Mahzarnama (The Memorandum) — Page 17
Mahzarnama 17 A man from among the people of Najd, with dishevelled hair, came to see the Holy Prophet sa. We could hear the hum of his conversation but could not capture what he said until he drew closer and we could hear him asking the Holy Prophet sa about Islam. The Holy Prophet sa replied, "Five daily prayers are appointed which span the day and night. " At which he enquired, "Are there other (prayers) in addition to these (five)?" The Holy Prophet sa replied, "No, unless of course you wish to offer some more as super-erogatory," and further added, "You should observe fasting in the month of Ramadhan. " At this, he enquired, "Is there any other obligatory fasting besides that in Ramadhan?" The Holy Prophet sa replied, "No, unless you wish to observe it in super-erogation. " Then the Holy Prophet sa mentioned Zakat to him, at which he asked, "Is there anything apart from it?" The Holy Prophet sa replied, "No, unless you wish to offer more in super-erogation. " Then this man got up to leave, saying, "By God! I will neither add to these injunctions, nor would I subtract anything from these. " The Holy Prophet sa commented, "If he proves himself to be true in what he just said, he will prosper. " [ Sahih Bukhari Kitab-ul-Iman Bab Al-Zakaat min al Islam) One who observes the same prayer as we do, faces the same