصَلَّى صَلاَةً لاَ يُصَلِّيهَا عِنْدَنَا . قَالَ قُلْنَا لَهُ حِينَ أَصْبَحْنَا أَفَطِنْتَ لَنَا اللَّيْلَةَ قَالَ فَقَالَ " نَعَمْ ذَاكَ الَّذِي حَمَلَنِي عَلَى الَّذِي صَنَعْتُ " . قَالَ فَأَخَذَ يُوَاصِلُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَذَاكَ فِي آخِرِ الشَّهْرِ فَأَخَذَ رِجَالٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ يُوَاصِلُونَ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَا بَالُ رِجَالٍ يُواصِلُونَ إِنَّكُمْ لَسْتُمْ مِثْلِي أَمَا وَاللَّهِ لَوْ تَمَادَّ لِيَ الشَّهْرُ لَوَاصَلْتُ وِصَالاً يَدَعُ الْمُتَعَمِّقُونَ تَعَمُّقَهُمْ " .
Anas Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was observing prayer during Ramadan. I came and stood by his side. Then another man came and he stood likewise till we became a group. When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) perceived that we were behind him, he lightened the prayer. He then went to his abode and observed such (a long) prayer (the like of which) he never observed with us. When it was morning we said to him: Did you perceive us during the night? Upon this he said: Yes, it was this (realisation) that induced me to do that which I did.He (the narrator) said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) began to observe Saum Wisal at the end of the month (of Ramadan), and some persons among his Companions began to observe this uninterrupted fast, whereupon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: What about such persons who observe uninterrupted fasts? You are not like me. By Allah. if the month were lengthened for me, I would have observed Saum Wisal, so that those who act with an exaggeration would (have been obliged) to abandon their exaggeration.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1104aIn-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 76USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 6, Hadith 2433
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1104a
This Hadith shows two connected lessons from Ramadan. Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was praying in Ramadan. When some people stood behind him and formed a group, he lightened the prayer. Later, he prayed a longer prayer in his own abode. When asked about it in the morning, he said that he had noticed them. The Hadith then mentions Saum Wisal near the end of Ramadan. When some Companions began uninterrupted fasting, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) questioned that practice and reminded them that they were not like him. The message is clear: worship should not be driven by exaggeration or forced hardness.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) showed care by lightening the prayer when people followed him.
- Long private worship does not mean others must carry the same load.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) warned against exaggerated Saum Wisal.
- Ramadan worship should remain guided and balanced.
