Chapter 93: Graceful Walk for rites

allah, the exalted, says:

"and whosoever honours the symbols of allah, then it is truly from the piety of the heart.'' (22:32)

704. abu hurairah (may allah be pleased with him) reported: i heard the messenger of allah (pbuh) saying, "when the iqamah are pronounced, do not come to it running, you should walk calmly with tranquillity to join the congregation. then join in what you catch for and complete what you miss.''
[al-bukhari and muslim].

  in muslim it is added: messenger of allah (pbuh) said, "for when one of you is walking for salat, he is, in fact, engaged in salat.''

commentary:  this hadith prevents us from running or walking hurriedly in order to join a congregational prayer because this is undignified. whereas, we are commanded to be self-composed and dignified with regard to all matters. secondly, when a believer walks up to the mosque after performing ablution at home, he is considered to be in a state of salat. thirdly, the first rak`ah he prays behind the imam will be counted his first rak`ah, so he must make up for the rak`ah he may have missed, if any, after the imam has concluded his salat.

705. ibn `abbas (may allah be pleased with them) reported: i accompanied the prophet (pbuh) while we were returning from `arafat. messenger of allah (pbuh) heard behind him a loud noise of beating and of driving the camels forcibly. he pointed towards it with his whip and said, "o people! proceed calmly. no virtue lies in rushing.''
[al-bukhari and muslim].

commentary:  people return from `arafat jostling against one another as if they are being thrust forward from behind. such an act is incompatible with decorum. messenger of allah (pbuh) advised them to observe tranquillity and orderliness and to avoid a disorderly haste. there is indeed dire need to act upon this advice of messenger of allah (pbuh) at hajj sites during the performance of the sacred rites. may allah guide muslims!