ʿAbbās—who related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever hears the call to prayer and does not answer it, his prayer is of no value unless he has a valid excuse.” (1)

Ibn Mājah also recorded this ḥadith through the narration of ʿAbd al-Ḥamīd, and our chain to him is of higher rank.

Bishruwayh ibn Muḥammad al-Mughfilī narrated to us; Abū Naṣr Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Isfarāʾīnī informed us; he said: Abū al-Ḥasan al-Ṣaffār the jurist told us:

“We were sitting with al-Ḥasan ibn Sufyān while a group of distinguished seekers who had travelled to him were gathered around. One day he came out and said, ‘Listen to what I say before I begin dictation. We know that you are people of comfort who have left your homelands, but do not imagine that, by enduring these hardships for knowledge, you have yet fulfilled its due. Let me recount to you a portion of what I myself endured in seeking knowledge.

I left my homeland and arrived in Egypt with nine fellow students. We used to attend a shaykh who, in learning, ranked foremost among the scholars of his age. He would dictate to us only a little each day until our funds ran low. We sold our furnishings, went three days without food, and awoke unable even to move. Necessity pressed us to lift the veil of modesty and show our need, yet our souls refused. We therefore resolved to draw lots; the lot fell to me. I was at a loss and reluctant, so I prayed two units and supplicated. I had not yet finished when a young man entered the mosque with a servant and asked, “Which of you is al-Ḥasan ibn Sufyān?”

I replied, “I am.”

He said, “The amīr Ṭūlūn conveys his greetings, apologises for neglecting to inquire about your condition, and has sent this. He will visit you tomorrow.”

He then set one hundred dinars before each of us. We were astonished and asked, “What is the story?”

He answered, “I entered upon the amīr early this morning and he said, ‘I wish to be alone today,’ so we withdrew. An hour later he summoned me; when I came in I found him pressing his hand against his side in excruciating pain…’”