4/37. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 470b — Shortening Prayer for a Mother
The Command To The Imam To Make The Prayer Brief But Complete
Shortening Prayer for a Crying Child: A Hadith of Mercy
Sahih Muslim : 470b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 470b
وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مِنْهَالٍ الضَّرِيرُ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي عَرُوبَةَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنِّي لأَدْخُلُ الصَّلاَةَ أُرِيدُ إِطَالَتَهَا فَأَسْمَعُ بُكَاءَ الصَّبِيِّ فَأُخَفِّفُ مِنْ شِدَّةِ وَجْدِ أُمِّهِ بِهِ " .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
Anas b. Malik reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) having said: When I begin the prayer I Intend to make it long, but I hear a boy crying; I then shorten it because of his mother's feelings.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 470bIn-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 218USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 952
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 470b
This narration explains why the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) shortened prayer when a child cried. He said that he would begin the prayer intending to make it long, but when he heard a boy crying, he would shorten it because of the child’s mother’s feelings. The hadith about shortening prayer for a crying child is very clear. The Prophet’s first intention could be a longer prayer, but the real situation of someone in the congregation changed the length. The text shows care for a mother’s distress without adding anything beyond the narration. It is a strong lesson for imams: worship should be led with awareness of the people present, especially when someone may be emotionally affected.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet sometimes intended a longer prayer.
- He shortened the prayer after hearing a child cry.
- The mother’s feelings were taken into account.
- An imam should be aware of what happens in the congregation.
