Allamah Suyuti (r.a.)has written that using an ‘Asa (Staff) is a sign of a believer and it is a sunnah of the Ambiyaa alayhimussalaam
Hasan al-Basri (r,a,) has mentioned a few specialities of the ‘Asa:
• It is a sunnah of the Ambiyaa alayhimussalaam
• It is an adornment of the pious people
• It is a weapon against the enemy
• It is an aid for a person who is weak and old
Allamah Qurtubi (r.a.) has mentioned the following
• Shaytaan flees from a believer when he has an ‘Asa
• Evil people and hypocrites are awed by him
• It could be used as a sutrah in salah
• It is a source of relief when tired
Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Unays (r.a.) narrates that when he came to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) he was leaning on an ‘Asa’, and Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) gave this ‘Asa’ to him and instructed him to use it, saying that people who use the ‘Asa will number very few on the day of Judgement. Tabrani / Sirat Vol.7 Page 589
When this Sahabi passed away, the ‘Asa of Nabi was buried with him, as a source of blessings. – Musannaf Vol. 3 Page 185
(Taken from As-Shamaa’il al-Kubra by Mufti Muhammad Irshad Qasmi
al-Nawawi (r.a.) mentions that al-Shafi`i (r.a.) used a walking stick for which he was asked: “Why do you carry a stick when you are neither old nor ailing?” He replied: “To remember I am only a traveller in this world.”
حديث الحكم بن حزن أخرجه أبو داود (1 / 659 – ط عزت عبيد دعاس) وحسنه ابن حجر في التلخيص (2 / 65 – شركة الطباعة الفنية)
Narrated al-Hakam bin Hazn (Radhiyallahu Anhu):
(…) We attended the Friday prayer with the Prophet (ﷺ) and he (ﷺ) stood leaning on a sword or a bow or a staff. [Reported by Abu Dawud].
Source: أبو داود
2.
“ويتقلد الخطيب السيف في كل بلدة فتحت بالسيف كذا في شرح الطحاوي”
“The (Imam) Khatib shall hold the sword in his hands in every town which was conquered by sword as stated in (Isbijabi’s) Sharh on (Mukhtasar) at-Tahawi”.
(و) إذا قام يكون (السيف بيساره متكئا عليه في كل بلدة فتحت عنوة) ليريهم أنها فتحت بالسيف فإذا رجعتم عن الإسلام فذلك باق بأيدي المسلمين يقاتلونكم به حتى ترجعوا إلى الإسلام (و) يخطب (بدونه) أي: السيف (في) كل (بلدة فتحت صلحاً) ومدينة الرسول فتحت بالقرآن([2]) فيخطب فيها بلا سيف ومكة فتحت بالسيف.
Source 2: (not an endorsement of the person tweeting this)
5.
Shaykh سيف الله mentions:
The Imâm and exegete al-Qurtubî even reports the consensus (ijmâ`) of scholars on this subject, namely, that the khatîb preaches by leaning on a sword or a staff:
والإجماع منعقد على أن الخطيب يخطب متوكّئاً على سيف أو عصا
We have very old words on this subject such as that of jurist Abû al-Hassan al-Rastaghfanî al-Samarqandî al-Hanafî (d.345h), who was among the companions of Abû Mansûr al-Mâturîdî:
كل بلدة فتحت عنوة بالسيف يخطب الخاطب على منبرها بالسيف، ليريهم أنها فتحت بالسيف، فإذا رجعتم عن الإسلام فذلك باق في أيدي المسلمين نقاتلكم به حتى ترجعوا إلى الإسلام، وكل بلدة أسلم أهلها طوعاً يخطبون بلا سيف، ومدينة الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم فتحت بالقرآن فيخطب بلا سيف، ومكة فتحت بالسيف فيخطب مع السيف.
6.
What is the reason for the Imam to hold the staff at the time of the Khutbah of Jumuah? Q. What is the reason for the Imam to hold the staff at the time of the Khutbah of Jumuah?
A. It is a preferred act (Mustahab) for the Imaam/Khateeb to hold a staff (Asaa) with his left hand whilst delivering the Khutbah of Jumuah.
The scholars of Jurisprudence (Fuqahaa) have written that if the Muslims conquer a city by the sword, the Imaam should hold a sword whilst delivering the Khutbah, signifying the authority of the Muslims.
However, if the Muslims do not conquer a city by the sword but through the efforts of propagating Islam or there is a truce/agreement in place, then the Imaam may hold a staff whilst delivering the Khutbah. (Shaami 2/163/Fatawaa Darul Uloom Zakariyya 2/706)
Note: The above will be preferred (Mustahab) provided that it is not considered obligatory, compulsory or an emphasized Sunnah act.
Jaalhaque 