Life of Muhammad — Page 205
sa 205 Whenever he heard the word of God being recited, he was overcome by emotion and tears would start from his eyes, especially if he was listening to verses which emphasized his own responsibilities. ‘ Abdull a h bin Mas ‘ u d ra relates that he was on one occasion asked by the Holy Prophet sa to recite some verses of the Qur’an to him. He said: "O Messenger of Allah sa ! The Qur’an has been revealed to you (i. e. , you know it best of all). How then shall I recite it to you?" But the Holy Prophet sa said: "I love to hear it recited by other people also. " Thereupon ‘ Abdull a h bin Mas ‘ u d ra began to recite from S u rah Al-Nis a ’. When he r ecited the verse: "And how will it fare with them when We shall bring a witness from every people, and shall bring thee as a witness against them" (4: 42), the Holy Prophet sa exclaimed: ‘ Enough! Enough!" ‘ Abdull a h bin Mas‘ u d ra looked up and saw that tears were streaming from the Holy Prophet's sa eyes ( Bukh a r i , Kit a b Fa da ’ ilul Qur ’ an ). He was so particular about joining the congregational prayers that, even during severe illness when it is permissible not only to say one's prayers in one's room but even to say them lying in bed, he would go to the mosque to lead the prayers himself. On one occasion when he was unable to proceed to the mosque he directed that Ab u Bakr ra should lead the prayers. Presently however, he felt some improvement in his condition and asked to be supported into the mosque. He rested his weight on the shoulders of two men but was in so feeble a condition that, according to ‘ A ’isha ra , his feet trailed along the ground ( Bukh a r i ). It is a common practice to give expression to one's pleasure or to draw attention to any particular matter by the clapping of hands and the Arabs used to follow the same practice. The Holy Prophet sa , however, so loved the remembrance of God that for these purposes also he substituted the praise and remembrance of God in place of the clapping of hands. On one occasion while he was occupied with some important matter, the time of the next service drew near and he directed that Ab u Bakr ra