Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/82

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SELECTIONS FROM MUḤAMMADAN TRADITIONS

another to rise from his seat and sitting therein himself.' It was said to Náfiʿ, 'Does this refer to Friday prayers?' He replied, 'To Friday prayers, and to others also.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.

It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿOmar that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Three classes of people come to Friday prayers: the man who comes to them indulging in idle talk, and that is his reward therefrom; the man who comes in order to make supplication, and he is a man who asks of God, and if He wills He gives him his request, and if He wills He refuses it; and the man who comes to prayers in quietness and silence, and does not mark the neck of a Muslim nor inconvenience any one, and this is an atonement (for his sins) until the Friday which follows, and for three days longer, because God says, "He who comes with one good action, will receive ten like unto it."'—Abú Dáud.

It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who speaks on Friday whilst the leader of the prayers is delivering his address, is like an ass which carries books; and whoever says to him, 'Be silent!' will not have performed acceptable Friday prayers."'—Aḥmad.

On the Public Address and Prayers

It is related from Jábir bin Samurah that he said, 'The Prophet made two public addresses (at the Friday prayers), and he used to sit between them and recite the Qurʾán and admonish the people. And his prayers were of medium length, and his address was of medium length.'—Muslim.

It is related from ʿAmmár that he said, 'I heard the Apostle of God say, "Verily the length of a man's prayers and the brevity of his public address are signs of his understanding. Therefore lengthen the prayers, and shorten the public address. Verily in rhetoric is deception."'—Muslim.

It is related from Jábir bin Samurah that he said, 'The Prophet used to give the public address standing. Then he would sit down, then he would rise up and deliver the second address standing. Whoever tells thee that he used to deliver the address sitting has lied, for by God! I prayed with the Prophet more than two thousand prayers.'—Muslim.