Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … In the preaching of the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, wisdom, foresight, prudence, understanding of temperament, and concern for the well-being of people—all these qualities are found in the highest degree. When he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam saw that someone wished to embrace Islam but was adamant on the issue of the five prayers, then his sallallahu alayhi wa sallam’s wisdom decided that, for the time being, his insistence should be accepted. Later, when he would grasp the reality of Islam, he would accept all the pillars of Islam. Two similar examples and their explanations are given below:

Sayyiduna Fadala al-Laythi radi Allahu anhu says: The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam taught me some matters, among which was this: ((Guard the five prayers.)) I said: “There are times among these in which I am occupied, so command me with a comprehensive matter which, if I do it, will suffice me.” He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: ((Guard the two prayers: the prayer before sunrise and the prayer before sunset.)) … Guard the five prayers. I said: In those hours I am busy; give me such a comprehensive command that I may continue to act upon it and it will suffice for me. He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: Continue to guard the two prayers, that is, the prayer before sunrise and the prayer before sunset. (Abu Dawud: 453, Sahihah: 1813)

Lest the thought should occur to anyone that sufficing with two prayers is also permissible, according to the scholars of truth, two meanings of this hadith are possible: (1) This person was given concession to lag behind the congregation due to his preoccupation, not concession to abandon prayer; and (2) he was a new Muslim, and the wisdom of the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam required that, for the time being, he be given a concession. When his faith would become firm, then performing the five prayers would become possible for him. And this is what appears to be closest to correctness: that when a preacher encourages a non-praying person to perform the five prayers, but he insists that he will only pray two or three, then in light of this hadith, he may be told: “Fine, continue to pray two or three.” (And Allah knows best what is correct.)

If the following narration is considered, the second meaning appears to be more weighty and correct:

Abu Zubayr narrates that he said: I asked Sayyiduna Jabir radi Allahu anhu about the pledge of allegiance of the tribe of Thaqif. He said: This tribe, at the time of pledging allegiance, placed the condition upon the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam that neither charity (sadaqah) nor jihad would be obligatory upon them. So the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: ((Soon they will give charity and perform jihad when they become (true) Muslims.)) … Soon, when they become (firm) Muslims, they will also give charity and perform jihad. (Musnad Ahmad: 3/341, Sahihah: 1888)

This hadith is clear proof of the reality that, for a great benefit, someone may be temporarily exempted from some rulings of Islam. If the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam had not accepted the conditions of the people of the tribe of Thaqif, it was possible that they would have persisted in disbelief, which would have been a far greater harm. Compared to that harm, even an incomplete Islam—lacking jihad and charity—is better, provided that the one granting the concession also hopes that soon these people will accept all the rulings of Islam. This is exactly what is mentioned in the hadith of this chapter: that if all five prayers are not performed, then at least performing two is better; through these two, it may gradually become possible to convince them of all five. How admirable is the wisdom and sagacity of the wise and discerning Prophet!