The Tale of Jesus and His Disciples: The Call to Prayer

Once, Abdullah ibn Mughaffal narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, said:”Jesus, son of Mary, peace be upon him, said: ‘O companions (Hawariyyun)! Prayer is a unifying act.’ The disciples went out in a state of worship, their bellies empty, their eyes sunken, and their faces pale. Jesus led them to a barren land. He stood at the head of a mound, praised Allah, and began to recite to them the verses of Allah and His wisdom.He said: ‘O companions! Listen to what I say. I find in the Book of Allah revealed to me in the Gospel certain things that are known; so act upon them.’ They asked: ‘O Spirit of God, what are they?’ He replied: ‘The night was created for three purposes, and the day for seven purposes. Whoever spends the night and day without engaging in these purposes will have both night and day argue against him on the Day of Judgment.’He continued: ‘The night was created so that you may rest your weary bodies that have been fatigued during the day, and so you may seek forgiveness for the sins you committed during the day. Do not return to those sins. Spend one-third of it sleeping, one-third standing in prayer, and one-third in supplication to your Lord. This is what the night was created for.”The day was created for you to perform the obligatory prayers for which you will be questioned; to honor your parents; to travel the land seeking livelihood; to return to Allah as a protector so that He may envelop you in His mercy; to attend funerals so that you may be forgiven; to enjoin what is good; to forbid what is wrong—this is the peak of faith and the foundation of religion; and to strive in the way of Allah, competing with Ibrahim, the Friend of Allah. Whoever spends the night and day without engaging in these purposes will have both night and day argue against him before the All-Powerful King.'”Explanation: It was mentioned that there were mounds in the mosque—places elevated above the ground made from earth or clay. The Tale of Ibn Mas’ud: The Signs of Judgment DayIbn Mas’ud narrated regarding Allah’s saying: “The Day when some of your Lord’s signs will come.” He said: “The rising of the sun and moon from their western horizons will be like two camels side by side.” Then he recited: “And He gathered the sun and moon.”

Bihar Al-Anwar – Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi – Part 55 – Page 207