A Place of Prayer in His House
Itban ibn Malik was an Ansari of Banu Salim of the Khazraj who had fought at Badr. When his eyesight weakened and the rains flooded the valley between his house and the mosque, he found it hard to lead his people in prayer. So he sent for the Prophet ﷺ, asking him to come and pray in a corner of his house, that he might take that spot as a place of prayer. The Prophet ﷺ came, asked where he wished him to pray, and prayed there — and the gathering spoke of the hypocrite Malik ibn al-Dukhshun, upon which the Prophet ﷺ taught a great principle of hope.
Virtues in the Hadith
فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ حَرَّمَ عَلَى النَّارِ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ يَبْتَغِي بِذَلِكَ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ
”For Allah has forbidden the Fire to whoever says ‘There is no god but Allah,’ seeking thereby the Face of Allah.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 425 · Book 8 (Prayers), Hadith 75 · USC-MSA: Vol. 1, Book 8, Hadith 417 · narrated by Itban ibn Malik
Life Timeline
Born in Madinah
Of Banu Salim, the Khazraj.
Fights at Badr
The Prophet ﷺ prays in his house
After his eyesight failed.
Dies in Madinah
References
- Sahih al-Bukhari — Itban, of weak sight, asks the Prophet ﷺ to pray in his house; 'Allah has forbidden the Fire to whoever says La ilaha illa Allah seeking His Face' pp. 425 (Book 8, Hadith 75)