ONE HADITH A DAY
Narrated by Muslim · Authentic hadith
عن ابن عباس -رضي الله عنهما- قال: كَشف رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم السِّتَارة والناس صُفوف خَلف أبي بَكر، فقال: «أيها الناس، إنه لم يَبْق من مُبَشِّرَاتِ النُّبُوَّةِ إلا الُّرؤيا الصَّالحة، يَراها المُسلم، أو تُرى له، ألا وإنِّي نُهِيت أن أقْرَأ القرآن راكِعا أو ساجِدا، فأما الرُّكوع فعظِّموا فيه الرَّب عز وجل ، وأما السُّجود فَاجْتَهِدُوا في الدُّعاء، فَقَمِنٌ أن يُستَجاب لكم».
“Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) drew the curtain (of his chamber) aside to see the people standing in rows behind Abu Bakr in prayer. He then said: "O people, there is nothing remaining of the glad tidings of prophet-hood except a good vision that a Muslim sees or someone else sees it for him. Verily, I have been forbidden to recite the Qur'an while bowing or prostrating. So, while bowing, glorify the Lord, and while prostrating, engage in supplication diligently, for it is most likely that your supplications would be answered."”
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) lifted the curtain that covered the door of his house and saw the people standing in rows behind Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and praying in congregation. Because of his illness, he could not lead them in prayer and ordered Abu Bakr to lead them instead. Then, he addressed them saying: "O People, there is nothing that remained from the glad tidings of prophet-hood except a good vision." After the death of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the cessation of revelation, nothing remained but the good vision (dreams); i.e. the true vision that conforms to reality. The believers see such vision in their sleep, so they rejoice at it and increase in their steadfastness upon faith. A good vision is considered part of prophet-hood because the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to see visions that came true as evident as daylight at the first stage of his prophet-hood. He described visions as "glad tidings" because most visions herald good news; however, some visions are a plain and true warning that Allah, the Almighty, sends to the believer out of mercy so that he prepares himself in advance for what will befall him. Therefore, a good vision is either glad tidings for the believer or a warning to alert him from a state of heedlessness. "that a Muslim sees for himself or others see it for him": the good vision may be seen by the person himself or by someone else who sees a vision about him. "I have been forbidden to recite the Qur’an while bowing or pr…