Performing Salaah with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)
When the time of salaah would arrive, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would go out of Makkah to the valleys with Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to perform salaah. Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) would go in secret, hiding from his father, Abu Taalib, as well as his uncles and the people of Makkah Mukarramah. In this manner, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) would perform salaah together in the valleys, and in the evening, they would return to Makkah. (This was in the beginning of Islam, before the five daily salaah became fardh.)
Thereafter, on one occasion, Abu Taalib came across them while they were performing salaah in a valley. Observing them performing salaah, he asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “O my nephew! What is this deen that you are following?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “O my uncle! This is the deen of Allah Ta‘ala, the deen of His angels, the deen of all his Prophets (‘alaihimus salaam), and the deen of our forefather, Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam). Allah Ta‘ala has sent me with this deen as a Rasul (messenger) to his servants. You, O my uncle, from all the people, have the greatest right over me so that I should wish well for you and invite you towards true guidance, and you are the most deserving of accepting my invitation and assisting me in my mission.”
Abu Taalib responded, “O my nephew! I cannot leave the religion of my forefathers and their creed. However, by Allah, so long as I am alive, I will protect you and ensure that nothing harmful befalls you.”
Abu Taalib then turned to his son, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), and asked, “O my son! What is this deen that you are following?” Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) responded, “O my father! I have brought imaan in Allah and the Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). I have accepted the message he has brought, I perform salaah with him and I follow his teachings.”
To this, Abu Taalib responded, “He has invited you towards pure goodness, so ensure that you remain firmly attached to him.” (Seerah Ibnu Hishaam 1/246-247)
Hazrat ‘Afeef Kindi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) Observing Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Perform Salaah with Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
Hazrat ‘Afeef Kindi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports the following incident:
I was a businessman by trade, and on one occasion, I came to Mina during the days of haj. Hazrat ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was also a businessman, so I came to him to conduct some trade. While we were seated together in Mina, a man emerged from one of the tents, stood and commenced performing salaah while facing the qiblah. Thereafter, a woman emerged and also stood, performing salaah. Then, a young boy came and also began to perform salaah with them.
Observing this, I enquired, “O ‘Abbaas! What is this deen which they are following? We are not familiar with this deen!” Hazrat ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “This man is Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the son of ‘Abdullah. He claims that Allah Ta‘ala has sent him as His Rasul and prophet, and that the kingdom of Ceasar and Chosroes (the Roman and Persian rulers) will be conquered and their treasures will come into his possession. This woman is his respected wife, Hazrat Khadeejah bint Khuwailid (radhiyallahu ‘anha). She has brought imaan in him and accepted his deen. This young boy is the cousin of Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). His name is ‘Ali bin Abi Taalib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). He has also brought imaan in him and accepted his deen.”
Hazrat ‘Afeef (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had accepted Islam later on. Hence, after narrating this incident, Hazrat ‘Afeef (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) remarked, “If only I had accepted Islam on that day, then I could have been the next person, after them, to follow Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).” (Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah 4/62-63)