Benefits from the sittings of Silsilathul Ahadees As-Saheeha after Fajr Prayer

Obligation of Contemplating Upon the Creations in the Earth and the Heavens.

Date: 7th Rabi Al Aakhir 1445 / 22.10.23 | Hadees Number: 68

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Meaning of Hadeeth:

(Indeed, verses were revealed tonight; woe to whoever reads them and does not reflect on them: “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth” is the verse.)

1. This Hadeeth is recorded under the title "Characteristics of our Prophet (صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ)" in Sahih Ibn Hibban. The narration is authenticated to be Sahih by Imam Ibn Hibban and by Imam Al-Albani (رحمهم الله).

2. This hadeeth informs us about the revelation of the verse

إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَءَايَـٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ

"Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding"

(from Surah Ala Imran: 190)

3. Cursed are those who do not contemplate upon the revelation sent down, His mercy, blessings and the creations.

4. We can learn about the Love, affection, and cooperation of the mother of the believers, wife of our Prophet (صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ), the scholar, Aisha (رضي الله عنها) from this. She was eager to learn the deen from our Prophet and also guided the companions of the prophet by teaching what she obtained.

5. Standing in night prayer is to humble oneself and to seek the forgiveness and pleasure of Allah alone. The sunnah of crying to a great extent in prayer, obligation of contemplating upon the revelations, creations of Allah and being grateful to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى).

6. Prophet ( ) slept during the first part of the night and stood up to pray at the later portion of the night. There are many Ahadeeth with similar meanings. But they don’t indicate praying the whole night and whoever tries to prove it as such is wrong. This narration is an answer to all of them.

There is no evidence that the Prophet started his night prayer after salathul Isha and narrations prove that he slept and then stood up to pray. Shaykh Abdul Hayy Lucknawi wrote a book saying that it is not bidah to increase in ibadah (more than what has come in the sunnah) quoting this hadeeth. This is false. Another narration of Aishah (رضي الله عنها) rejects the act of praying throughout the night. Praying 3rd part of the night is the usual practice of prophet (صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) and that is proved.

7. Imam albani's criticism on shaykh Abdul Hayy Lucknawi and his book. His views are weak and are upon fabricated narrations. For instance, the hadith "My Companions are like the stars; whoever among them you use for guidance, you will be rightly guided" is weak. But this shaykh tried to grade this hadees as hasan and use it to prove his views. This shows his weak methodology in proving the knowledge.

8. Shaykh Yahya Silmy As Saylani (حفظه الله) concluded by saying: Although Shaykh Abdul Hayy Lucknawi studied under Hanafi jurisprudence, he supported the scholars of hadeeth and opposed the madhab followers. But here Shaykh Al-Albani (رحمه الله) indicated his flaws and deviated ways.

Regarding the night prayer, the Prophet (صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) used to pray at the 3rd portion of night. This was his usual practice; he used to sleep and then stand up to pray like Aaishah (رضي الله عنها) said. This is the Sunnah. There is no evidence claiming to pray the whole night. Also in the 3rd portion, he will be awake doing other acts of worship such as reading Quran, dhikr etc.

(Beneficial lessons from the 29th sitting conducting by Ash Shaykh Abu Abdur Rahman Yahya Silmy As Saylani (حفظه الله)

Book: Silsilathul Ahadees As-Saheeha

Author: Imam Muhammad Nasiruddin Al-Albani (رحمه الله)

Silsilathul Ahadees As-Saheeha Sitting 68 - Obligation of Contemplating Upon the Creations in the Earth and the Heavens.