Life-of-Muhammad

Life of Muhammad sa 205Whenever he heard the word of God being recited, hewas overcome by emotion and tears would start from hiseyes, especially if he was listening to verses whichemphasized his own responsibilities. ‘Abdullah binMas‘ud ra relates that he was on one occasion asked bythe Holy Prophet sa to recite some verses of the Qur’an tohim. He said: "O Messenger of Allah sa ! The Qur’an hasbeen revealed to you (i.e., you know it best of all). Howthen shall I recite it to you?" But the Holy Prophet sasaid: "I love to hear it recited by other people also."Thereupon ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ud ra began to recitefrom Surah Al-Nisa’. When he recited the verse: "Andhow will it fare with them when We shall bring a witnessfrom every people, and shall bring thee as a witnessagainst them" (4: 42), the Holy Prophet sa exclaimed:‘Enough! Enough!" ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ud ra looked upand saw that tears were streaming from the HolyProphet's sa eyes (Bukhari, Kitab Fada’ilul Qur’an).He was so particular about joining thecongregational prayers that, even during severe illnesswhen it is permissible not only to say one's prayers inone's room but even to say them lying in bed, he wouldgo to the mosque to lead the prayers himself. On oneoccasion when he was unable to proceed to the mosquehe directed that Abu Bakr ra should lead the prayers.Presently however, he felt some improvement in hiscondition and asked to be supported into the mosque.He rested his weight on the shoulders of two men butwas in so feeble a condition that, according to ‘A’isha ra ,his feet trailed along the ground (Bukhari ).It is a common practice to give expression to one'spleasure or to draw attention to any particular matter bythe clapping of hands and the Arabs used to follow thesame practice. The Holy Prophet sa , however, so loved theremembrance of God that for these purposes also hesubstituted the praise and remembrance of God in placeof the clapping of hands. On one occasion while he wasoccupied with some important matter, the time of thenext service drew near and he directed that Abu Bakr ra