Book 4: Prayer

Anas said that when the Prophet (ﷺ) came to Medina the people had two days on which they engaged in games. Having asked what their significance was and being told that they had engaged in games on them in the pre-Islamic period, he said, “God has substituted for them something better than them, the day of sacrifice and the day of the breaking of the fast.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Buraida said that the Prophet (ﷺ) did not go out on the day of the breaking of the fast till he had some food, but that he did not take any food on the day of sacrifice till he had prayed. Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Kathir b. ‘Abdallah on his father’s authority quoted his grandfather as saying that at the two festivals the Prophet (ﷺ) said “God is most great” seven times in the first rak'a before reciting from the Qur’an, and five times in the last one before reciting. Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Ja'far b. Muhammad told in mursal form that the Prophet, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar said “God is most great” at the two festivals and when praying for rain seven times in the first rak'a and five times in the second. They prayed before the sermon, and recited the Qur’an in a loud voice. Shafi‘i transmitted it.

Sa'id b. al-‘As said he asked Abu Musa and Hudhaifa how God’s Messenger said “God is most great” on the day of sacrifice and of the breaking of the fast. Abu Musa said he uttered it four times as he did at funerals and Hudhaifa said that that was correct. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Al-Bara’ said that the Prophet (ﷺ) was handed a bow on the day of the breaking of the fast and delivered the sermon leaning on it. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Ata’ told in mursal form that when the Prophet (ﷺ) preached he would lean on his javelin. Shafi'i transmitted it.

Jabir said: On a festival day when I was present at the prayer along with the Prophet (ﷺ) he first observed the prayer without adhan or iqama before the sermon. Then when he finished the prayer he stood up leaning on Bilal, praised and extolled God, gave the people an exhortation and an admonition and urged them to obey Him. He then went to the women, taking Bilal with him, commanded them to fear God and gave them an exhortation and an admonition. Nasa'i transmitted it.

Abu Huraira said that when the Prophet (ﷺ) went out by one road on the festival day he returned by another. Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it.

He said that rain fell on a festival day and the Prophet (ﷺ) led them in the festival prayer in the mosque. Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abul Huwairith said that God’s Messenger wrote to ‘Amr b. Hazm when he was in Najran telling him to observe the prayer early on the day of sacrifice and late on the day of the breaking of the fast, and to admonish the people. Shafi'i transmitted it.

Abu ‘Umair b. Anas told on the authority of some of his paternal uncles who were companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) that some men came riding to the Prophet (ﷺ) and testified that they had seen the new moon the previous day. He therefore commanded the people to break the fast and go out to their place of prayer in the morning. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.