Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/49

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THE BOOK OF PRAYER
29

morning, I came to the Apostle of God and informed him of what I had seen. He said, "Verily this is a true vision, if God will; therefore stand up with Bilál and teach him what thou hast seen, and Jet him make the call to prayer in accordance with it, for he is of stronger voice than thou." So I stood up with Bilál, and began to teach him; and he made the call to prayer in that way. And ʿOmar binuʾl-Khaṭṭáb heard of that when he was in his house, and he came out, dragging his mantle and saying, "O Apostle of God, by Him who hath sent thee with the truth, verily I have seen (a vision) similar to that which was shown him." Then the Apostle of God said, "Praise be to God."'—Abu Dáud, Al Ḍárimi, Ibn Májah.

It is related from Málik that information reached him that, the one who called to prayers went to ʿOmar to call him to the morning prayer and found him sleeping. So he said, 'Prayer is better than sleep.' Then ʿOmar ordered him to include these words in the call to morning prayer.—In Al Muwaṭṭa.

It is related from ʿAbduʾr-Ráḥmán bin Saʿd bin ʿAmmár bin Saʿd the caller-to-prayer of the Apostle of God that he said, 'My father informed me that he heard his father say from his grandfather that the Apostle of God ordered Bilál to put his fingers in his ears, and said, "It will raise thy voice."'—Ibn Májah.

On the Excellence of the Call to Prayer

It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿAmru binuʾl-ʿÁṣ that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When ye hear the caller-to-prayer, then say the same as he says. Then pray for blessings on me, for verily, whoever prays for blessings on me, God will bless him ten times for it. Then ask God for favour for me, and that is a station in paradise. This is not fitting for any but one of the servants of God, and I hope that I shall be that one. And whoever asks (this) favour for me, intercession will be available for him."'—Muslim.

It is related from Anas that he said, 'The Prophet used to go in quest of plunder, and when the morning dawned he used to listen for the call to prayer; and if he heard the call to prayer he would withhold, otherwise he plundered. And he heard a man calling, "God is great, God is great," and the Apostle of God