Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Salam alekum,

In the text of hadith I observe some words in brackets. Who puts them in brackets? Are these words not part of the hadith?

Moreover, in the commentry it implies that the hadith was for the men believers. How it is concluded like that?

Jazakallah Khair.

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Hadrat Zaid bin Thabit (r.a.) reported: ‘The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "O people! Perform your (voluntary) Salat (prayers) in your homes because the best Salat of a man is the one he performs at home, except the obligatory Salat.``

Related by Bukhari and Muslim.

Commentary:

The five obligatory prayers of the day and night must be performed by the believing males in congregation in the Masjids.

Although it is permissible to also offer one’s voluntary (Sunnah and Nafl) prayers in the Masjids, it is more rewarding and meritorious to offer them in one’s homes.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Who writes the words in brackets

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: …In the text of hadith I observe some words in brackets. Who puts them in brackets? Are these words not part of the hadith?

When quoting the hadiths or even the Quran, at times it becomes necessary to clarify to the layman what might be obvious to most….and that is why the commentators put some words in brackets to signify that the words placed in the brackets are not actually a part of the Quran or the hadith, but rather a clarification placed there by the commentators.

A simple example to prove our point:

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 53 Surah Najm Verses 5-12:

5 He (Prophet Mohamed (saws)) was taught by one mighty in power (Hadrat Jibrael (a.s.))

6 Endued with Wisdom: For he (Hadrat Jibrael (a.s.)) appeared (in stately form)

7 While he was in the highest part of the horizon:

8 Then he approached and came closer

9 And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer;

10 So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant what He (meant) to convey.

11 The (Prophet's) mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw (Hadrat Jibrael (a.s.))

12 Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw?

Your Statement: …Moreover, in the commentry it implies that the hadith was for the men believers. How it is concluded like that?

Hadrat Zaid bin Thabit (r.a.) reported: ‘The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "O people! Perform your (voluntary) Salat (prayers) in your homes because the best Salat of a man is the one he performs at home, except the obligatory Salat.``

There are several authentic narrations attributed to the Messenger of Allah (saws) which excuse the believing women from offering their obligatory salats in the Masjid….in fact, the reward of offering an obligatory salat at home for the believing women is more than one offered in congregation in the masjid.

Thus from the very content of the above quoted hadith, and especially the last phrase ‘except the obligatory Salat’ leaves absolutely no doubt that this directive is for the believing men alone and not the womenfolk….as there is sufficient evidence in the other narrations of the Prophet (saws) that clearly state that the reward for the obligatory prayers offered in congregation by the believing males is 25 or 27 times that of offering it alone.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan