—nor for regarding any excess in lighting beyond the actual need, in any place whatsoever, as something recommended in the first place. What the rank-and-file pilgrims do on the Day of ʿArafah among the mountains of ʿArafāt, and on the night of the Day of Sacrifice at al-Mashʿar al-Ḥarām, belongs to this very category; it must be denounced and labeled an innovation, a reprehensible act, and contrary to the purified Law).

(3) One should walk to the mosque with tranquility and dignity, not with haste, because the Prophet ﷺ said: “When you come to the prayer, proceed with calmness (another narration adds: and dignity). Whatever part of it you catch, pray; whatever you miss, complete.”

The ḥadīth is related from Abū Qatādah al-Anṣārī — may Allah be pleased with him — who said: “While we were praying with the Prophet ﷺ he heard the commotion of some men. When he finished the prayer he asked, ‘What is the matter with you?’ They replied, ‘We hurried to the prayer.’ He said, ‘Do not do that; when you come to the prayer…’” and so on.

The report is recorded by al-Bukhārī (2/92); Muslim (2/100–101); al-Dārimī (1/294); al-Bayhaqī (2/298); and Aḥmad (5/306) through the chain of Yaḥyā ibn Abī Kathīr, who said: “ʿAbd Allāh ibn Abī Qatādah informed me that his father narrated it to him.” The additional wording found in the other narration is from Abū Hurayrah; its text has already been quoted under “Iqāmah,” issue nine, together with its chains, so it need not be repeated here.

Al-Tirmidhī said (2/149): “The scholars have differed about walking to the mosque. Some held that one may hasten if he fears missing the first takbīr; indeed, it is reported of some of them that he would even trot to…"