‘Ubaidullah bin ‘Umar Al-Qawaareeri (rahimahullah) was a muhaddith of exceptional calibre from Basrah, who passed away in 235 A.H. He studied hadeeth under several great luminaries, including Fudhail bin ‘Iyaadh and Sufyaan bin ‘Uyainah (rahimahumallah). Among his many students were some of the greatest scholars of hadeeth — Imaam Bukhaari, Imaam Muslim, Imaam Abu Dawood (rahimahumullah) and numerous others. (Siyaru Aa’laamin Nubalaa vol. 11, pg. 442-445)

It was exceedingly rare for ‘Ubaidullah (rahimahullah) to miss the ‘Esha Salaah with jamaat. One night, however, a guest arrived, and he became occupied in (hosting) him. When he eventually went out in search of a congregation among the tribes of Basrah, he found that the people had already performed their salaah.

He then recalled the words of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that the salaah performed with jamaat exceeds the salaah performed individually by twenty-one, twenty-five or even twenty-seven degrees (according to various narrations). Thus, he returned home and performed the ‘Esha Salaah twenty-seven times, after which he retired to bed.

That night, he saw in a dream that he was riding a horse alongside a group of people, and they were all racing together. However, their horses outpaced his. He began urging and striking his horse, hoping to catch up with them. The last rider then turned to him and said, “Do not tire your horse, for you will never catch up with us.” When he asked the reason, the reply came, “Because we performed the ‘Esha Salaah in jamaat.” (Taareekh Baghdad vol. 16, pg. 26)

Lessons:

1. The reward of performing salaah with jamaat is a unique opportunity that cannot be replaced once missed. It is one of those deeds whose virtue is tied to its moment; once that moment passes, no amount of repetition can fully recreate its reward. This reality becomes evident in the experience of ‘Ubaidullah (rahimahullah). Despite performing the ‘Esha Salaah twenty-seven times out of deep remorse, his dream showed that nothing equalled the original jamaat. The riders racing ahead symbolised a reward attached specifically to the congregational salaah, not merely to repeating the action later.

2. A living heart feels the loss of a spiritual opportunity, even when the lapse was unintentional and excusable. Despite missing the jamaat salaah unintentionally, ‘Ubaidullah’s (rahimahullah) heart tightened with sorrow. Rather than accepting it as something that “just happened,” he went from tribe to tribe across Basrah, hoping to still find a congregation.

3. Worldly or social engagements, even when noble, can sometimes cause one to miss an opportunity of far greater spiritual value. Hospitality is a noble act and carries immense virtue, yet even a good deed may unintentionally overshadow something more important. This is what happened to ‘Ubaidullah (rahimahullah). While honouring his guest, he became absorbed until the time of jamaat slipped away. This reminds us to remain mindful during busy moments — safeguarding what is essential in our connection with Allah Ta‘ala, and ensuring that one good deed does not cause the loss of another that is far more precious.

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