`Itban bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported, who was with Messenger of Allah (PBUH) in the battle of Badr: I used to lead my people at Bani Salim in Salat (prayer) and there was a valley between me and those people. Whenever it rained, it became difficult for me to cross it for going to their mosque. So I went to Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said, "I have weak eyesight and the valley between me and my people flows during the rainy season and it becomes difficult for me to cross it. I wish you to come to my house and offer Salat at a place so that I could reserve that as a Musalla (place for prayer)." Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "I will do so". So Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) came to my house the (next) morning after the sun had risen high. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) asked my permission to enter and I admitted him. He did not sit before saying, "Where do you want us to offer Salat in your house?" I pointed to the place where I wanted him to offer prayers. So Messenger of Allah (PBUH) stood up for the prayer and started the prayer with Takbir and we aligned in rows behind him; and he offered two Rak`ah prayer and finished them with Taslim, and we also performed Taslim with him. I detained him for a meal called Khazirah which I had prepared for him. (Khazirah is a special type of dish prepared from barley flour and meat soup). When the neighbours got the news that Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was in my house, they started coming till a large number of men gathered in my house. One of them said, "What is wrong with Malik, for I do not see him?" One of them replied, "He is a hypocrite and does not love Allah and His Messenger". On that Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Dont say this. Havent you seen that he testified that there is no true god except Allah, for Allahs sake only." The man replied, "Allah and His Messenger know better, but by Allah, we never saw him but helping and talking with the hypocrites." Messenger of Allah (PBUH) replied, "No doubt, whosoever testifies that there is no true god except Allah, seeking by so professing the pleasure of Allah only, Allah will safeguard him against (Hell) Fire."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary:
This Hadith highlights the following four points: 1. One can offer Salat at home if one has a lawful reason for it. 2. In the event one is obliged to offer Salat at home it is well to reserve a place for it. 3. It is not permissible to suspect a Muslim on the basis of mere doubt. 4. In the end, every Muslim will be sent to Jannah. This point has already been elaborated.
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