Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Thabit Banani narrates that I was with Hazrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) on Friday. When he heard the call to prayer (adhan), he said, "Let us go and hasten towards the prayer."

Hasan, regarding the verse of the Holy Qur'an { فَاسْعَوْا إِلَی ذِکْرِ اللہِ }, says that what is meant by it is striving with the heart.

Hazrat Ikrimah says that "Sa'i" means action.

Hazrat Masruq, regarding the verse of the Holy Qur'an { فَاسْعَوْا إِلَی ذِکْرِ اللہِ }, says that it refers to time.

Hazrat Saeed bin Musayyib says that this refers to the admonition of the Imam.

Hazrat Muhammad bin Ka'b says that "Sa'i" means action.

Hasan, regarding the verse of the Holy Qur'an { فَاسْعَوْا إِلَی ذِکْرِ اللہِ }, says that what is meant is walking with the feet. People have been prohibited from coming to prayer in such a state that tranquility and dignity are not evident upon them. Also, it means to keep the hearts, intentions, and humility correct.

Ibrahim says that Hazrat Abdullah used to recite { فَامْضُوا إلَی ذِکْرِ اللہِ } in place of { فَاسْعَوْا إِلَی ذِکْرِ اللہِ } in the Holy Qur'an. And he used to say that if I recite it as { فَاسْعَوْا }, I would strive so hard that my sheet would fall off.

Hazrat Khursha reports that Hazrat Umar recited { فَامْضُوا إلَی ذِکْرِ اللہِ } in place of { فَاسْعَوْا إِلَی ذِکْرِ اللہِ } in the Holy Qur'an.

Hazrat Dhahhak, regarding Allah Almighty’s command { فَإِذَا قُضِیَتِ الصَّلاَۃُ فَانْتَشِرُوا فِی الأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِنْ فَضْلِ اللہِ } (When the prayer is finished, disperse in the land and seek Allah’s bounty), says that this is permission from Allah. If a person wishes, he may leave, and if he wishes, he may remain seated in the mosque.

Hazrat Mujahid and Hazrat Ata, may Allah be pleased with them, regarding the command { فَإِذَا قُضِیَتِ الصَّلاَۃُ فَانْتَشِرُوا فِی الأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِنْ فَضْلِ اللہِ } (When the prayer is finished, disperse in the land and seek the bounty of Allah), state that if one wishes, one may seek the bounty, and if one wishes, one may not.