(^222) THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
It was this community of Helpers to whom God made reference in the words,
"And those who made their abode in the town and in the faith" (sgrat al-Hashr;
LIX, v.9).
When the Messenger of God (SAAS) first came to Medina, the people would
gather with him for prayer at the appointed times without any summons to them.
The Messenger of God (SAAS) then wanted to have a horn blown like that the
Jews use to call their people to prayer. But he grew to dislike this and ordered a
hand bell be used. One was made to be struck to bring the Muslims to the prayer.
While this was the practice 'Abd All& b. Zayd b. Tha'laba h. 'Abd Rabbihi,
the brother of Ibn al-n?trith b. al-Khazraj, saw a vision and came to the
Messenger of God (SAAS) and said, "0 Messenger of God, last night I had a
vision. I saw a man pass me by who was wearing two green garments and he
carried a bell in his hand. I asked him, 'Will you sell me that bell?' He responded,
'What will you do with it?' I replied, 'We'll use it to summon people to prayer.'
He asked, 'Shall I tell you a better way?' 'What would that be?' I asked. He told
me, 'You should call out, "AlldIu Akbar! AlldIu Akbar! All&u Akbar! (God is
Most Great) I hear witness that there is no god but God. I bear witness that
Muhammad is the Messenger of God! I bear witness that Muhammad is the
Messenger of God! Come to prayer! Come to prayer! Come to salvation! Come
to salvation! Allahu Akbar! All&u Akbar! There is no god but God!"'
"Having been told this, the Messenger of God (SAAS) said, 'These are - if
God wills it - visions of truth. Stand with Bilal and deliver them to him so that
he can use them to announce the call to prayer; he has a stronger voice than yon.'
"When Bild made the call to prayer using these words Wmar b. al-Khatrzb
heard him while in his house and came out to the Messenger of God (SAAV
dragging his cloak behind him and saying, '0 Prophet of God, I swear by Him
who sent you with the truth that I saw the same vision!'
"'All praise be to God!' exclaimed the Messenger of God (SAAS)."
Ibn Ishaq went on, "Mhammad b. Ihr&im b. al-Haith related this hadith to
me, from Muhammad h. 'Abd Allah Zayd b. Tha'laba b. 'Ahd Rabbihi, from his
father."
Abii Da'iid, al-Tiidhl, Ibn Maja and Ibn Khuzayma all related this hadith
through Muhammad b. Ishnq. Al-Timidhi, Ibn Khuzayma and others all
deemed it authentic.
According to Abii Dz'ad he (the vision) also taught him ('Abd Allah b. Zayd)
the %qarnap8 saying, "Then, to begin the prayer, you say, 'God is Great! God is
Great! I bear witness that there is no god hut God! I bear witness that
Muhammad is the Messenger of God! Come to prayer! Come to salvation! The
prayer has begun! The prayer has begun! God is Great! God is Great! There is
no god hut God!"'
Ibn Maja related this hadith from Abii Wbayd Muhammad b. Wbayd h.
Maymiin from Muhammad b. Salama al-Harrmi from Ibn Ishaq, as stated above.
- The second call to prayer, indlcatmg its commencement.