that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out to Ubayy bin Ka'b, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "O Ubayy!" And he was performing Salat, so Ubayy turned around but he did not respond to him, so Ubayy finished his Salat quickly. Then he turned to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: 'As-Salamu 'Alaikum, O Messenger of Allah!' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Wa 'Alaikum As-Salam - what prevented you from responding to me when I called you Ubayy?' He said: 'O Messenger of Allah! I was performing Salat.' So he said: 'Do you not find among what Allah revealed to me: Respond to Allah and to the Messenger when they call you to what gives you life?' He said: 'Of course, I shall not repeat that, if Allah wills.' He said: 'Would you like for me to teach you a Surah the likes of which has neither been revealed in the Tawrah, nor the Injil, nor the Zabur, nor in the entire Qur'an?' He said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'What do you recite in your Salat?' He said: 'I recite Umm Al-Qur'an.' So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! The like of it has neither been revealed in the Tawrah, nor the Injil nor the Zabur, nor in the Furqan. It is the seven oft-repeated, and the Magnificent Qur'an which I was given.'"
Context and Significance
This noble hadith from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (2875) demonstrates the exceptional status of Surah Al-Fatihah and clarifies important rulings regarding prayer interruptions.
Scholarly Commentary on the Incident
When Ubayy ibn Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him) did not respond during prayer, the Prophet (ﷺ) reminded him of the Quranic verse calling believers to respond to Allah and His Messenger. Scholars explain that responding to the Prophet's call takes precedence over voluntary prayers, though obligatory prayers remain uninterrupted.
The Prophet's gentle correction reflects his perfect teaching methodology - guiding through questioning rather than direct reprimand, allowing the companion to realize the matter himself.
The Excellence of Surah Al-Fatihah
The Prophet's declaration that Surah Al-Fatihah has no equal in previous scriptures underscores its unique status. Imam Al-Tirmidhi notes this hadith establishes Al-Fatihah's superiority over all revealed chapters.
Scholars explain that "the seven oft-repeated" refers to its seven verses recited repeatedly in every rak'ah of prayer. "The Magnificent Qur'an" indicates it contains the essence of the entire Quran's meanings.
Legal Rulings Derived
This narration establishes that responding to the Prophet's call during voluntary prayer is obligatory. It also confirms the obligation of reciting Al-Fatihah in prayer, as Ubayy mentioned reciting "Umm Al-Qur'an" (The Mother of the Quran).
The hadith demonstrates the permissibility of speaking during voluntary prayer when necessary, though scholars differ on whether this invalidates the prayer or merely diminishes its reward.