6/25. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 761a — The Prophet's Mercy in Ramadan Prayer
Encouragement to pray qiyam during Ramadan, which is Tarawih
Hadith About Tarawih Prayer and Fear of It Becoming Obligatory
Sahih Muslim : 761a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 761a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلَّى فِي الْمَسْجِدِ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ فَصَلَّى بِصَلاَتِهِ نَاسٌ ثُمَّ صَلَّى مِنَ الْقَابِلَةِ فَكَثُرَ النَّاسُ ثُمَّ اجْتَمَعُوا مِنَ اللَّيْلَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ أَوِ الرَّابِعَةِ فَلَمْ يَخْرُجْ إِلَيْهِمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمَّا أَصْبَحَ قَالَ " قَدْ رَأَيْتُ الَّذِي صَنَعْتُمْ فَلَمْ يَمْنَعْنِي مِنَ الْخُرُوجِ إِلَيْكُمْ إِلاَّ أَنِّي خَشِيتُ أَنْ تُفْرَضَ عَلَيْكُمْ " . قَالَ وَذَلِكَ فِي رَمَضَانَ .
A'isha Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed one night in the mosque and people also prayed along with him. He then prayed on the following night and there were many persons. Then on the third or fourth night (many people) gathered there, but the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not come out to them (for leading the Tarawih prayer). When it was morning he said: I saw what you were doing, but I desisted to come to you (and lead the prayer) for I feared that this prayer might become obligatory for you. (He the narrator) said: It was the month of Ramadan.
[1] It was narrated by Mālik, from Ibn Shihāb, from 'Urwah, from 'Aishah. In some of the narrations of it from Mālik, it is clear that these are the words of 'Aishah. Muslim heard this from Yahyā bin Yahyā, perhaps "he said" refers to him, otherwise it is one of the others.Reference : Sahih Muslim 761aIn-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 211USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1666
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 761a
This Hadith about Tarawih prayer shows the care of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) for his followers. Aisha reported that he prayed one night in the mosque, and people prayed with him. He prayed the next night too, and more people joined. On the third or fourth night, many gathered, but he did not come out to lead them. In the morning, he explained that he saw what they were doing, but he stayed away because he feared that the prayer might become obligatory for them. The report states that this happened in Ramadan. The main point is clear: the Prophet loved worship, but he also cared about not placing a heavy burden on the people.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet prayed at night in the mosque during Ramadan.
- People joined him in prayer and the number increased.
- He did not continue leading them because he feared it might become obligatory.
