Riyad as-Salihin, 1068
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my life is, I sometimes thought of giving orders for firewood to be collected, then for proclaiming the Adhan for Salat. Then I would appoint an Imam to lead Salat, and then go to the houses of those who do not come to perform Salat in congregation, and set fire to their houses on them." <b>[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]</b>.
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:
والذي نفسي بيده، لقد هممت أن آمر بحطب فيحتطب، ثم آمر بالصلاة فيؤذن لها، ثم آمر رجلا فيؤم الناس، ثم أخالف إلى رجال فأحرق عليهم بيوتهم
((متفق عليه))
References1 variant
- In-Book Reference
- Book 8, Hadith 78
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
<b>Guidance from the Hadith:</b><br>
1) It gives a stern warning to those who fail to attend congregational prayer without an excuse, for the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would not have thought of inflicting such a punishment upon them, i.e. burning their houses, had it not been an obligation.<br>
2) It shows the Prophet’s mercy towards his Ummah as he warned them of disobeying his commands and made the resulting punishment clear to them.