Moderation in what is done - Section 1

English translation

Anas said, “God's Messenger used to break his fast during a month so that we imagined he had not fasted during it at all, and he fasted so that we imagined he had not broken it. You did not wish to see him praying during the night without doing so, or sleeping without doing so.” Bukhari transmitted it.

English translation

‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The acts most pleasing to God are those which are done most continuously, even if they amount to little.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

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She reported God’s Messenger as saying; “Choose such actions as you are capable of performing, for God does not grow weary till you do.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

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Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “One should pray as long as he is lively, but when he slackens he should stop.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

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‘A'isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you dozes while praying he should fall over till he has slept enough, for when one of you prays while dozing he does not know whether he may be asking pardon and vilifying himself. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

English translation

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The religion is ease, but if anyone overdoes it it gets the better of him; so keep to the right course, approximate to perfection, rejoice, and ask help in the morning, the evening, and some of the latter part of the night.” Bukhari transmitted it.

English translation

‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Should anyone fall asleep and fail to recite his portion of the Qur’an or a part of it, if he recites it between the dawn and the noon prayer it will be recorded for him as though he had recited it during the night.” Muslim transmitted it.

English translation

‘Imran b. Husain reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Pray standing, but if you are unable, do it sitting; and if you are unable to do that, do it lying on your side.” Bukhari transmitted it.

English translation

He said he asked the Prophet (ﷺ) about a man who prays sitting, and he replied, “If he prays standing that is more excellent; but one who prays sitting has half the reward of one who stands, and one who prays lying down has half the reward of one who sits.” Bukhari transmitted it.

English translation

Abu Umama told of his hearing God’s Messenger say, “If anyone goes to bed in a state of purity and makes mention of God till drowsiness overtakes him, he will not turn round at any time during the night and ask God at that time for some of the good of this world and the next without His giving it to him.” Nawawi mentioned it in <i>Kitab al-adhkar</i> by the transmission of Ibn as-Sunni.

English translation

‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud reported God’s Messenger as saying:

Our Lord is pleased with two men. One is a man who gets up from his blanket and his covering from among his beloved and his family to engage in prayer. God says to His angels, “Look at my servant who has got up from his bedding and his blanket from among his beloved and his family to engage in his prayer out of desire for what is with me and fear of what is with me.” The other is a man who goes out on an expedition in God’s path and is routed along with his companions, but who, knowing what responsibility will rest upon him for being routed and what reward he will receive for going back, returns with the result that his blood is spilt. God says to His angels, “Look at my servant who returned out of desire for what is with me and fear of what is with me with the result that his blood was spilt.” [Baghawi] transmitted it in <i>Sharh as-sunna</i>.

English translation

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr said:

I was told that God’s Messenger had said, “Prayer engaged in by a man while sitting counts as half the prayer,” so I went to him and I found him praying while sitting, and I put my hand on his head. He said, “What is the matter with you, ‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr? ’’ I replied, “I have been told, Messenger of God, that you said that prayer engaged in by a man while sitting counts as half the prayer, yet you yourself are praying while sitting.” He said, “Yes, but I am not like one of you.” Muslim transmitted it.

English translation

Salim b. Abul Ja'd told of a man of Khuza'a saying, “I wish I had prayed and been at rest.” When the people seemed to disapprove of his saying that, he replied that he had heard God’s Messenger say, “Declare that the time for prayer has come, Bilal, and give us rest by it.”* * This probably means that prayer brings peace of mind. Abu Dawud transmitted it.