Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 93

Excellence of Walking Solemnly (Towards the Mosque) to Perform As-Salat (The Prayer) and Other Religious Duties

باب الندب إلى إتيان الصلاة والعلم ونحوهما من العبادات بالسكينة والوقار

This short chapter is about coming to prayer, and to other acts of worship, with calm and composure rather than haste. Even our pace and manner as we approach worship can carry dignity and reverence.

The two reports make one point from two angles: do not rush to the prayer even when it has begun, since walking toward it already counts as worship, and there is no real virtue in hurrying. A settled, unhurried bearing befits drawing near to Allah.

Hadith 703

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ “إذا أقيمت الصلاة، فلا تأتوها وأنتم تسعون، وأتوها وأنتم تمشون، وعليكم السكينة، فما أدركتم فصلوا، وما فاتكم فأتموا” ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ زاد مسلم في رواية له‏:‏ ‏ "‏فإن أحدكم إذا كان يعمد إلى الصلاة فهو في صلاة‏" ‏‏.‏

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "When the Iqamah are pronounced, do not come to it running, you should walk calmly with tranquillity to join the congregation. Then join in what you catch for and complete what you miss." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. In Muslim it is added: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "For when one of you is walking for Salat, he is, in fact, engaged in Salat."

In plain words

When the call to stand for prayer is given, do not rush in; walk calmly, join what you reach, and complete what you missed, for walking toward prayer is already part of it. Approach worship with composure.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 703 In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 24

Hadith 704

Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:

وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما أنه دفع مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يوم عرفة فسمع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وراءه زجراً شديداً وضرباً وصوتاً للإبل، فأشار بسوطه إليهم وقال‏:‏ “أيها الناس عليكم بالسكينة فإن البر ليس بالإيضاع‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري، وروى مسلم بعضه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

I accompanied the Prophet (ﷺ) while we were returning from 'Arafat. Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard behind him a loud noise of beating and of driving the camels forcibly. He pointed towards it with his whip and said, "O people! Proceed calmly. No virtue lies in rushing." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

Hearing people crowding and driving their camels roughly, the Prophet told them to move calmly, for there is no virtue in rushing. A settled manner is better even in a crowd.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 704 In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 25