Abu Said said God’s Messenger used to sacrifice a choice, horned ram with black round the eyes, the mouth and the feet. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Mujashi', who belonged to the B. Sulaim, said that God’s Messenger used to say, "A lamb may be given as full payment for that for which a kid is full payment.” Abu Dawud, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abu Huraira said he heard God’s Messenger say, "A lamb is a good sacrifice.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas said, "We were with God’s Messenger on a journey when the day of sacrifice came, and we shared with one another, seven for a cow and ten for a camel.” Tirmidhi, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it, and Tirmidhi said this is a hasan gharib tradition.

‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, "On the day of sacrifice no one does a deed more pleasing to God than the shedding of blood. The sacrifice will come on the day of resurrection with its horns, its hairs and its hoofs, and the blood finds acceptance with God before it falls on the ground, so be glad about it.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, "There are no days on which God likes better to be worshipped than the ten days of Dhul Hijja. Fasting observed on each of these days is equivalent to a year’s fasting, and prayer during each of these nights is equivalent to prayer during Lailat al-qadr.’* * A night towards the end of Ramadan. See Book 7, Chap. 9. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, but Tirmidhi said its isnad is weak.

I was present at the festival on the day of sacrifice along with God’s Messenger. He had done no more than finish his prayer and give the salutation when he saw the flesh of sacrificial animals which had been sacrificed before he finished his prayer. So he said, “Anyone who has sacrificed before he prayed (or, we prayed) must sacrifice another in place of it." In a version he said: The Prophet prayed on the day of sacrifice, then delivered a sermon, then sacrificed, and he said, “Anyone who has sacrificed before he prayed (or, we prayed) must sacrifice another in place of it, and if anyone has not sacrificed he should do so in God’s name." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Nafi‘ reported Ibn ‘Umar as saying, “The festival of sacrifice lasts two days after the day of sacrifice.” Malik transmitted it, and he said he had heard something similar from ‘Alib. Abu Talib.

Ibn ‘Umar said that God’s Messenger stayed ten years in Medina, and that he used to observe the sacrifice. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Zaid b. Arqam said the companions of God’s Messenger asked him the significance of these sacrifices and he replied, “It is a custom which has come down from your father Abraham." They asked what reward they would receive for them and he replied, “For every hair you will receive a blessing." They asked about wool, and he replied, “For every strand of wool you will receive a blessing." Ahmad and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, “There is no fara’ and no ‘atira.” He said that the fara’ was the first animal born to them which they sacrificed to their idols, and the ‘atira was observed in Rajab.* * These were practices of the idolatrous pre-Islamic Arabs. While the fara' sacrifice was abolished in Islam, it is said that the sacrifice of a sheep or goat in Rajab, known as the ‘atira, was continued in the early days of Islam and then abolished. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

We were standing with God’s Messenger at ‘Arafa, and I heard him say, “O people, every family must offer annually a sacrifice and an ‘atira. Do you know what the ‘atira is? It is what you call the Rajab sacrifice.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah transmitted it. Tirmidhi said this is a gharib tradition with a weak isnad, and Abu Dawud said the ‘atira has been abrogated.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s Messenger as saying, “I have been commanded to observe the day of sacrifice as a festival which God has appointed for this people.” A man asked, “Tell me, Messenger of God, if I can get only a female camel lent for milking, am I to sacrifice it?” He replied, “No, but take some of your hair and nails, clip your moustache and shave the hair over your pubes, and that will be a complete sacrifice for you in God’s sight.” Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

‘A’isha said there was an eclipse of the sun in the time of God’s Messenger, and he sent one to summon the people to congregational prayer. He then went forward and prayed two rak'as in which he bowed four times and prostrated himself four times. ‘A’isha said, “I never performed a bow or a prostration which was longer than it.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

She said that the Prophet recited the Qur’an in a loud voice in the prayer at an eclipse. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

There was an eclipse of the sun in the time of God’s Messenger and he prayed accompanied by the people. He stood for a long time, about as long as it would take to recite Sura al- Baqara;(Al-Qur’an; 1) then he bowed for a long time; then he raised his head and stood for a long time; but it was less than the first time; then he bowed for a long time, but it was less than the first bowing; then he raised his head; then he prostrated himself; then he stood for a long time, but it was less than the first time ; then he bowed for a long time, but it was less than the first bowing; then he raised his head and stood for a long time, but it was less than the first time; then he bowed for a long time, but it was less than the first bowing; then he raised his head; then he prostrated himself; then he departed, and the sun had become bright. He said, “The sun and the moon are two of God’s signs; they are not eclipsed on account of anyone’s death or on account of anyone’s birth; 1 so when you see that, make mention of God.” The people said, “Messenger of God, we saw you reach out to something while you were standing here, then we saw you move back.” He replied, “I saw paradise and reached out to a bunch of its grapes; and had I taken it you would have eaten of it as long as the world endures. I also saw hell. No such abominable sight have I ever seen as that which I saw today; and I observed that most of its inhabitants were women." They asked why that was and he replied that it was for their ingratitude (bi-kufrihinna). He was asked whether they disbelieved in God2 and replied, “They are ungrateful to their husbands and they are ungrateful for kindness. If you were to treat one of them kindly for ever and she later saw some defect in you, she would say she had never seen any good in you." 1. Literally, life. 2. The word kufr means both ingratitude and unbelief, which explains why the remark was misunderstood. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Then he prostrated himself for a long time, then departed and the sun had become clear. He preached to the people, and after praising and extolling God he said, “The sun and the moon are two of God’s signs; they are not eclipsed on account of anyone’s death or on account of anyone's birth, so when you see that supplicate God, declare His greatness, pray and give alms." He then said, “O people of Muhammad, I swear by God that no one is more indignant than God when His servant or handmaiden commits fornication. O people of Muhammad, I swear by God that if you knew what I know you would laugh little and weep much." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

There was an eclipse of the sun, and the Prophet got up in trepidation fearing that the last hour fiad come. He then went to the mosque and prayed, standing, bowing and prostrating himself longer than I had ever seen him do. He then said, “These signs which God sends do not come on account of anyone’s death or on account of his birth, but God produces dread in His servants by means of them. So when you see anything of that nature, apply yourselves to making mention of Him, supplication of Him and asking pardon of Him." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jabir said there was an eclipse of the sun in the time of God’s Messenger on the day his son Ibrahim died. He led the people in prayer, performing six bowings and four prostrations. Muslim transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas said that when an eclipse of the sun took place, God’s Messenger prayed performing eight bowings and four prostrations. There is a similar tradition from 'Ali. Muslim transmitted it.

During the lifetime of God’s Messenger was shooting some of my arrows in Medina when an eclipse of the sun took place. I therefore threw them away and said, “I swear by God that I must see how God’s Messenger acts in a solar eclipse.” When I came to him he was standing in prayer raising his hands. He then began to glorify God, to acknowledge that He is the only God, to declare His greatness, to express His praise and make supplication till the eclipse came to an end. When the eclipse was over he recited two suras and prayed two rak'as. Muslim transmitted it in his Sahih from 'Abd ar-Rahman b. Samura, and the same occurs in Sharh as-sunna, on his authority, but in the copies of al-Masabih it is given on the authority of Jabir b. Samura.

Asma’ daughter of Abu Bakr said that during a solar eclipse the Prophet gave command that slaves should be set free. Bukhari transmitted it.

Samura b. Jundub said that God’s Messenger led them in prayer during an eclipse, but that they did not hear what he said. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

'Ikrima said that when Ibn ‘Abbas was told that a certain wife of the Prophet had died, he prostrated himself. Someone asked him why he made prostration at such a time, and he replied, “God’s Messenger told us to prostrate ourselves when we saw a sign, and what sign is greater than the departure of the Prophet's wives?” Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Ubayy b. Ka'b said that when an eclipse of the sun took place in the time of God’s Messenger he led them in prayer, reciting one of the long suras, bowing five times and prostrating himself twice. He then stood up for the second rak'a, recited one of the long suras, bowed five times, prostrated himself twice, then sat where he was facing the qibla and made supplication till the eclipse passed. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

An-Nu‘man b. Bashir said that when a solar eclipse took place in the time of God’s Messenger he began to pray a series of pairs of rak'as, making requests at the end of them till the sun became clear. Abu Dawud transmitted it. In a version by Nasa’i it says that when the sun was eclipsed the Prophet prayed as Muslims normally do, bowing and prostrating himself. Another version by him says that when a solar eclipse took place one day the Prophet went out quickly to the mosque and prayed till it cleared. Then he said, “The people in pre-Islamic times used to say that the sun and moon were eclipsed only on account of the death of a great man, but the sun and moon are not eclipsed on account of anyone’s death or on account of his birth, but they are two of God’s creatures. God produces in His creation what He wills; so when either of them is eclipsed pray till it clears or till God produces something.

(This chapter does not contain sections I and III) Abu Bakra said that when anything came to God’s Messenger which caused pleasure (or, by which he was made glad), he prostrated himself in gratitude to God most high. Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it, the latter saying this is a hasan gharib tradition.

Abu Ja'far said the Prophet saw a dwarf and prostrated himself. Daraqutni transmitted it in mursal form. Sharh as-sunna has the same wording as al-Masabih.

We went out with God’s Messenger from Mecca making for Medina, and when we were near ‘Azwaza’* he alighted, then raised his hands and made supplication to God for a time, after which he prostrated himself, remaining a long time in prostration. Then he stood up and raised his hands for a time, after which he prostrated himself, remaining a long time in prostration. Then he stood up and raised his hands for a time, after which he prostrated himself. He then said, “I begged my Lord and made intercession for my people, and He gave me a third of my people, so I prostrated myself in gratitude to my Lord. Then I raised my head and begged my Lord for my people and He gave me a third of my people, so I prostrated myself in gratitude to my Lord. Then I raised my head and begged my Lord for my people and He gave me the last third, so I prostrated myself in gratitude to my Lord.” *The name is spelt either as here with the alif mamduda, or with the alif maqsura (i.e. Azwaza). The reference is to a pass in the hills. Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Zaid said God's Messenger took the people out to the place of prayer and prayed for rain. He led them in two rak'as in the course of which he recited from the Qur'an in a loud voice. He faced the qibla making supplication, raised his hands and turned round his cloak when he faced the qibla. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas said the Prophet was not accustomed to raise his hands in any supplication he made except when praying for rain. He would then raise them high enough for the whiteness under his armpits to be visible. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He said the Prophet prayed for rain pointing the back of his hands to the sky. Muslim transmitted it.

‘A'isha told that when God's Messenger saw rain he said, “O God, send a beneficial downpour." Bukhari transmitted it.

A shower of rain fell when we were with God’s Messenger, so he removed his garment till some of the rain fell on him. We asked him why he did this, and he replied, “Because it has recently been with its Lord." Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Zaid said God’s Messenger went out to the place of prayer and prayed for rain. When he faced the qibla he turned round his cloak, putting its right side on his left shoulder and its left side on his right shoulder, then made supplication to God. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

He said God’s Messenger prayed for rain wearing a khamisa* of his. He wanted to reverse it from top to bottom, but when it was too heavy he turned it round on his shoulders. * A black square robe with ornamented borders. Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Umair client of Abul Lahm said he saw the Prophet praying for rain at Ahjar az-Zait1 near az-Zaura’,2 standing, making supplication, praying for rain and raising his hands in front of his face, but not lifting them above his head. 1. A part of Medina which is said to have got the name because of the black stones there which looked as if they had been smeared with oil. 2. A house in Medina. Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted something similar.

Ibn 'Abbas said God’s Messenger went out (i.e. to pray for rain) wearing old clothes, with a humble and lowly manner, making petition. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

'Amr b. Shu'aib, on his father’s authority, quoted his grandfather as saying that when the Prophet prayed for rain he said, "O God, provide water for Thy servants and Thy cattle, display Thy mercy and give life to Thy dead land.” Malik and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Jabir said he saw God’s Messenger raising his hands in supplication. Then he said, “O God, give us rain which will replenish us, abundant, fertilising and profitable, not injurious, granting it now without delay.” He said that thereupon the sky became overcast. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

'A’isha said the people complained to God’s Messenger of the lack of rain, so he gave orders for a pulpit, and when it was set up for him in the place of prayer he appointed a day for the people on which they should come out. ‘A’isha said God’s Messenger came out when the rim of the sun appeared and sat down on the pulpit. Having declared God’s greatness and expressed His praise, he said, “You have complained of drought in your abodes and of delay in receiving rain at the beginning of its season, but God has ordered you to supplicate Him and has promised that He would answer your prayers.” Then he said, “Praise be to God, the Lord of the universe, the Compassionate, the Merciful, the Master of the day of judgment. There is no god but God who does what He wishes. O God, Thou art God than whom there is no god, the Rich, while we are the poor. Send down rain upon us and make what Thou sendest down a strength and satisfaction for us for a time.” He then raised his hands and kept raising them till the whiteness under his armpits was visible. He then turned his back to the people and inverted (or, turned round) his cloak while keeping his hands aloft. He then faced the people, descended and prayed two rak'as. God then produced a cloud and a storm of thunder and lightning came on. Then it rained by God’s permission, and before he reached his mosque streams were flowing. When he saw the speed with which the people sought shelter he laughed till his back teeth were visible. Then he said, “I testify that God is omnipotent and that I am God’s servant and Messenger.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Anas said that when they experienced a drought ‘Umar b. al-Khattab prayed for rain by virtue of al-‘Abbas b. ‘Abd al-Muttalib, and said, "O God, we used to supplicate Thee by virtue of our prophet and Thou didst give us water. We are now supplicating Thee by virtue of our prophet’s uncle, so give us water.” He said that they were then given water. Bukhari transmitted it.

I heard God’s Messenger say that a prophet took the people out to pray for rain, and when he saw an ant raising some of its legs to the sky he said, “Return, for your prayers have been answered because of this ant.” Daraqutni transmitted it.

Winds. Ibn 'Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “I have been helped by the east wind, and ‘Ad* were destroyed by the west wind.” 1. An ancient people who were destroyed because of their rejection of the prophet Hud. Cf. Qur’an, 11:50 ff., etc. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

'A’isha said, ''I never saw God’s Messenger laugh to such an extent that I could see his uvula, he would only smile ; and when he saw clouds or wind his face showed signs [of fear].” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

She reported the Prophet as saying when the wind was stormy, "O God, I ask Thee for what is good in it, in what it contains and in what it was sent for; and I seek refuge in Thee from what is evil in it, in what it contains and in what it was sent for.” When the sky became black his colour changed and he went out and in, backwards and forwards, but when the rain came his alarm was removed. ‘A’isha noticed that and asked him about it and he replied, “Perhaps, ‘A’isha, it may be as the people of ‘Ad said. When they saw a cloud formation coming towards their valleys they said it was a cloud formation which would give them rain.” A version says that when he saw rain he would say, “Make it a blessing.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The keys of the unseen are five.” He then recited, “God has knowledge of the Hour, and He sends down the rain . . .” (Al-Qur’an; 31:34). Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Famine does not consist in your getting no rain, but it consists in your getting rain and getting more rain without the earth producing anything.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira told of his hearing God’s Messenger say, “The wind comes from God’s mercy bringing blessing and punishment, so do not revile it, but ask God for some of its good and seek refuge in Him from its evil." Shafi'i, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Baihaqi, in [Kitab] ad- da'awat al-kabir, transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas told how the Prophet said, when a man cursed the wind in his presence, "Do not curse the wind, for it is under command; if anyone curses a thing which does not deserve it, the curse will return on himself." Tirmidhi transmitted it and said this is a gharib tradition.