20/17. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 1643 — Pray with Energy
The differing narrations from 'Aishah regarding staying up at night (in prayer)
Pray with Energy and Sit When Tired
Sunan an-Nasai : 1643
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 1643
أَخْبَرَنَا عِمْرَانُ بْنُ مُوسَى، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْوَارِثِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَرَأَى حَبْلاً مَمْدُودًا بَيْنَ سَارِيَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ " مَا هَذَا الْحَبْلُ " . فَقَالُوا لِزَيْنَبَ تُصَلِّي فَإِذَا فَتَرَتْ تَعَلَّقَتْ بِهِ . فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " حُلُّوهُ لِيُصَلِّ أَحَدُكُمْ نَشَاطَهُ فَإِذَا فَتَرَ فَلْيَقْعُدْ " .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered the masjid and saw a rope tied between two pillars. He said: "What is this?" They said: "It is for Zainab when she prays; if she gets tired she holds on to it." The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Untie it. Let any one of you pray as long as he has energy, and if he gets tired let him sit down."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1643In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 46English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1644
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 1643
This Hadith about praying while energetic gives a simple and practical rule for voluntary prayer. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) entered the masjid and saw a rope tied between two pillars. When he was told it was for Zainab to hold when she became tired during prayer, he ordered that it be untied. He said a person should pray as long as he has energy, and when he gets tired, he should sit down. The Hadith does not discourage prayer. Rather, it teaches that voluntary prayer should not become a burden that forces someone to use support just to keep standing. Worship should be real, aware, and within one’s strength.
What we learn from this hadith
- Pray while you have energy and focus.
- When tired in voluntary prayer, sitting is allowed in this text.
- The Prophet corrected worship practices that caused strain.
- Physical limits should be respected in voluntary worship.
