Abu Dawud

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:

➊ Imam Tawus ordered his son to repeat the prayer anew upon omitting the ta‘awwudh (seeking refuge), from which it is understood that he considered this command to be obligatory (fard). Ibn Hazm rahimahullah also holds the same view, that the ta‘awwudh transmitted from Aisha radi Allahu anha is necessary for prayer. However, according to the majority of scholars, it is recommended (mustahabb), meaning these words should be recited in prayer, but the prayer is still valid without them.

➋ Some people give the call to prayer (adhan) after burial so that Satan may flee and the deceased may be able to recall the answers to the angels’ questions. Allamah Sa‘idi has written that considering this to be a pillar of burial is false and an evil innovation (bid‘ah sayyi’ah). (Vol: 2, p: 190) It is evident that the beginning of innovation (bid‘ah) occurs in this way: at first, an act is started considering it good, without deeming it necessary or obligatory. Gradually, it is made a part of the religion, and those who do not perform it are subjected to criticism and reproach.

Explanation:
1:
O Allah! I seek Your protection from the punishment of Hell and from the punishment of the grave, and I seek Your protection from the trial of the False Messiah (Masih al-Dajjal), and I seek Your protection from the trials (turmoil) of life and death.

1542. Commentary: The repetition of «أعوذ» in the words of the supplication is due to the terror and significance of these matters.

Benefits and Issues:
➊ It is necessary to learn and teach the prescribed (masnun) supplications with effort and diligence.

➋ The punishment of the grave is a reality. It is obligatory to have faith in it. And it is necessary to avoid all those actions that become a cause for the punishment of the grave, such as: conveying one person's words to another to create discord between them, or not taking proper care to protect the body and clothes from urine splashes, etc.

The "Dajjal" is called "Masih" because the Jews consider him their Messiah, regard him as their savior, and are awaiting his arrival, whereas the true Messiah is Isa (alayhis salam), who has already come and will descend again from the heavens near the Day of Judgment. Thus, Dajjal is called Masih sarcastically. Another reason is that Dajjal is "mamsuh al-‘ayn" (one whose eye is wiped out).

Takhrij al-Hadith:
[وأخرجه مسلم 590، من حديث ما لك به ورواه عبدالله بن طاوس عن أبيه مختصراً]

Tafaqquh
➊ The punishment of the grave is a reality. There is no difference of opinion regarding this among Ahl al-Sunnah, therefore it is obligatory to have faith in it and to hold this as the correct creed. Also see: [التهميد 186/12]
➋ Before the Day of Resurrection, a one-eyed man, the greatest Dajjal, will appear. May Allah protect us from his evil.
➌ In life, there are many trials related to family, wealth, religion, and worldly matters, and the trial of death refers to the trial at the time of death, the punishment of the grave, and the punishment of the Day of Resurrection.
➍ According to some scholars, reciting the above-mentioned supplication in prayer is obligatory, i.e., fard, but the preferred opinion is that this supplication is neither fard nor wajib, rather it is sunnah, as is established from the hadith «ثم يتخير من الدعاء أعجبه إليه فيدعو۔». See: [صحيح بخاري 835، وصحيح مسلم 402]
➎ One should make arrangements to teach supplications, remembrances, and regular litanies, because these are the weapons of the believer.
➏ Hadith is a legal proof (shar‘i hujjah) and its preservation is the responsibility of Allah.
➐ Also see: [الموطأ ح 207، البخاري 1379، ومسلم 2866]