6/25. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 761b — A Gentle Lesson on Ramadan Night Prayer
Encouragement to pray qiyam during Ramadan, which is Tarawih
Hadith About Tarawih Prayer, Mercy, and Ease
Sahih Muslim : 761b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 761b
وَحَدَّثَنِي حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ، أَخْبَرَتْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَرَجَ مِنْ جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ فَصَلَّى فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَصَلَّى رِجَالٌ بِصَلاَتِهِ فَأَصْبَحَ النَّاسُ يَتَحَدَّثُونَ بِذَلِكَ فَاجْتَمَعَ أَكْثَرُ مِنْهُمْ فَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي اللَّيْلَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ فَصَلَّوْا بِصَلاَتِهِ فَأَصْبَحَ النَّاسُ يَذْكُرُونَ ذَلِكَ فَكَثُرَ أَهْلُ الْمَسْجِدِ مِنَ اللَّيْلَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ فَخَرَجَ فَصَلَّوْا بِصَلاَتِهِ فَلَمَّا كَانَتِ اللَّيْلَةُ الرَّابِعَةُ عَجَزَ الْمَسْجِدُ عَنْ أَهْلِهِ فَلَمْ يَخْرُجْ إِلَيْهِمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَطَفِقَ رِجَالٌ مِنْهُمْ يَقُولُونَ الصَّلاَةَ . فَلَمْ يَخْرُجْ إِلَيْهِمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى خَرَجَ لِصَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ فَلَمَّا قَضَى الْفَجْرَ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى النَّاسِ ثُمَّ تَشَهَّدَ فَقَالَ " أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَخْفَ عَلَىَّ شَأْنُكُمُ اللَّيْلَةَ وَلَكِنِّي خَشِيتُ أَنْ تُفْرَضَ عَلَيْكُمْ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ فَتَعْجِزُوا عَنْهَا " .
A'isha Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out during the night and observed prayer in the mosque and some of the people prayed along with him. When it was morning the people talked about this and so a large number of people gathered there. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out for the second night, and they (the people) prayed along with him. When it was morning the people began to talk about it. So the mosque thronged with people on the third night. He (the Holy Prophet) came out and they prayed along with him.When it was the fourth night, the mosque was filled to its utmost capacity but the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not come out. Some persons among then cried:" Prayer." But the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not come to them till he came out for the morning prayer.When he had completed the morning prayer, he turned his face to the people and recited Tashahhud (I bear testimony that there is no god but Allah and I bear testimony that Muhammad is His Messenger) and then said: Your affair was not hidden from me in the night, but I was afraid that (my observing prayer continuously) might make the night prayer obligatory for you and you might be unable to perform it.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 761bIn-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 212USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1667
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 761b
This Hadith about Tarawih prayer gives a fuller picture of the same Ramadan event. Aisha reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) came out at night and prayed in the mosque, and some people prayed with him. The news spread, so more people gathered the next nights. By the fourth night, the mosque was filled, but he did not come out until the morning prayer. After Fajr, he spoke to the people and said their matter was not hidden from him. He explained that he feared night prayer might become obligatory for them and that they might be unable to perform it. The Hadith teaches worship with balance and shows the Prophet's care for his community.
What we learn from this hadith
- The people were eager to pray behind the Prophet at night.
- The Prophet knew they had gathered but chose not to come out.
- His reason was fear that the night prayer would become obligatory and hard for them.
