6/4. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 700c — Allah’s Face and Prayer Direction
It is permissible to offer voluntary prayers atop one’s mount when travelling, no matter what direction it is facing
Hadith About Praying on a Ride and Allah’s Face
Sahih Muslim : 700c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 700c
وَحَدَّثَنِي عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ الْقَوَارِيرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ أَبِي سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي وَهُوَ مُقْبِلٌ مِنْ مَكَّةَ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ عَلَى رَاحِلَتِهِ حَيْثُ كَانَ وَجْهُهُ - قَالَ - وَفِيهِ نَزَلَتْ { فَأَيْنَمَا تُوَلُّوا فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ}
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say prayer on his camel while coming from Mecca to Medina, in whatever direction his face had turned; and its was (in this context) that this verse was revealed:" So whether you turn thither is Allah's face" (ii. 115).
[1] Al-Baqarah 2:115.Reference : Sahih Muslim 700cIn-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 43USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1499
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 700c
This hadith about praying on a ride gives a more detailed scene. Ibn Umar reports that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed on his riding animal while coming from Mecca to Medina. His face remained in whatever direction it had turned. Ibn Umar also mentions the verse, “So wherever you turn, there is the Face of Allah,” and says it was revealed in this context. The explanation should stay close to this text: it is about prayer on a ride during travel and the direction faced in that situation. People looking for the Allah’s face verse hadith or prayer direction while travelling will find that this narration links movement, prayer, and the verse in a clear way.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed on his ride while travelling from Mecca to Medina.
- The hadith mentions his face turning in the direction of the ride.
- Ibn Umar connected this situation with the verse about Allah’s face.
