Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed)

Sahih al-Bukhari 7434

Hadith Text

We were sitting with the Prophet (ﷺ) and he looked at the moon on the night of the full-moon and said, "You people will see your Lord as you see this full moon, and you will have no trouble in seeing Him, so if you can avoid missing (through sleep or business, etc.) a prayer before sunrise (Fajr) and a prayer before sunset (`Asr) you must do so."

Scholarly Commentary

This profound hadith establishes the fundamental creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah regarding the Beatific Vision of Allah in the Hereafter. The Prophet (ﷺ) used the visible full moon as a tangible analogy for how believers will see their Lord - clearly, distinctly, and without any doubt or ambiguity.

The scholars explain that the vision will be with actual eyesight, not metaphorical or intellectual perception. However, we affirm this without delving into the modality (kayfiyyah), as Allah's essence transcends human comprehension. This vision constitutes the greatest bliss of Paradise for believers.

The connection between this supreme reward and safeguarding the Fajr and Asr prayers demonstrates their exceptional status. These two prayers mark the transitions between night and day, light and darkness, symbolizing the believer's constant remembrance of Allah throughout life's changes. Their preservation reflects comprehensive faith and earns this magnificent reward.

Legal and Spiritual Implications

Imam al-Bukhari's placement of this hadith in the Book of Tawheed emphasizes that the Beatific Vision represents the ultimate realization of divine unity - when faith becomes sight.

The conditional "if you can" indicates the tremendous effort required to consistently protect these prayers from negligence. Scholars note this includes both performing them on time and with proper devotion, guarding against worldly distractions that might cause their omission or delay.