Al-Sharḥ al-Mumtiʿ - Ibn al-'Uthaymin - (2/64)

Al-Sharḥ al-MumtiʿIbn al-'Uthaymin

We reply: This is to be added to their first error, for the expression “better” may be used even with regard to the most binding of obligations. Allah Most High says:

“O you who believe, shall I guide you to a transaction that will save you from a painful punishment? Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and strive in the way of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is better for you.” [al-Saff: 10, 11]

Allah thus describes faith and jihad as better—that is, better for you than the trade that distracts you. Here, “better” is used to compare an obligation with something else.

Allah also says concerning the Friday prayer:

“O you who believe, when the call is made for prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade. That is better for you.” [al-Jumu'ah: 9]

That is, it is better for you than trade. It is well known that attending the Friday prayer is obligatory, yet He says, “That is better for you.” Thus, He compares an obligation with something else. Accordingly, if the phrase “Prayer is better than sleep” were included in the adhān before dawn, we would say that this is not prescribed.

It consists of eleven phrases, recited quickly; and the one who gives the adhān should give the iqāmah in the same place, if that is easy.

His statement, “It consists of eleven, recited quickly”: “it” refers to the iqāmah, which consists of eleven phrases. The word “phrases” is omitted because it was mentioned in connection with the adhān.

His statement, “recited quickly,” means that it is said swiftly, without slow and measured recitation. It consists of eleven because the opening declaration of Allah’s greatness is said twice; the two testimonies—affirming Allah’s oneness and Muhammad’s messengership—are each said once; the two summonses to prayer and success are each said once; the declaration that the prayer has begun is said twice; the declaration of Allah’s greatness is said twice; and the declaration of Allah’s oneness is said once. This makes eleven, and this is the view chosen by Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) (1).

Other scholars chose a different view, saying that it consists of seventeen (110),

(1) See al-Mughni, 2:58; Zad al-Maad, 2:390; and al-Muntaqa min Faraid al-Fawaid, by the author, p. 222.

فنقول لهم: هذا أيضاً يُضاف إلى الخطأ الأوَّل؛ لأن الخيريَّة قد تُقال في أوجب الواجبات كما قال تعالى؛ ﴿يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى تِجَارَةٍ تُنَجِيكُمْ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ *﴾ ﴿تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَتُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنْفُسِكُمْ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ﴾ [الصف: ١٠، ١١]، فذكر اللَّهُ الإيمانَ والجهادَ بأنه خير؛ أي: خيرٌ لكم مما يُلهيكم من تجارتكم، والخيريَّة هنا بين واجب وغيره. وقال تعالى في صلاة الجمعة: ﴿يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ﴾ [الجمعة: ٩]، أي: خير لكم من البيع، ومعلومٌ أن الحضور إلى صلاة الجُمعة واجب ومع ذلك قال: ﴿ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ﴾ ففاضل بين واجبٍ وغيره. وعلى هذا؛ لو ثَوَّبَ في الأذان الذي قبل الصُّبْحِ لقلنا: هذا غير مشروع. وَهِيَ إِحْدى عَشْرَةَ يَحْدُرُها، وَيُقِيمُ مَنْ أَذَّنَ في مَكَانَه إِنْ سَهُلَ. قوله: «وهي إحدى عشرة يَحْدُرُها»، و «هي» أي: الإقامة إحدى عشرة جملة، وحذفَ التَّمييز؛ لأنه ذُكِرَ في الأذان. وقوله: «يحدُرُها»، أي: يُسرع فيها فلا يرتِّلها، وكانت إحدى عشرة؛ لأنَّ «التكبير» في أوَّلاها مرَّتان، و «التَّشهد» للتَّوحيد والرِّسالة مرَّة مرَّة، و «الحيعلتان» مرَّة مرَّة، و «قد قامت الصَّلاة» مرَّتان، و «التكبير» مرَّتان، و «التوحيد» مرَّة، فهذه إحدى عشرة، وهذا ما اختاره الإمام أحمد ﵀ (١). ومن العلماء من اختار سوى ذلك، وقال إنها: سبعَ عَشْرَة (١١٠)،

(١) انظر: «المغني» (٢/ ٥٨)، «زاد المعاد» (٢/ ٣٩٠)، «المنتقى من فرائد الفوائد» للمؤلِّف ص (٢٢٢).