Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/77

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THE BOOK OF PRAYER
57

his prayer in this mosque of mine, except the obligatory prayers."'—Abú Dáud, At Tirmidhí.

It is related from Áyesha that, 'The Prophet said, "Dost thou know, O ʿÁyesha, what (excellence) is in this night, namely the night of the half (month) after Shʿabán (i.e., the fifteenth of Ramadan)?" She replied, "What is in it, O Apostle of God?" He said, "In it all those born of the sons of Adam in the current year are written down, and in it all those who are to die of the sons of Adam in the current year are written down, and in it their actions are taken up, and in it their daily subsistence is sent down." She replied, "O Apostle of God. do none enter heaven, except by the mercy of God most High?" He said three times, "None enter heaven, except by the mercy of God most High." I said, "Not even thou, O Apostle of God?" Then he placed his hand on his head and said, "Not even I, except that God cover me with His mercy." This he said three times.'—Al Baihaqi.

It is related from ʿAlí that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When it is the night of the half (month) after Shʿabán then remain standing (in prayer) the night thereof, and fast during the day thereof, for verily God most High sends down on that night at the setting of the sun to the heavens surrounding the earth and says, 'Is there no one to ask forgiveness, that I may forgive him; and is there no one seeking food, that I may provide for him; and is there no one in affliction, that I may relieve him? And is there such-and-such?'—until the day breaks."'—Ibn Májah.

Concerning the Morning Prayers

It is related from Muʿádhah that she said, 'I asked ʿÁyesha, "How many rakʿahs did the Apostle of God perform at the morning prayers?" She replied, "Four rakʿahs, and he also exceeded that, according to the will of God."'—Muslim.

It is related from Buraidah that he said, 'I heard the Apostle of God say, "There are three hundred and sixty joints in a man, therefore it is his duty to give alms for each joint of them." They replied, "And who is able to do that, O Prophet of God?" He said, "Bury the phlegm which falls in the mosque, and remove anything from the road, and if thou dost