5/15. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 556a — Avoiding Distraction in Prayer
It is disliked to offer salat in a garment with markings
Hadith About Distraction in Prayer: Choosing Simplicity for Focus
Sahih Muslim : 556a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 556a
حَدَّثَنِي عَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، وَزُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، ح قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنِي أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لِزُهَيْرٍ - قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلَّى فِي خَمِيصَةٍ لَهَا أَعْلاَمٌ وَقَالَ " شَغَلَتْنِي أَعْلاَمُ هَذِهِ فَاذْهَبُوا بِهَا إِلَى أَبِي جَهْمٍ وَائْتُونِي بِأَنْبِجَانِيِّهِ " .
A'isha Narrated from:
The Apostle of Allah (ﷺ) prayed in a garment which had designs over it, so he (the Holy Prophet) said: Take it to Abu Jahm and bring me a plain blanket from him, because its designs have distracted me.
[1] The popular view is that it is a thick type of cloak with no markings on it, and that its name is derived from a place called Anbijân.Reference : Sahih Muslim 556aIn-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 76USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1131
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 556a
This Hadith about distraction in prayer shows how carefully the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم guarded his focus in Salah. A'isha reported that he prayed in a garment with designs on it. After the prayer, he said to take it to Abu Jahm and bring him a plain blanket instead, because the designs had distracted him. The teaching is simple and practical. Things in front of us or on us can affect concentration in prayer. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not ignore that distraction. He chose a plainer garment. For readers searching for how to focus in Salah or Hadith about prayer distraction, this narration gives a clear example: remove what pulls the heart and eyes away during prayer.
What we learn from this hadith
- Designed clothing distracted the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم during prayer in this report.
- He chose a plain blanket instead of keeping the distracting garment.
- A worshipper should care about focus in Salah.
- Removing a source of distraction can help prayer become more attentive.
