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:

Brother Burhan,

Please clarified this hadit, which I got in my mailbox.

"Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam `ala Rasulillah As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu Narrated by Aisha (Radhiallaho anha): Allah`s Messenger (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam)said, "If the Iqama for (`Isha`) prayer is proclaimed and supper is served, take your supper first." Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 7 : No. 374 " I got this from sahih_hadith@yahoogroups.com. Please put some light on this hadit.

May Allah Give you better rewards.

Regards,

Qutub

(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:

Food served when prayer iqama announced

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: Please put some light on this hadit.

The hadith quoted above is indeed accepted as authentic by the scholars and jurists in Islam. When one is in audience in prayer in Islam, one is required to offer his prayers unto his Lord with full sincerity and concentration; and if one’s food has been served at the table and the believer has to leave his food and offer his prayer, it is only natural that the thoughts to satisfy one’s hunger may perchance overtake one’s zest and concentration in prayer……thus Islam has recognized even this slightest of trifles in the nature of man and guided that if one’s supper is served and on the table, and the ‘iqama’ for prayer is announced, one should first satisfy his hunger and only then offer his prayers without hindrance.

Thus to avoid putting oneself in such a situation, one should time his supper serving so that it does not coincide with his prayer times; but if for any reason one finds oneself in a situation where supper is served and the ‘iqama’ for prayer is announced, one should finish his meal and then go offer his prayers.

Same is the ruling when one has to answer the call of nature and the ‘iqama’ for prayer is announced; instead of being uncomfortable in prayer because one chose to control his relief, Islam guides that one should make himself comfortable by answering the call of nature first, and only then stand in prayer so that he may worship his Lord Creator with full sincerity and concentration, and without hindrance.

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