Muslim

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
According to your (the Prophet’s) prediction, after your passing, such circumstances arose that some people had to perform the prayer (which is the outward and tangible sign of faith) in secret. This was because prayer cannot be abandoned under any circumstances, whether in peace or in war, and prayer itself is the perpetual sign and symbol of Islam and faith, which is performed five times daily. Since some governors would lead the prayer very late, some people would perform the prayer on their own beforehand, and then also join the congregation.

Understanding of the Hadith:
Hudhayfah radi Allahu anhu meant that during the time of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, we became fearless even when we were only one and a half thousand in number, but now, despite being in the thousands and millions, we are afraid to speak the truth. Some, out of fear, even perform their prayers at home. Hudhayfah radi Allahu anhu said this at a time when Walid bin Uqbah was the governor of Kufa on behalf of Uthman radi Allahu anhu, and he would delay the prayers so much, may Allah protect us. Eventually, some pious people would perform the prayer at its earliest time and then, out of fear of him, would also join the congregation. [ماخوذ از شرح بخاري، مولانا داود راز تحت الحديث 3060]

Hadith Commentary:
The narration of Abu Mu'awiyah has been recorded by Imam Muslim, Ahmad, al-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah.
Al-Dawudi, the commentator, adopted the method of reconciliation and said: Perhaps they conducted the census multiple times in different places, meaning the difference in numbers occurred because they may have counted the people in several locations. Some have also said that the figure of one and a half thousand refers to all—men, women, children, slaves—who became Muslim, while the number from six hundred to seven hundred refers specifically to men, and five hundred refers exclusively to those who were fighters.
And in the hadith is the legitimacy of recording the registers of armies, and at times this may become necessary when there is a need to distinguish those fit for combat from those who are not (Fath).
The intent of Hudhayfah (radi Allahu anhu) was that, in the blessed era of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), when our number reached one and a half thousand, we became fearless, and now there are thousands and millions of Muslims, yet people are afraid to speak the truth.
Some, out of fear, perform their prayer alone and cannot utter a word.
Hudhayfah (radi Allahu anhu) said this during the time when al-Walid ibn Uqbah was the governor of Kufa on behalf of Uthman (radi Allahu anhu), and he would delay the prayers so much—God forbid.
Eventually, some pious people would perform the prayer at its earliest time, and then, out of fear, would also join the congregation.

Hadith Commentary:
1.
Hazrat Hudhayfah (radi Allahu anhu) said this at the time when Hazrat Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) appointed Walid bin Uqbah (radi Allahu anhu) as the governor of Kufa, and he would delay the prayer greatly, so the pious people would perform the prayer alone at its earliest time.
But in our era, the rulers do not even mention the name of prayer.
Hazrat Hudhayfah (radi Allahu anhu) meant that in the blessed era of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), when we were one and a half thousand, we became fearless and bold, but now, despite being in the thousands, we are afraid to speak the truth, and some, out of fear, perform the prayer alone.
And they cannot say anything with their tongues.
Wallahu al-musta‘an (Allah is the One whose help is sought).

2.
The reason for the difference in numbers is perhaps that a census was conducted at several different places.
Some have also said that by one and a half thousand is meant all the Muslims—men, women, and children—and that from six hundred to seven hundred refers only to the men.
And by five hundred is meant those young soldiers who were fighting on the battlefield. Wallahu a‘lam (Allah knows best).
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has used this as evidence for the permissibility of conducting a census.

Benefits and Issues:

➊ The benefit of a census is that it allows for an accurate assessment of manpower.

➋ The Companions (radi Allahu anhum) had such reliance (tawakkul) upon Allah Ta'ala that, even when their number was only six or seven hundred, they considered themselves invincible.

➌ Trials can come even when the numbers are large. Therefore, one should continue to seek help from Allah and remain steadfast during trials.