Brief Comments of Shaikh Ibn Baaz on Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #6

Circles of Knowledge

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said:

Chapter: Sitting in gatherings (circles of knowledge)

Narrated Abu Waqid Al Laithi: While Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم was sitting in the Masjid with some people, three men came. Two of them came in front of Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم and the third one went away. The two persons kept on standing before Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم for a while and then one of them found a place in the circle and sat there while the other sat behind the gathering, and the third one went away. When Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم finished his preaching, he said, "Shall I tell you about these three persons? One of them betook himself to Allaah, so Allaah took him into His grace and mercy and accommodated him, the second felt shy from Allaah, so Allaah sheltered Him in His mercy (and did not punish him), while the third turned (his face from Allaah) and went away, so Allaah turned (His face) from him likewise." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (66)]

Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said:

There are 5 benefits in this:

a.       The gatherings of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم sometimes used to be in the Masjid and sometimes at his home.

b.      It is recommended upon the person, who enters a Masjid and finds a gathering, to join it.

c.       A person should try to benefit (as much as possible by sitting near the speaker), so if he finds a place inside the circle then he should approach it, otherwise he should sit at the back of the gathering.*

d.      In it is a warning against those who turn away from seeking knowledge.**

e.      So does it mean that the ruling of Tahiyaatul Masjid is lifted? No! (A person has to offer the two Raka`aat before sitting in the Masjid).***

Notes:

* We find today a lot of people who arrive early to the Masjid for the Jumu`ah khutbah, but intentionally sit at the back, further away from the Khateeb; and the similar is done in the other circles of knowledge too, where even the grownups will sit at the back and talk to each other.

** Further warning about turning away from seeking knowledge is the saying of Allaah تعالى:

{And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of his Lord, then turns aside therefrom? Verily, We shall exact retribution from the Mujrimoon.} [Surah al_Sajdah (32): 22]

*** Narrated Abu Qatada Al Aslami: Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "If anyone of you enters a Masjid, he should pray two Raka`aat before sitting." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (435) and Muslim]

Reference:

الحلل الإبريزية من التعليقات البازية على صحيح البخاري