Be Calm..
Congregational Prayers’ Reward Is Still There
Translated by
Shazwani Mohd Ismail (PI-Gen’s translator)
From an
article entitled “Tenanglah… Pahala Solat Berjemaah Masih Ada”
Originally
written by Ustaz Abdullah Hamzah (Lecturer at Institut Pendidikan Guru, Kampus
Pendidikan Islam, Bandar Baru Bangi)
Source : Majalah IMAN! : Issue No.18, (January 2013), page 62~63.
We often observe people
running into the mosque because they are late for prayers, especially when they
hear Imam almost finishing his reading and nearly perform ruku’.
Sometimes
this situation becomes even worse if they drove to the mosque. For that purpose
of chasing after the congregational prayer, they simply park their vehicles to
be as near to the mosque as possible. Even worse there are people who park
their vehicle exactly in front of the stairway to the mosque, obstructing other
people’s walkway into the mosque.
Even
I myself faced this situation before, right after the Subuh prayer, whereby a
few more people and I needed to be in a hurry for work had to dig and search
for our slippers which were under the car parked right in front of the
doorsteps of the mosque. We even had to step on other people’s slippers.
This
situation happens because there are still many people out there who are
unethical upon coming to mosques, even though it has been clearly explained by
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In a hurry to go after the raka’ats does not only
happen in Malaysia. Way back when I was in Arab, the scenario was even worse.
Upon
reaching inside of the mosque as the Imam was in the ruku’ position, there are
some ignorant Muslims who raised takbir at the door of the mosque and walk in
the ruku’ position into the saf. This is an outrageous way and it simply
portrays how Muslims should learn more about the Prophet’s (PBUH) sunnah in
performing their daily worships.
Ethics and manners
Islam is a religion full
of ethics and manners in every aspect inclusive of this situation. Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) had clearly guided us regarding manners to the mosque. A
hadith, narrated by Abu Hurairah : The Prophet said, “When you hear the
iqamah, proceed to offer the prayer with calmness and solemnity and do not make
haste. And pray whatever you are able to pray and complete whatever you have
missed.” [Al-Bukhari: 117 & Muslim: 602]
There are also hadith
describing manners in the mosque. Abu Qatadah says: “We were praying with
Prophet (PBUH) when we heard the clamouring of some men. When they had prayed,
the Prophet (PBUH) inquired: „What was the matter with you?‟ They answered: „We
were hurrying for the solah.‟ He said: „Do not do that.. When you come to solah
come in peace and calm, and pray with what you can with congregation and
complete what you have missed.” [Al-Bukhari: 599 & Muslim: 603]
These
two hadiths define and guide clearly regarding the ethics and the right manners
to the mosque for congregational prayers. When a Muslim takes leave from their
house to the mosque, it is a must to be calm and khusyu’ during prayers.
Therefore it must be done properly and very particular.
If
a Muslim is in hurry and in the state of panting to the mosque, it for sure
will affect the quality of performing the prayer. Allah is Omniscient, knows
the condition and situation of His sincere slaves who come for congregational
prayers. The intention of them coming for congregational prayers had been noted
with reward, even though they are late.
Just
take for instance, the way Rasulullah (PBUH) reprimanded sahabah, who was in a
hurry for the congregational prayer. He reprimanded immediately after the
prayer, showed that it is significant for every Muslim to offer their manners.
For the sake of hurrying for the raka’at of solah, many ethics and manners are
neglected and ruined.
What
is in the rush when Rasulullah (PBUH) had made it clear that we should be calm
upon attending to solah? Be reminded that ‘no need to rush’ here does not mean
that we are eligible to delay solah.
Obstacles
In reality, there are still a few jamaah who
neglects both hadiths. There are still many running into the mosque upon seeing
the Imam is nearing to the ruku’ position. Even worse, those with vehicles tend
to simply park their vehicles at the steps of the mosque or even blocking the
entrance which obstruct other jamaah.
They come to mosque
for congregational prayer expecting a huge reward from Allah, unfortunately
obstructing others at the same time. This situation can affect the reward
obtained.
Based on
these two hadiths, it can be concluded that there are several important things
during congregational prayers that need to be noted
- · Prepare early, and if possible reach the mosque early or before azan.
- · Walk to the mosque in peace.
- · If driving, do not speed. Abide to the law and ethics of driving.
- · Place your vehicle at the designated areas. Do not park at the walkway or doorways to the mosque which can obstruct others. Normally this happens when they purposely park their vehicles at the mosque’s steps to run after the raka’ats without realizing their action has caused difficulties to others.
- · Upon reaching the mosque where the solah has begun, no need to rush into the saf, just walk peacefully. Need not be in a hurry. Those being pictured by Rasululllah (PBUH) as narrated, can easily be understood that the rewards is similar to those who managed to complete the solah perfectly. Allah Almighty knows His slave the best.
Glossary:
ruku’ – a position in
prayers whereby the person needs to bow their body to a 90° position, placing
palms on the knees
solah - prayer
raka’at – the number of
count to complete a cycle of solah
saf – a row of people
standing during congregational prayer
iqamah – a second call for
solah and is uttered immediately before the beginning of the
obligatory solah
khusyu’ – the softest of
the heart; being gentle, still, submissive & yearning
sahabah - the companions
of Prophet Muhammah (PBUH), who had met and seen him while in the state of
iman, and died in that state
jamaah – group of people
performing solah
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