2/48. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 217 — Attending Congregational Prayer
What Has Been Related About One Who Heard the Call (to Prayer) But Did Not Respond To It
Attending Congregational Prayer: A Strong Warning
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 217
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 217
حَدَّثَنَا هَنَّادٌ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ بُرْقَانَ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ الأَصَمِّ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لَقَدْ هَمَمْتُ أَنْ آمُرَ فِتْيَتِي أَنْ يَجْمَعُوا حُزَمَ الْحَطَبِ ثُمَّ آمُرَ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَتُقَامَ ثُمَّ أُحَرِّقَ عَلَى أَقْوَامٍ لاَ يَشْهَدُونَ الصَّلاَةَ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ وَأَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ وَابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ وَمُعَاذِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ وَجَابِرٍ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَقَدْ رُوِيَ عَنْ غَيْرِ وَاحِدٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا مَنْ سَمِعَ النِّدَاءَ فَلَمْ يُجِبْ فَلاَ صَلاَةَ لَهُ . وَقَالَ بَعْضُ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ هَذَا عَلَى التَّغْلِيظِ وَالتَّشْدِيدِ وَلاَ رُخْصَةَ لأَحَدٍ فِي تَرْكِ الْجَمَاعَةِ إِلاَّ مِنْ عُذْرٍ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet Said: "I Was About To Order My Boys To Collect Bundles Of Firewood, Then Order Salat To Be Held, Then Burn (The Homes) Of The People Who Did Not Attend The Salat."
[1] “Meaning ‘a group of my young Companions, servants and slaves.’” ( Tuhfat Al-Ahwadhi )Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 217In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 69English translation : Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 217
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 217
This Hadith gives a strong warning about missing congregational prayer. Abu Hurairah narrates that the Prophet said he was about to order his boys to collect bundles of firewood, then order the prayer to be held, then burn the homes of people who did not attend the prayer. The report also includes an explanation that some scholars understood this as strong emphasis and severity, and that no one has a concession to leave the congregation except with an excuse. The wording should be read with care. Its direct message is that answering the call to prayer and joining the congregation is not a light matter.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet used very strong words about missing the congregation.
- The report connects the warning to people who did not attend the prayer.
- The added explanation mentions excuse as a valid reason.
- The Hadith shows that jama'ah should not be ignored without cause.
