"We stopped to camp at the end of the night with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and we did not wake up until the sun had risen. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Let each man take hold of his camel's head (and leave), for the Shaitan was here in this place with us.' We did that, then he called for water and performed Wudu', then he prayed two Rak'ahs, then the Iqamah was said and he prayed Al-Ghadah (Fajr)."
Hadith Text & Context
"We stopped to camp at the end of the night with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and we did not wake up until the sun had risen. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Let each man take hold of his camel's head (and leave), for the Shaitan was here in this place with us.' We did that, then he called for water and performed Wudu', then he prayed two Rak'ahs, then the Iqamah was said and he prayed Al-Ghadah (Fajr)."
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i 623 describes a journey where the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions overslept and missed the Fajr prayer at its proper time due to exhaustion from travel.
Scholarly Commentary
The command to "take hold of his camel's head" indicates moving away from the place where Satan caused them to oversleep. Scholars explain this teaches us to avoid locations where religious negligence occurred, as they may retain spiritual corruption.
The Prophet's immediate performance of wudu and two rak'ahs before the Fajr prayer demonstrates the sunnah of Tahiyyatul Wudu (prayer after ablution) and shows that missed prayers should be made up promptly when remembered.
This hadith establishes that sleeping through prayer time is excusable when unintended, and the obligation remains to pray upon awakening. The companions' collective oversight shows this ruling applies even when multiple Muslims miss prayer together.
Legal Rulings Derived
Qada (making up missed prayers) is obligatory for prayers missed due to sleep or forgetfulness.
The time for making up Fajr prayer extends until the sun has fully risen and becomes bright, as demonstrated by the Prophet praying after sunrise.
Changing location after spiritual negligence is recommended to break Satan's influence and renew one's spiritual state.
Tahiyyatul Wudu (two rak'ahs after ablution) is a confirmed sunnah that may be performed even after sunrise, contrary to the general prohibition against voluntary prayers at this time.
Spiritual Lessons
Satan actively seeks to make Muslims neglect their prayers, particularly Fajr. Vigilance against his whispers is essential.
Allah's mercy encompasses those who miss prayers unintentionally, providing the opportunity for qada without sin.
The Prophet's practical leadership shows how to handle religious shortcomings with wisdom - neither minimizing the error nor exaggerating its consequences.
This incident demonstrates the balance between recognizing Satan's influence while maintaining personal responsibility for one's acts of worship.