Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/68

48 It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin Umm Maktúm that he said, 'O Apostle of God, in the city are many venomous reptiles and rapacious animals, and I am blind. Wilt thou, therefore, obtain a concession for me (to say prayers at home)?' He replied, 'Dost thou hear the call, "Come to prayers! come to salvation!' He said, 'Yes.' The Prophet replied, 'Then come at once.' And he did not give him a concession.—Abú Dáud, An Nasái.

It is related from Abú Músáuʾl-Ashʿari that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Two people, or any greater number, constitute an assembly for prayers."'—Ibn Májah.

It is related from Nuʿmán bin Bashír that he said, 'The Apostle of God used to dress our ranks so that they looked as if he had made them straight as arrows. This he did until he saw that we had understood the matter. After this he came out on a certain day and stood up until it was near the time for repeating the words, "God is great'." Then he saw a man whose breast projected from the rank, and said, "O servants of God, you must keep your ranks even, otherwise God will certainly make a difference in your faces."'—Muslim.

It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The best rank of men is the first of them, and the worst of them is the last. And the best rank of women is the last of them, and the worst of them is the first rank."'—Muslim.

It is related from Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Arrange your ranks, and keep close together between them. Keep the necks in line, for, by Him in whose hand is my life! I certainly see Satan enter through an opening in the ranks, as if he were a kid."'—Abú Dáud.

It is related from Samurah bin Jundub that he said, 'The Apostle of God commanded us that when we were three persons (for prayer), one of us should stand in front (as leader).'—At Tirmidhí.

It is related from ʿÁyesha that she said, 'The Apostle of God prayed in his room, and the people followed him from behind the room.'—Abú Dáud.