Sharing a Camel

Syeikh Abu 'Abdurrahman Muhammad 'Ali 'Ajaal
Fiqh Class
Syeikh Abu 'Abdurrahman was teaching about Solat al-Jumu'ah, and he read to us the famous hadith concerning early attendance to Solat al-Jum'ah:

Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu 'anhu) narrated, the Apostle of Allah (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) said, "Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath of Janaba and then goes for the prayer (in the first hour i.e. early), it is as if he had sacrificed a camel (in Allah's cause); and whoever goes in the second hour it is as if he had sacrificed a cow; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the Khutba), the angels present themselves to listen to the Khutba."

[al-Bukhari]

As usual, Syeikh Abu 'Abdurrahman will entertain any questions from the audience. A boy raised his hand and asked: "O syeikh! What if there are five person who go to the prayer in the first hour?" Syeikh Abu 'Abdurrahman said: "What's the problem? All of them will get the camel." The boy replied: "But someone has to help cut the camel into five parts so that they can share the camel. How can we cut the camel and make sure that each of them receive equal amount?"

The audience bursts with laughters. The syeikh said: "O my son! Even if all people on this earth go to the prayer in the first hour, Allah will reward one camel for each of them."