Gardens of the Righteous — Page 29
RIYADH AS-SALIHIN 29 98. Ayesha relates: the Holy Prophet stood so long during his voluntary. Prayer at night that the skin of his feet would crack; so I said to him: Messenger of. Allah, why do you stand so long in Prayer when Allah has suppressed in you in the past and for the the future all inclination towards sin? He answered: Then should I not wish to be a grateful servant of Allah? (Bokhari and Muslim). 99. Ayesha relates: During the last ten days of Ramadhan the Holy. . Prophet would keep awake the whole night and would urge the members of his family to do the same, all occupying themselves with the worship of Allah. He girded up his loins and devoted himself entirely to prayer and supplication (Bokhari and Muslim). 100. Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet said: A strong believer is better and more loved by Allah than a weak one. Out of all good things desire that which is most beneficial for you. Keep imploring Allah for help and do not give up. Should you be afflicted in any way, do not say: Had I only done this and that things would have turned out so and so; but say only: Allah so determined and did as He willed. The phrase: Had I only; opens the gates of evil conduct (Muslim). 101. Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet said: Hell lies hidden behind evil desires and Paradise is screened by hard striving (Bokhari). 102. Huzaifah ibn Yaman relates: One night I joined the Holy Prophet in his voluntary Prayer. He began the recitation of sura Al-Baqarah. I thought he would go into ruku' after reciting a hundred verses but he continued the recitation. Then I thought he would complete its recitation in one raka'a but he continued his recitation and then began to recite sura Al-Nisa and thereafter sura Al-'Imran. His recitation was unhurried. When he recited a verse which mentioned glorification of God, he glorified Him, where supplication was mentioned he supplicated, and where seeking protection was mentioned he sought protection. Then he went into ruku' and began repeating: Holy is my. Lord, the Great; and his ruku'was almost as long as his qiyam. Then he recited:. Allah hears him who praises Him. Thine is the praise O Lord. He then stood up and his qiyam was as long as his ruku'. He then went into prostration and recited: Holy is my Lord, the High; and his prostration was like his qiyam (Muslim). 103. Ibn Mas'ud relates: One night I joined the Holy Prophet in his voluntary Prayer. He prolonged the qiyam so much that I made up my mind to commit an impertinence. He was asked: What had you made up your mind to?. He answered: To sit down and stop following him (Bokhari and Muslim). 104. Anas relates that the Holy Prophet said: Three accompany a dead body: members of his family, his belongings and his deeds. Two of them come away and one remains. The members of his family and his belongings come away, his deeds remain (Bokhari and Muslim). 105. Ibn Mas'ud relates that the Holy Prophet said: Paradise is closer to you than your shoe-lace, and the same is the case with hell (Bokhari). 106. Rabi'ah ibn Ka'ab Aslami relates: I used to pass my night in the proximity of the Holy Prophet and used to put up water for his ablutions. One