Project "Revive a Sunnah" Week 9

Week 9: December 1st - December 8th 2006
(10th-17th of Dhul Qa'dah 1427 AH)

The scene:
You look up at the clock as you quickly make wudu, and the clock reads: 7:24 pm. 'Isha is at 7:30 pm in the Masjid and you know it takes you five minutes to get there on a good day, and seven minutes on a busy day. You grab your jacket and yell out "AsSalaaaamu Alaikoooooooooooo..." as you run out the door. You jump in your car and peel out of the driveaway, thinking you're Micheal Schumacher or something. The race is on. In your mind, you're thinking: "OH, I don't want to miss the opening takbir, I gotta hurry up." Not thinking straight, you nearly kill yourself by running a red light. Audhubillah!

Finally, you get to the Masjid and look for a parking spot. Unfortunately, the nearest spot you find is good walk away. You look at your watch, and it reads: 7:32 pm. "OH, Nooo!" is all that comes to your mind...and then you make a run for it. You run inside the Masjid, up the stairs and into the Prayer Hall. Breathing heavily and noticing a little sweat on your forehead, you say "Allahu Akbar" and start your 'Isha prayer.

So, what are you thinking now? Ever been in a similar situation? I think we all heave. But...what did the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) teach us about proceeding to the Masjid? How should we do it? What a better way to find out than through this week's "Revive a Sunnah."

From the Ahadith:

1.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "When the Iqamah are pronounced, do not come to it running, you should walk calmly with tranquillity to join the congregation. Then join in what you catch for and complete what you miss.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
(In Muslim it is added: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "For when one of you is walking for Salat, he is, in fact, engaged in Salat.'')

2.
Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I accompanied the Prophet (PBUH) while we were returning from `Arafat. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) heard behind him a loud noise of beating and of driving the camels forcibly. He pointed towards it with his whip and said, "O people! Proceed calmly. No virtue lies in rushing.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

No doubt, life today is very fast. Everyone is rushing. While we understand the good intentions of our Muslim brothers and sisters to join the congregation hurriedly, this is often-times done in an ignorant manner. We have the best example in our Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam), and we should therefore take heed and obey him as much as we can. His (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) order to walk calmly to the prayer definitely needs reviving; Indeed, it is a sunnah that is almost completely wiped out of the ummah. May Allah help us to revive this sunnah and implement it into our lives. Ameen.

You are most welcome to direct any Feedback/Comments/Suggestions

/Nominations to albosnawi@gmail.com

May Allah reward you all.
Praise be to Allah and may the blessings be upon the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam).

Wa Salaamu Alaykoum,

Kemal Smajlovic