Mukhtasar Muslim

‘Wabrah (that is, Ibn Abdur Rahman) says: I was sitting with Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) when a man came to him and said, “Is it correct to perform Tawaf before going to Arafat?” Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said, “Yes.” So he said, “But Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) says not to perform Tawaf before going to Arafat.” Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said, “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) performed Hajj and performed Tawaf of the House before going to Arafat. So if you are true (in your faith), is it better to take the statement of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) or that of Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both)?”

It is a lesson that when the statement of a great jurist Companion like Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas is contrary to the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), then even looking towards his statement is not permitted, let alone, as is common today, considering the statements of Imams or spiritual guides as religion without question.

In another narration, Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: We saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he entered into Ihram for Hajj and performed Tawaf of the House and performed Sa’i between Safa and Marwah.

'Amr bin Dinar said: We asked Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) whether a person who comes for Umrah and, after performing Tawaf of the Ka'bah, can have intercourse with his wife before performing Sa'i between Safa and Marwah? He replied: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came to Makkah, performed Tawaf of the Ka'bah in seven circuits, prayed two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim, and performed Sa'i between Safa and Marwah seven times. And for you, the life of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is a beautiful example.