The first prayer performed in Islam

21-10-2007 | IslamWeb

Question:

which was the first namaz performed by Mohammed (May peace be upon him) from fazr, dhor, asar,magrib & iasha? Why was Mohammed (May peace be upon him) was given nabuwat at the age of fourty as comapred to other prophets?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

 

The first prayer prescribed in Islam was the Thuhr prayer; it is for this reason why it is called Thuhr, from the Arabic verb Thahara, which means to appear. Some scholars may Allaah have mercy upon them refer to it as 'the first prayer' because it was the first prayer which the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) may Allaah exalt his mention prayed with the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) after the prayer was ordained on the night journey, when he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) ascended to the heaven; this is reported by some companions may Allaah be pleased with them and some righteous predecessors may Allaah have mercy upon them from the second generation after the companion.

Besides, At-Tabaraani may Allaah have mercy upon him reported that the first prayer which was ordained on the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was the Thuhr prayer. Al-Hasan may Allaah be pleased with him explained this in details; quoting the verse of Allaah (which means): {And establish prayer at the two ends of the day.}[Quran 11:114], he may Allaah be pleased with him said: “The first prayer which the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) performed was the Thuhr prayer. Jibreel may Allaah exalt his mention came to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and told him [quoting the Verse of Allaah (which means): {And indeed, we are those who line up [for prayer]. And indeed, we are those who exalt Allaah.}[Quran 37:165-166]. Hence, Jibreel may Allaah exalt his mention stood in front of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and the companions may Allaah be pleased with them stood behind him sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and the women stood behind the men.” Al-Hasan may Allaah be pleased with him then said: “The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) led people in Thuhr prayer four Rak'ahs”. [Abdur-Razaaq]

As regards your question as to why the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was commissioned a Prophet at the age of forty, then the answer is that it is at this age that a person's reasoning is complete, he becomes in the best state of mind and his strength is full. The Message is a heavy burden; it is for this reason that the Prophets were sent at the age of forty and this was not peculiar to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ). Additionally, Allaah does whatever he wishes and He is the Most Wise.    

Allaah Knows best.

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