4/36. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 465b — Leading Prayer with Ease
Recitation During 'Isha
Hadith About Leading Prayer Without Burdening People
Sahih Muslim : 465b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 465b
وَحَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، ح قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ رُمْحٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ أَبِي الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ صَلَّى مُعَاذُ بْنُ جَبَلٍ الأَنْصَارِيُّ لأَصْحَابِهِ الْعِشَاءَ فَطَوَّلَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَانْصَرَفَ رَجُلٌ مِنَّا فَصَلَّى فَأُخْبِرَ مُعَاذٌ عَنْهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ مُنَافِقٌ . فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلَ دَخَلَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَخْبَرَهُ مَا قَالَ مُعَاذٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَتُرِيدُ أَنْ تَكُونَ فَتَّانًا يَا مُعَاذُ إِذَا أَمَمْتَ النَّاسَ فَاقْرَأْ بِالشَّمْسِ وَضُحَاهَا . وَسَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى . وَاقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ . وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَى " .
Jabir Narrated from:
Mu'adh b. Jabal al-Ansari led his companions in the night prayer and prolonged it for them. A person amongst us said prayer (after having separated himself from the congregation). Mu'adh was informed of this, and he remarked that he was a hypocrite.When it (the remark) was conveyed to the man, he went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and informed him of what Mu'adh had said. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: Mu'adh, do you want to become a person putting (people) to trial? When you lead people in prayer, recite:" By the Sun and its morning brightness" (Surat ash-Shams)," Glorify the name of thy most high Lord" (Surat al-A`la)and" Read in the name of Lord" (Surat al-`Alaq), and" By the night when it spreads" (Surat al-Lail).
[6] Ash-Shams 91:1. [7] Al-A’lâ 87:1. [8] Al-A’laq 96:1. [1] Al-Lail 92:1.Reference : Sahih Muslim 465bIn-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 203USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 937
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 465b
This hadith about leading prayer without burdening people gives another wording of the report about Mu’adh b. Jabal. He led his companions in Isha and prolonged the prayer. A man separated and prayed, and when Mu’adh heard of it, he called him a hypocrite. The man went to the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and told him what happened. The Prophet said to Mu’adh, Do you want to become a person putting people to trial? Then he named surahs to recite when leading people, including Ash-Shams, Al-Ala, Al-Alaq, and Al-Lail. The lesson is practical and direct: leading prayer is not only about one’s own ability. It also means caring for the people standing behind the imam.
What we learn from this hadith
- An imam should not make prayer a hardship for the congregation.
- The Prophet corrected harsh judgment made against the man.
- Suitable surah choices matter when leading others.
- Prayer leadership requires care for the people behind the imam.
