مسند امام احمد بن حنبل · Hadith 2206

It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas (RA) that a man came to Umar and said: A woman cameto buy something, and I took her into a closet and did something that was less than intercourse. He said: Woe to you! Perhaps she is the wife of someone who is away (fighting in jihad) for the sake of Allah? He said: Yes. He said: Go to Abu Bakr and ask him. So he went to him and asked him, and he said: Perhaps she is the wife of someone who is away (fighting in jihad) for the sake of Allah? And he said the same as 'Umar said. Then he went to the Prophet (PBUH) and told him something similar, and he said: "Perhaps she is the wife of someone who is away (fighting in jihad) for the sake of Allah?" Then Qur'an was revealed: "And perform As-Salat (lqamatns- Salat), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salat (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice)" [Hood 11:114]. He said: O Messenger of Allah, is it just for me or is it for all the people? 'Umar struck his chest with his hand and said: No, do not think that; rather it is for all the people. And the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: " 'Umar is right."

Translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan · Reviewed by Islamic University of Madinah · Published March 2020