The Legacy of Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام)

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعۡىَ قَالَ يٰبُنَىَّ اِنِّىۡۤ اَرٰى فِى الۡمَنَامِ اَنِّىۡۤ اَذۡبَحُكَ فَانْظُرۡ مَاذَا تَرٰى​ؕ قَالَ يٰۤاَبَتِ افۡعَلۡ مَا تُؤۡمَرُ​

 سَتَجِدُنِىۡۤ اِنۡ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ مِنَ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَ‏ 

فَلَمَّاۤ اَسۡلَمَا وَتَلَّهٗ لِلۡجَبِيۡنِ​ۚ‏ ١٠٣ 

وَنَادَيۡنٰهُ اَنۡ يّٰۤاِبۡرٰهِيۡمُۙ‏

قَدۡ صَدَّقۡتَ الرُّءۡيَا ​ ​ۚ اِنَّا كَذٰلِكَ نَجۡزِى الۡمُحۡسِنِيۡنَ‏ 

اِنَّ هٰذَا لَهُوَ الۡبَلٰٓؤُا الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

وَفَدَيۡنٰهُ بِذِبۡحٍ عَظِيۡمٍ‏

And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allāh wills, of the steadfast."

103 And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead,

We called to him, "O Abraham,

You have fulfilled the vision." Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

Indeed, this was the clear trial.

And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice,

[Al-Quran 37:102-107]

This is a story of Faith (Iman) and Submission (Islam). 

The Quran relates the great sacrifice demanded from Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام): to sacrifice his only child, and the child's complete submission to what was required of his father. The physical expression of this complete submission was the father putting his son down upon his forehead: the posture of prostration. 

The amazing submission of this young man, Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام), is amazing. He was not a baby. He was old enough to work along with his father (Q38:102). He was probably twelve or thirteen years old.* Generally, when boys are entering their teens, they show inclination to assert their independence, not submission, and that also to a dream. He was old enough to mock his old man. He was old enough to run away. This young Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) submits, willingly, assuring his father of his steadfastness, if Allah Wills (اِنۡ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ مِنَ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَ‏). He goes down in prostration, placing his forehead upon the ground. He is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice: lose his life, and embrace death, for the sake of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ . 

Allah was testing the father and son. Both passed with flying colours. Allah had bigger plans for them.  Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) was replaced with a great sacrifice. He is to assist his father Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) in purifying Allah's house, for the worshippers, and also raise its foundation: 

وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًا وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَٰذَا بَلَدًا آمِنًا وَارْزُقْ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ مَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُم بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ النَّارِ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِلَّا مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ وَلَقَدِ اصْطَفَيْنَاهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَإِنَّهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]."

And [mention] when Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a secure city country and provide its people with fruits - whoever of them believes in Allah and the Last Day." [ Allah ] said. "And whoever disbelieves - I will grant him enjoyment for a little; then I will force him to the punishment of the Fire, and wretched is the destination."

And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], "Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.

Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.

Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise."

And who would be averse to the religion of Abraham except one who makes a fool of himself. And We had chosen him in this world, and indeed he, in the Hereafter, will be among the righteous.

[Al-Quran 2:125-130, Translation: Sahih International (edited in italics) ]

Purify My House: From these ayaat, it seems the House already existed but it was appointed the centre of pilgrimage when Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) and Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) raised its foundations and purified the House. Similarly, their descendant whom they prayed for, Muhammad ﷺ , Messenger of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , purified the House when he conquered Mecca, and retaught the rites of pilgrimage.  

Raise the Foundation: Raising the foundations of an existing house is a common practice, especially in areas prone to flooding. The house is temporarily raised, separating it from its existing foundation; the foundation is then raised and the house replaced on the newly-built foundation. 

Just like his descendant Muhammad ﷺ was a Prophet and Messenger of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , so also The Quran informs us that Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) was also a Prophet and Messenger of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ :

وَاذۡكُرۡ فِى الۡـكِتٰبِ اِسۡمٰعِيۡلَ​ اِنَّهٗ كَانَ صَادِقَ الۡوَعۡدِ وَكَانَ رَسُوۡلًا نَّبِيًّا​ ۚ‏ ٥٤

وَ كَانَ يَاۡمُرُ اَهۡلَهٗ بِالصَّلٰوةِ وَالزَّكٰوةِ وَكَانَ عِنۡدَ رَبِّهٖ مَرۡضِيًّا‏ ٥٥ 

And mention in the Book, Ishmael. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet.

And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and zakāh and was to his Lord pleasing [i.e., accepted by Him].

[Al-Quran 19:54-55, Translation: Saheeh International]

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* Age of Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام): 

According to The Quran, Surah as-Saffaat, Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) was given the glad tidings of  a forbearing son (Q37:101 فَبَشَّرۡنٰهُ بِغُلٰمٍ حَلِيۡمٍ‏)** after his migration (Q38:99 وَقَالَ اِنِّىۡ ذَاهِبٌ اِلٰى رَبِّىۡ سَيَهۡدِيۡنِ‏), and prayer for a righteous son (Q38:100 رَبِّ هَبۡ لِىۡ مِنَ الصّٰلِحِيۡنَ‏).  

The Quran, Surah as-Saffaat, also states that the son at the time of the sacrifice dream was old enough to work with his father (Q37:102 فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعۡىَ قَالَ يٰبُنَىَّ اِنِّىۡۤ اَرٰى فِى الۡمَنَامِ اَنِّىۡۤ اَذۡبَحُكَ فَانْظُرۡ مَاذَا تَرٰى​ؕ قَالَ يٰۤاَبَتِ افۡعَلۡ مَا تُؤۡمَرُ​ سَتَجِدُنِىۡۤ اِنۡ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ مِنَ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَ‏ ). Boys can start lifting weights as early as the age of seven or eight years, but ideally by the age twelve or thirteen, the age of puberty. 

According to The Quran, Surah as-Saffaat, after the attempted sacrifice (Q37:103), Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) was given the glad tidings of  a prophet by the name of Isaac (Ishaq عليه السلام) (Q37:112 وَبَشَّرۡنٰهُ بِاِسۡحٰقَ نَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصّٰلِحِيۡنَ‏), and that they were blessed (Q37:113 وَبٰرَكۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَعَلٰٓى اِسۡحٰقَ​ؕ وَ مِنۡ ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا مُحۡسِنٌ وَّظَالِمٌ لِّنَفۡسِهٖ مُبِيۡنٌ​‏). We know about his son Jacob / Israel (Yaqub عليه السلام) , his son Joseph (Yusuf عليه السلام), and from the Bani Israel: Moses (Musa عليه السلام) and Aaron (Haroon عليه السلام). It is a matter of fact that there was a continuous line of prophets among their descendants till Messenger Jesus (Isa عليه السلام). 

According to The Bible, the age difference between Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) and Isaac (Ishaq عليه السلام) was fourteen years. 

At the age of seventy-six, Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) was granted Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) through Hagar (Bibi Hajra رضي الله عنها). 

At the age of one hundred, Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) was granted Isaac (Ishaq عليه السلام) through Sarah (Bibi Sara رضي الله عنها).  

So, assuming the good news about Isaac (Ishaq عليه السلام) was given immediately after the attempted sacrifice of the first born: Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام), who was only son at the time, , the Age of Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) was most probably twelve or thirteen years at the time he and his father attempted to carry out the dream that Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) had seen. 

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** Haleem (حَلِيۡمٍ‏):  

According to The Quran, Surah as-Saffaat, Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) was given the glad tidings of  a forbearing son (Q37:101 فَبَشَّرۡنٰهُ بِغُلٰمٍ حَلِيۡمٍ‏). 

Allah meant to test father and son. What they were asked to do was unthinkable and unspeakable. It required immense faith, love and trust in Allah to even consider the request. It required even more to submit to it. It required forbearance. One of the attributes of Allah is Haleem (حَلِيمٌ), generally translated as Most Forbearing. The word 'forbearing' implies patience and restraint.  

Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) was also forbearing (Q11:75). 

Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) was also forbearing (Q37:101). 

These two persons were already divinely equipped with the quality most required to submit to such a dream. 

Search results for forbearing https://corpus.quran.com/search.jsp?q=forbearing 

Quran dictionary for root - ح ل م : https://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=Hlm 

 ...

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Also read: 

Humans & The Human Condition 

Ignorant of The Law of Sacrifice 

Forehead / جَبِين 

The Possessors of The Stone & Hijr-e-Ismail 

Seventy Men & The Torah in Seventy Languages 

The Ancient House 

Muhammad ﷺ, a Messenger like Moses: The Qibla 

Maroof & Munkar 

Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام), the excellent example 

The Quran, the Pharaoh, Exodus and the Promised Day! 

...

Lat updated on: June 14, 2024

Guarding Prayers & The Middle Prayer

The following is an excerpt from a longer post titled: The Sustainer of the Worlds (رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ)

Establishing Prayer

Q98:5 lists establishing prayer as one of the key commands of the right religion. Surah alMomineen (The Believers) and alMa’arij (The Ways of Ascent) list the salient characteristics of the believers. One of the characteristics is that they are those who guard their prayers (root: ص ل و): 

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ

And they who carefully maintain their prayers -

[Al-Quran 23:9, Translator: Saheeh International]

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ

And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer:

[Al-Quran 70:34, Translator: Saheeh International]

The Middle Prayer & The Declining Sun

حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ

فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ فَرِجَالًا أَوْ رُكْبَانًا فَإِذَا أَمِنتُمْ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَمَا عَلَّمَكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْلَمُونَ

Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.

And if you fear [an enemy, then pray] on foot or riding. But when you are secure, then remember Allah [in prayer], as He has taught you that which you did not [previously] know.

[Al-Quran 2:238-239, Translator: Saheeh International]

According to the ayah from Surah alBaqarah quoted above, Muslims are required to especially guard the middle prayers. Late afternoon is a very busy time for most people across most businesses and professions. There is debate regarding whether Asr (the late afternoon prayer) is or not the middle prayer. 

Prayer Timings

As we read in Surah alIsra: 

سُنَّةَ مَن قَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَا وَلَا تَجِدُ لِسُنَّتِنَا تَحْوِيلًا   

أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ وَقُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا

وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ عَسَىٰ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا

وَقُل رَّبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَاجْعَل لِّي مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلْطَانًا نَّصِيرًا

[That is Our] established way for those We had sent before you of Our messengers; and you will not find in Our way any alteration.

Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur'an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.

And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.

And say, "My Lord, cause me to enter a sound entrance and to exit a sound exit and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority."

[Al-Quran 17:77-80, Translator: Saheeh International]

Prayer Timings of the People of the Book

Notice in Q17:77, it is stated that it is the ‘established way’ and that there is never any change or alteration in it. I understand that this ayat is linked with the ayaat preceding and following it. So, the people of the Book must have also been enjoined prayers similarly. In Daniel we read:

¹⁰ And Daniel, when he hath known that the writing is signed, hath gone up to his house, and the window being opened for him, in his upper chamber, over-against Jerusalem, three times in a day he is kneeling on his knees, and praying, and confessing before his God, because that he was doing [it] before this.

[The Bible, Daniel 6:10, Translation: Young’s Literal Translation]

The Jews believe they are required to pray thrice daily as a practice received from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Christians also identify three to seven times of prayers from the scriptures, even though they believe they are not ‘duty-bound’ to pray them.   

Solomon & the Missed Prayer  

The Quran, Surah Saad, relates the loss Prophet-King Solomon suffered due to his negligence of the  prayer, his repentance and how his repentance was accepted, appreciated and magnificently rewarded:

وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُودَ سُلَيْمَانَ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ

إِذْ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْعَشِيِّ الصَّافِنَاتُ الْجِيَادُ

فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَحْبَبْتُ حُبَّ الْخَيْرِ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّي حَتَّىٰ تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ

رُدُّوهَا عَلَيَّ فَطَفِقَ مَسْحًا بِالسُّوقِ وَالْأَعْنَاقِ

وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا سُلَيْمَانَ وَأَلْقَيْنَا عَلَىٰ كُرْسِيِّهِ جَسَدًا ثُمَّ أَنَابَ

قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَهَبْ لِي مُلْكًا لَّا يَنبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِي إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

فَسَخَّرْنَا لَهُ الرِّيحَ تَجْرِي بِأَمْرِهِ رُخَاءً حَيْثُ أَصَابَ

وَالشَّيَاطِينَ كُلَّ بَنَّاءٍ وَغَوَّاصٍ

وَآخَرِينَ مُقَرَّنِينَ فِي الْأَصْفَادِ

هَٰذَا عَطَاؤُنَا فَامْنُنْ أَوْ أَمْسِكْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَآبٍ

And We blessed David with Solomon—what an excellent servant ˹he was˺! Indeed, he ˹constantly˺ turned ˹to Allah˺.

˹Remember˺ when the well-trained, swift horses were paraded before him in the evening*.

He then proclaimed, “I am truly in love with ˹these˺ fine things out of remembrance for my Lord,” until they** went out of sight.

˹He ordered,˺ “Bring them back to me!” Then he began to rub down*** their legs and necks.

And indeed, We tested Solomon, placing a ˹deformed˺ body on his throne, then he turned ˹to Allah in repentance˺.

He prayed, “My Lord! Forgive me, and grant me an authority that will never be matched by anyone after me. You are indeed the Giver ˹of all bounties˺.”

So We subjected to him the wind, blowing gently at his command to wherever he pleased.

And ˹We subjected to him˺ every builder and diver of the jinn,

and others bound together in chains.

˹Allah said,˺ “This is Our gift, so give or withhold ˹as you wish˺, never to be called to account.”

And he will indeed have ˹a status of˺ closeness to Us and an honourable destination!

[Al-Quran 38:30-40, Translator: Dr Mustafa Khattab]

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And to David We gave Solomon. An excellent servant, indeed he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah ].

[Mention] when there were exhibited before him in the afternoon* the poised [standing] racehorses.

And he said, "Indeed, I gave preference to the love of good [things] over the remembrance of my Lord until the sun** disappeared into the curtain [of darkness]."

[He said], "Return them to me," and set about striking*** [their] legs and necks.

And We certainly tried Solomon and placed on his throne a body; then he returned.

He said, "My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower."

So We subjected to him the wind blowing by his command, gently, wherever he directed,

And [also] the devils [of jinn] - every builder and diver

And others bound together in shackles.

[We said], "This is Our gift, so grant or withhold without account."

And indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return. 
[Al-Quran 38:30-40, Translator: Saheeh International]

* بِالْعَشِيِّ words with the same root are mostly translated as night / evening, and only in this ayat as afternoon by some translators. Compare different ayaat's translation here.  Compare 50+ English translations of ayat 31 here.  

** حَتَّىٰ تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ does not contain the word sun, but translators assume it from the context. Compare 50+ English translations here.  
*** مَسْحًا means to wipe or gently pass hand, not strike. So I understand that this ayat is stating that he resumed enjoying the horses in spite of realising that the prayer had been missed. Note that the very next ayat states that it was after he was tried that he returned and repented. Compare 50+ English translations here. 

In a State of Loss

Asr is the name of the late afternoon Muslim prayer. Surah alAsr warns us:

وَالْعَصْرِ

إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ

إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ 

By the declining day,

Lo! man is a state of loss,

Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.

[Al-Quran 103:1-3, Translator: Pickthal]

How to Guard Prayers when in Danger

Surah anNisa elaborates on Q2:239 regarding guarding prayers even when in danger. It allows shortening prayer if there is fear of being attacked:

وَإِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَقْصُرُوا مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ إِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَن يَفْتِنَكُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنَّ الْكَافِرِينَ كَانُوا لَكُمْ عَدُوًّا مُّبِينًا

4:102   وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ الصَّلَاةَ فَلْتَقُمْ طَائِفَةٌ مِّنْهُم مَّعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ فَإِذَا سَجَدُوا فَلْيَكُونُوا مِن وَرَائِكُمْ وَلْتَأْتِ طَائِفَةٌ أُخْرَىٰ لَمْ يُصَلُّوا فَلْيُصَلُّوا مَعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا حِذْرَهُمْ وَأَسْلِحَتَهُمْ وَدَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْ تَغْفُلُونَ عَنْ أَسْلِحَتِكُمْ وَأَمْتِعَتِكُمْ فَيَمِيلُونَ عَلَيْكُم مَّيْلَةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِن كَانَ بِكُمْ أَذًى مِّن مَّطَرٍ أَوْ كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ أَن تَضَعُوا أَسْلِحَتَكُمْ وَخُذُوا حِذْرَكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا

فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ الصَّلَاةَ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ فَإِذَا اطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا

وَلَا تَهِنُوا فِي ابْتِغَاءِ الْقَوْمِ إِن تَكُونُوا تَأْلَمُونَ فَإِنَّهُمْ يَأْلَمُونَ كَمَا تَأْلَمُونَ وَتَرْجُونَ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَرْجُونَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا

When ye travel through the earth, there is no blame on you if ye shorten your prayers, for fear the Unbelievers May attack you: For the Unbelievers are unto you open enemies.

When thou (O Messenger) art with them, and standest to lead them in prayer, Let one party of them stand up (in prayer) with thee, Taking their arms with them: When they finish their prostrations, let them Take their position in the rear. And let the other party come up which hath not yet prayed - and let them pray with thee, Taking all precaution, and bearing arms: the Unbelievers wish, if ye were negligent of your arms and your baggage, to assault you in a single rush. But there is no blame on you if ye put away your arms because of the inconvenience of rain or because ye are ill; but take (every) precaution for yourselves. For the Unbelievers Allah hath prepared a humiliating punishment.

When ye pass (Congregational) prayers, celebrate Allah's praises, standing, sitting down, or lying down on your sides; but when ye are free from danger, set up Regular Prayers: For such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times.

And slacken not in following up the enemy: If ye are suffering hardships, they are suffering similar hardships; but ye have Hope from Allah, while they have none. And Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.

 [Al-Quran4:101-104, Translator: Saheeh International]

And Allah knows best!

May Allah guide us all. 

--------

Please also read https://islamqa.info/en/129636  

Reposted with corrections 

Last updated on: May 22, 2024

Hadith

Question:If my recall is correct, there are over 40 volumes of hadith. how does one know which are inspired and which are not?
Answer: Difficult, if not impossible, indeed. Even the Sahih Hadith collection (that which scholars narrow down as the only reliable ones) contain contradictions.
The best thing to do is perhaps check it with the Quran, if it is consistent with the message, then its probably reliable.
I don't know... scholars do attach a lot of importance to it, as they say that it is compulsory to obey the Prophet. My position is that the Prophet brought the Quran and asked us to follow it. Why not concentrate on that? The breadth and scope of the Quran is quite extensive, and every re-read adds to understanding. Besides, if we can just folllow the edicts in it, won't we be following the Prophet as he was the ideal and exemplary follower of the Quran?
The Prophet Muhammad has been directed in the Quran to follow the 'hadith' of Prophet Abraham. There was no written record of that. I understand that the concept is to follow the essence of their purity of faith, worshipping solely the only God, and submitting willingly and completely. The Quran contains many broad guidelines and just following them would make anyone an ideal human being.
Moreover, we have been directed to not to try and make religion difficult. There are examples of the Bani Israel (Jews) in the Quran where they asked so many unneccessary questions that they made practice of their religion more and more difficult for themselves. If my religion is good and easy and based upon common sense and a healthy conscience, why complicate it? After all, religion is for all human beings in all sorts of situations all over the globe, not just for a privileged few.
May Allah guide me and correct me where I may be wrong,

Allah is not the moon-god!

The article posted on Fri Dec 12, 2008 contained some serious mis-information regarding Allah and Islam. Please find below
1. Verses from the Holy Quran directly answering the allegation that Allah was moon-god, and laat, manaat and uzza were his daughters
2. Verses from the Holy Quran regarding Prophet Abraham, and the Jewish and Christian faith
3. History of how, when and by whom was the crescent adopted as a symbol
Holy Quran Chapter 41
37 And of His portents are the night and the day and the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or the moon; but prostrate to Allah Who created them, if it is in truth Him Whom ye worship.

Holy Quran Chapter 53:
19 Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza,

20 And another, the third (goddess), Manat?
21 What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female?
22 Behold, such would be indeed a division most unfair!
23 These are nothing but names which ye have devised,- ye and your fathers,- for which Allah has sent down no authority (whatever). They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire!- Even though there has already come to them Guidance from their Lord!


And who forsaketh the religion of abraham save him who befooleth himself? Verily We chose him in the world, and lo! in the Hereafter he is among the righteous. ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #130)

The same did abraham enjoin upon his sons, and also Jacob, (saying): O my sons! Lo! Allah hath chosen for you the (true) religion; therefore die not save as men who have surrendered (unto Him). ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #132)

And they say: Be Jews or Christians, then ye will be rightly guided. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Nay, but (we follow) the religion of abraham, the upright, and he was not of the idolaters. ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #135)

Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #136)

O People of the Scripture! Why will ye argue about abraham, when the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye then no sense? ( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #65)

Lo! those of mankind who have the best claim to abraham are those who followed him, and this Prophet and those who believe (with him); and Allah is the Protecting Guardian of the believers. ( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #68)

Say (O Muhammad): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and that which was vouchsafed unto Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. ( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #84)

Say: Allah speaketh truth. So follow the religion of abraham, the upright. He was not of the idolaters. ( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #95)

Which Hadith should we follow?

Q: Which Hadith should we follow? Does Quran say anything about this? Does it say we have to follow Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidi etc? If not then why are we following these books?

A: In the Quran, our dear Prophet Muhammad is ordered to follow the hadith of Hazrat Ibrahim. There neither was nor is any written hadith of Hazrat Ibrahim. As mentioned in the Quran, Hazrat Ibrahim was a 'hanif' and submitted totally to Allah's commands, so did Hazrat Muhammad. And as Hazrat Muhammad's life was complete obedience of the Quran, so his hadith for us to follow is complete obedience of the Quran. Quran itself begins with Alif Lam Meem The book in which there is no doubt. It is a guidance for Muttaqieen. Those who….
Then how can we take a doubtful book(s) [ ie the hadith books] for guidance?
Oh Allah,ehdinas sirat al mustaqeem. Amen.