Prayer

وَعَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جَدِّهِ قَالَ: نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ تَنَاشُدِ الْأَشْعَارِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَعَنِ الْبَيْعِ وَالِاشْتِرَاءِ فِيهِ وَأَنْ يَتَحَلَّقَ النَّاسُ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ قَبْلَ الصَّلَاةِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد وَالتِّرْمِذِيّ

‘Amr b. Shu'aib on his father’s authority reported his grandfather as saying that God’s Messenger prohibited the recitation of poems in a mosque, buying and selling in it, and sitting in a circle in a mosque on Friday before the prayer. Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: " إِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ مَنْ يَبِيعُ أَوْ يَبْتَاعُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَقُولُوا: لَا أَرْبَحَ اللَّهُ تِجَارَتَكَ. وَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ مَنْ يَنْشُدُ فِيهِ ضَالَّةً فَقُولُوا: لَا رَدَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ". رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَالدَّارِمِيُّ

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying: When you see anyone buying or selling in a mosque, say, “May God not make your trading profitable!” And when you see anyone calling out in it about something lost, say, “May God not restore it to you.” Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it.

وَعَنْ حَكِيمِ بْنِ حِزَامٍ قَالَ: نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ يُسْتَقَادَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَأَنْ يُنْشَدَ فِيهِ الْأَشْعَارُ وَأَنْ تُقَامَ فِيهِ الْحُدُودُ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ فِي سُنَنِهِ وَصَاحِبُ جَامِعِ الْأُصُولِ فِيهِ عَنْ حَكِيمٍ وَفِي المصابيح عَن جَابر

Hakim b. Hizam said that God's Messenger prohibited retaliation being taken in a mosque, the recitation of poems in it, and the infliction of punishment in it. Abu Dawud in his Sunan and the author of Jami‘ al-usul ( Ibn al-Athir) in his work transmitted it from Hakim, but in al-Masabih it is transmitted from Jabir.

وَعَن مُعَاوِيَة بن قُرَّة عَنْ أَبِيهِ: أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نَهَى عَنْ هَاتَيْنِ الشَّجَرَتَيْنِ يَعْنِي الْبَصَلَ وَالثُّومَ وَقَالَ: «مَنْ أَكَلَهُمَا فَلَا يَقْرَبَنَّ مَسْجِدنَا» . وَقَالَ: «إِن كُنْتُم لابد آكليهما فأميتوهما طبخا» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Mu'awiya said on the authority of his father that God’s Messenger forbade these two plants, i e., onions and garlic, and said, “He who eats them must not come near our mosque.” He also said, “If you must eat them, suppress their odour* by cooking.” * Lit. put them to death. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «الْأَرْضُ كُلُّهَا مَسْجِدٌ إِلَّا الْمَقْبَرَةَ وَالْحَمَّامَ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ والدارمي

Abu Sa'id reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The whole earth is a mosque, with the exception of a graveyard and a bath.” Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ يُصَلَّى فِي سَبْعَةِ مَوَاطِنَ: فِي الْمَزْبَلَةِ وَالْمَجْزَرَةِ وَالْمَقْبَرَةِ وَقَارِعَةِ الطَّرِيقِ وَفِي الْحَمَّامِ وَفِي مَعَاطِنِ الْإِبِلِ وَفَوْقَ ظَهْرِ بَيْتِ اللَّهِ ". رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَابْنُ مَاجَهْ

Ibn ‘Umar said that there were seven places in which God’s Messenger forbade people to pray: a dunghill, a slaughterhouse, a graveyard, the middle of the road, a bath, places where camels kneel to drink, and on the roof of God’s House. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «صَلُّوا فِي مَرَابِضِ الْغَنَمِ وَلَا تُصَلُّوا فِي أَعْطَانِ الْإِبِلِ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Pray in sheep-folds, but not where camels kneel to drink.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ زَائِرَاتِ الْقُبُورِ وَالْمُتَّخِذِينَ عَلَيْهَا الْمَسَاجِدَ وَالسُّرُجَ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد وَالتِّرْمِذِيّ وَالنَّسَائِيّ

Ibn ‘Abbas said that God’s Messenger cursed women who visited graves, people who put mosques there and those who lit lamps there. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it.

وَعَن أبي أُمَامَة قَالَ: إِنَّ حَبْرًا مِنَ الْيَهُودِ سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أَيُّ الْبِقَاعِ خَيْرٌ؟ فَسَكَتَ عَنْهُ وَقَالَ: «أَسْكُتُ حَتَّى يَجِيءَ جِبْرِيلُ» فَسَكَتَ وَجَاءَ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ فَسَأَلَ فَقَالَ: مَا المسؤول عَنْهَا بِأَعْلَمَ مِنَ السَّائِلِ وَلَكِنْ أَسْأَلُ رَبِّيَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى. ثُمَّ قَالَ جِبْرِيلُ: يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنِّي دَنَوْتُ مِنَ اللَّهِ دُنُوًّا مَا دَنَوْتُ مِنْهُ قطّ. قَالَ: وَكَيف كَانَ ياجبريل؟ قَالَ: كَانَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفَ حِجَابٍ مِنْ نُورٍ. فَقَالَ: شَرُّ الْبِقَاعِ أَسْوَاقُهَا وَخَيْرُ الْبِقَاع مساجدها

Abu Umama said that a Jewish doctor asked the Prophet what places were best, but he did not answer his question, saying, “I shall say nothing till Gabriel comes.” So he remained silent, and when Gabriel came he asked him, but he replied, “The one who is asked knows no more than the one who asks, but I shall ask my Lord.” Later Gabriel said, “Muhammad, I approached my Lord nearer than I have ever come before.” When Muhammad asked about that, he replied, “Between Him and me there were seventy thousand veils of light, and He said that the worst places were their markets and the best their mosques.”* *The source of the tradition is not given in the text. The editor of the Damascus edition says it comes rightly from Ibn Hibban from Ibn ‘Umar.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «مَنْ جَاءَ مَسْجِدي هَذَا لم يَأْته إِلَّا لِخَيْرٍ يَتَعَلَّمُهُ أَوْ يُعَلِّمُهُ فَهُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَمَنْ جَاءَ لِغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الرَّجُلِ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى مَتَاعِ غَيْرِهِ» . رَوَاهُ ابْنُ مَاجَهْ وَالْبَيْهَقِيُّ فِي شُعَبِ الْإِيمَانِ

Abu Huraira said that he heard God’s Messenger say, “If anyone comes to this mosque of mine, coming only for some good which he will learn or teach, he ranks a mujahid in God’s path; but if anyone comes for some other purpose, he ranks as a man who looks at another’s property.” Ibn Majah and Baihaqi, in Shu'ab al-iman, transmitted it.

وَعَنِ الْحَسَنِ مُرْسَلًا قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ يَكُونُ حَدِيثُهُمْ فِي مَسَاجِدِهِمْ فِي أَمْرِ دُنْيَاهُمْ. فَلَا تُجَالِسُوهُمْ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ فِيهِمْ حَاجَةٌ» . رَوَاهُ الْبَيْهَقِيّ فِي شعب الْإِيمَان

Al-Hasan reported in mursal form that God's Messenger said, “A time is coming when people will talk in their mosques about their worldly affairs, so do not sit with them, for God has nothing to do with them.” Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman.

وَعَنِ السَّائِبِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ قَالَ: كُنْتُ نَائِمًا فِي الْمَسْجِد فحصبني رجل فَنَظَرت فَإِذا عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ فَقَالَ اذْهَبْ فَأْتِنِي بِهَذَيْنِ فَجِئْتُهُ بِهِمَا فَقَالَ: مِمَّنْ أَنْتُمَا أَوْ مِنْ أَيْنَ أَنْتُمَا قَالَا: مِنْ أَهْلِ الطَّائِفِ. قَالَ: لَوْ كُنْتُمَا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ لَأَوْجَعْتُكُمَا تَرْفَعَانِ أَصْوَاتَكُمَا فِي مَسْجِدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

As-Sa'ib b. Yazid said that when he was sleeping in the mosque a man threw a pebble at him, and when he looked he saw that it was ‘Umar b. al-Khattab, who said, “Go and bring me these two men.” He brought them and ‘Umar asked them what tribe they belonged to, or what place they came from. On their replying that they belonged to at-Ta’if, he said, “If you had belonged to Medina I would have given you a beating for raising your voices in the mosque of God’s Messenger. Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَن مَالك قَالَ: بَنَى عُمَرُ رَحَبَةً فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ تُسَمَّى الْبُطَيْحَاءَ وَقَالَ مَنْ كَانَ يُرِيدُ أَنَّ يَلْغَطَ أَوْ يُنْشِدَ شِعْرًا أَوْ يَرْفَعَ صَوْتَهُ فَلْيَخْرُجْ إِلَى هَذِهِ الرَّحَبَةِ. رَوَاهُ فِي الْمُوَطَّأِ

Malik said that ‘Umar built a courtyard called al-Butaiha’ in the neighbourhood of the mosque and said, “If anyone wants to make a noise, or recite poetry, or raise his voice, he must go out to this courtyard.” He transmitted it in al-Muwatta'.

وَعَن أنس: رَأَى النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نُخَامَةً فِي الْقِبْلَةِ فَشَقَّ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى رُئِيَ فِي وَجهه فَقَامَ فحكه بِيَدِهِ فَقَالَ: «إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا قَامَ فِي صلَاته فَإِنَّمَا يُنَاجِي ربه أَو إِن رَبَّهُ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْقِبْلَةِ فَلَا يَبْزُقَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ قِبَلَ قِبْلَتِهِ وَلَكِنْ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ أَوْ تَحْتَ قَدَمِهِ» ثُمَّ أَخَذَ طَرَفَ رِدَائِهِ فَبَصَقَ فِيهِ ثُمَّ رَدَّ بَعْضَهُ عَلَى بَعْضٍ فَقَالَ: «أَوْ يفعل هَكَذَا» . رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Anas said that the Prophet saw some mucus in the direction of the qibla and his displeasure was apparent in his face, so he got up, scraped it with his hand and said, “When one of you gets up to pray, he is holding intimate converse only with his Lord, and his Lord is between him and the qibla, so none of you must spit in the direction of the qibla, but towards his left side, or under his foot.” Then he took the end of his cloak, spat in it, folded it up and said, “Or he may do thus.” Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَن السَّائِب بن خَلاد - وَهُوَ رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنْ رَجُلًا أَمَّ قَوْمًا فَبَصَقَ فِي الْقِبْلَةِ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَنْظُرُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حِينَ فَرَغَ: «لَا يُصَلِّي لَكُمْ» . فَأَرَادَ بَعْدَ ذَلِك أَن يُصَلِّي لَهُم فمنعوه وَأَخْبرُوهُ بِقَوْلِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ: نَعَمْ وَحَسِبْتُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «إِنَّكَ آذيت الله وَرَسُوله» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

As-Sa'ib b. Khallad, who was one of the Prophet's companions, said: A man led some people in prayer and spat in the direction of the qibla. Having seen this, God’s Messenger said to the people at the end of the prayer, “He must not lead you in prayer.” The man wanted to lead them in prayer some time afterwards, but they prevented him and told him what God's Messenger had said. He mentioned that to God’s Messenger, who replied, “Yes.” And I think he added, “You have harmed God and His Messenger.’’ Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ قَالَ: احْتَبَسَ عَنَّا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ذَاتَ غَدَاة عَن صَلَاة الصُّبْح حَتَّى كدنا نتراءى عين الشَّمْس فَخرج سَرِيعا فثوب بِالصَّلَاةِ فَصَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَتَجَوَّزَ فِي صَلَاتِهِ فَلَمَّا سَلَّمَ دَعَا بِصَوْتِهِ فَقَالَ لَنَا عَلَى مَصَافِّكُمْ كَمَا أَنْتُمْ ثُمَّ انْفَتَلَ إِلَيْنَا ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَا إِنِّي سَأُحَدِّثُكُمْ مَا حَبَسَنِي عَنْكُمُ الْغَدَاةَ إِنِّي قُمْتُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَوَضَّأْتُ وَصَلَّيْتُ مَا قُدِّرَ لِي فَنَعَسْتُ فِي صَلَاتِي حَتَّى اسْتَثْقَلْتُ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِرَبِّي تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى فِي أَحْسَنِ صُورَةٍ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ قُلْتُ لَبَّيْكَ رَبِّ قَالَ فِيمَ يخْتَصم الْمَلأ الْأَعْلَى قلت لَا أَدْرِي رب قَالَهَا ثَلَاثًا قَالَ فَرَأَيْتُهُ وَضَعَ كَفَّهُ بَيْنَ كَتِفَيَّ حَتَّى وَجَدْتُ بَرْدَ أَنَامِلِهِ بَيْنَ ثَدْيَيَّ فَتَجَلَّى لِي كُلُّ شَيْءٍ وَعَرَفْتُ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ قُلْتُ لَبَّيْكَ رَبِّ قَالَ فِيمَ يَخْتَصِمُ الْمَلأ الْأَعْلَى قلت فِي الْكَفَّارَات قَالَ مَا هُنَّ قُلْتُ مَشْيُ الْأَقْدَامِ إِلَى الْجَمَاعَاتِ وَالْجُلُوسُ فِي الْمَسَاجِد بَعْدَ الصَّلَوَاتِ وَإِسْبَاغُ الْوَضُوءِ حِينَ الْكَرِيهَاتِ قَالَ ثُمَّ فِيمَ؟ قُلْتُ: فِي الدَّرَجَاتِ. قَالَ: وَمَا هن؟ إطْعَام الطَّعَام ولين الْكَلَام وَالصَّلَاة وَالنَّاس نيام. ثمَّ قَالَ: سل قل اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فِعْلَ الْخَيْرَاتِ وَتَرْكَ الْمُنْكَرَاتِ وَحُبَّ الْمَسَاكِينِ وَأَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي وَتَرْحَمَنِي وَإِذَا أَرَدْتَ فِتْنَةً قوم فتوفني غير مفتون أَسأَلك حَبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يَحْبُكُ وَحُبَّ عَمَلٍ يُقَرِّبُنِي إِلَى حبك ". فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّهَا حَقٌّ فَادْرُسُوهَا ثُمَّ تَعَلَّمُوهَا» . رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ: هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ وَسَأَلْتُ مُحَمَّد ابْن إِسْمَاعِيل عَن هَذَا الحَدِيث فَقَالَ: هَذَا حَدِيث صَحِيح

Mu'adh b. Jabal said: God’s Messenger was detained one morning from observing the prayer with us till the sun had almost appeared over the horizon. He then came cut quickly, and when the iqama had been uttered he conducted the prayer in a shortened form; then when he had given the salutation he called out to us saying, “Keep to your rows as you were.” Then turning to us he said, “I shall tell you what detained me from you this morning. I got up during the night, performed ablution, and prayed what I could; but during my prayer I dozed and was overcome, and there and then I saw my Lord in the most beautiful form. He addressed me by name, and when I replied, ‘At Thy service, my Lord,’ He asked, ‘What do the angels near My presence dispute about?’ and I replied that I did not know. He asked it three times. Then I saw Him put the palm of His hand between my shoulder-blades, so that I experienced the coolness of His fingers between my nipples so everything became clear to me and I attained knowledge. He then addressed me by name, and when I replied, ‘At Thy service, my Lord,’ He asked, ‘What do the angels near My presence dispute about?’ I replied, ‘Expiation.’ He asked what they were, and I replied, ‘Walking on foot to the congregational prayers, sitting in the mosques after the prayers are over, and performing complete ablution in difficult circumstances. He asked what next they disputed about, and when I said it was about degrees, He asked what they were and I replied, ‘Providing food, speaking gently, and praying at night when people are asleep.’ He then told me to make a request, and I said, ‘O God, I ask Thee for power to do good things and abandon objectionable things, for love towards the poor, that Thou shouldest forgive me and show mercy to me, and that when Thou intendest to test any people Thou wilt take me to Thyself without being led astray. And I ask for Thy love, the love of those who love Thee, and a love of doing things which will bring me near to Thy love.’” Then God’s Messenger said, “It is true, so study it and learn it.” Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Tirmidhi said, “This is a hasan sahih tradition. I asked Muhammad b. Isma'il (Al-Bukhari) about this tradition, and he said it is a sahih tradition.”

وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ إِذا دخل الْمَسْجِد قَالَ: «أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَبِوَجْهِهِ الْكَرِيمِ وَسُلْطَانِهِ الْقَدِيمِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ» قَالَ: «فَإِذَا قَالَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ الشَّيْطَان حفظ مني سَائِر الْيَوْم» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr b. al-‘As said that God’s Messenger used to say on entering the mosque, “I seek refuge in God the mighty, in His noble being, and in His power which is from everlasting from the accursed devil.” He said that when the devil heard that he said, “He is protected from me for the rest of the day.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَن عَطاء بْنِ يَسَارٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم: «اللَّهُمَّ لَا تجْعَل قَبْرِي وثنا يعبد اشْتَدَّ غَضَبُ اللَّهِ عَلَى قَوْمٍ اتَّخَذُوا قُبُورَ أَنْبِيَائهمْ مَسَاجِد» . رَوَاهُ مَالك مُرْسلا

‘Ata’ b. Yasar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “O God, do not let my grave become an idol which is worshipped. God’s anger is severe against people who take the graves of their prophets as mosques.” Malik transmitted it in mursal form.

(وَعَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَسْتَحِبُّ الصَّلَاةَ فِي الْحِيطَانِ. قَالَ بَعْضُ رُوَاتِهِ يَعْنِي الْبَسَاتِينَ رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ: هَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيبٌ لَا نَعْرِفُهُ إِلَّا مِنْ حَدِيثِ الْحَسَنِ بن أبي جَعْفَر وَقد ضعفه يحيى ابْن سعيد وَغَيره

Mu'adh b. Jabal said that the Prophet used to like to pray in al-hitan*. One of its transmitters says that it means gardens. * I have given the Arabic word because it is explained in the text. Why it should need to be explained is not clear. Tirmidhi transmitted it and said, “This is a gharib tradition which we know only among the traditions of al-Hasan b. Abu Ja'far whom Yahya b. Sa'id and others have declared to be weak.”

وَعَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «صَلَاةُ الرَّجُلِ فِي بَيْتِهِ بِصَلَاةٍ وَصَلَاتُهُ فِي مَسْجِدِ الْقَبَائِلِ بِخَمْسٍ وَعِشْرِينَ صَلَاةً وَصَلَاتُهُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الَّذِي يجمع فِيهِ بخسمائة صَلَاةٍ وَصَلَاتُهُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى بِخَمْسِينَ أَلْفِ صَلَاةٍ وَصَلَاتُهُ فِي مَسْجِدِي بِخَمْسِينَ أَلْفِ صَلَاةٍ وَصلَاته فِي الْمَسْجِد الْحَرَام بِمِائَة ألف صَلَاة» . رَوَاهُ ابْن مَاجَه

Anas b. Malik reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A man’s prayer in his house is equivalent to a single observance of prayer, his prayer in a tribal mosque is equivalent to twenty-five, his prayer in a mosque in which the Friday prayer is observed is equivalent to five hundred, his prayer in the Aqsa mosque is equivalent to fifty thousand, his prayer in my mosque is equivalent to fifty thousand, and his prayer in the sacred mosque (the Ka’ba) is equivalent to a hundred thousand.” Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيُّ مَسْجِدٍ وُضِعَ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَوَّلُ؟ قَالَ: «الْمَسْجِدُ الْحَرَامُ» قَالَ: قُلْتُ: ثُمَّ أَيْ؟ قَالَ: «ثُمَّ الْمَسْجِدُ الْأَقْصَى» . قُلْتُ: كَمْ بَيْنَهُمَا؟ قَالَ: «أَرْبَعُونَ عَامًا ثُمَّ الْأَرْضُ لَكَ مَسْجِدٌ فَحَيْثُمَا أَدْرَكَتْكَ الصَّلَاةُ فصل»

Abu Dharr said that he asked God’s Messenger which mosque was set up first in the earth and was told that it was the sacred mosque. He asked which came next and was told that it was the Aqsa mosque. He asked how long a space of time separated their building and the Prophet told him it was forty years, adding, “Then the earth is a mosque for you, so pray wherever you are at the time of prayer.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

عَن عمر بن أبي سَلمَة قَالَ: رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي فِي ثَوْبٍ وَاحِدٍ مُشْتَمِلًا بِهِ فِي بَيْتِ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ وَاضِعًا طَرَفَيْهِ عَلَى عَاتِقيهِ

“Umar b. Abu Salama said that he saw God’s Messenger praying in Umm Salama’s house girded with a single garment, placing its two ends over his shoulders.* * This is explained as meaning that the ends were each over a shoulder and under the other armpit and tied over the chest. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم: «لَا يصلين أحدكُم فِي الثَّوْب الْوَاحِد لَيْسَ على عَاتِقيهِ مِنْهُ شَيْء»

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “None of you must pray in a single garment of which no part comes over his shoulders.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «مَنْ صَلَّى فِي ثَوْبٍ وَاحِدٍ فليخالف بَين طَرفَيْهِ» . رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

He said that he heard God’s Messenger say, “If anyone prays in a single garment he should cross the two ends.” Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي خَمِيصَةٍ لَهَا أَعْلَامٌ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى أَعْلَامِهَا نَظْرَةً فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ: «اذْهَبُوا بِخَمِيصَتِي هَذِهِ إِلَى أَبِي جَهْمٍ وَأَتُوْنِي بِأَنْبِجَانِيَّةِ أَبِي جهم فَإِنَّهَا ألهتني آنِفا عَن صَلَاتي» وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ لِلْبُخَارِيِّ قَالَ: " كُنْتُ أَنْظُرُ إِلَى علمهَا وَأَنا فِي الصَّلَاة فَأَخَاف أَن يفتنني

‘A’isha said that God’s Messenger prayed in a woollen garment of hers with markings, and he gave a look at the markings. When he had finished he said, “Take this woollen garment of mine to Abu Jahm and bring me Abu Jahm’s Anbijani* garment, for it has distracted me just now from my prayer.” * A type of garment from the Syrian town of Manbij. The word in the text is anbijaniya. Manbijaniya is perhaps more common. See Lane, Lexicon, p. 2755 Pt. III (Bukhari and Muslim.) In a version by Bukhari he said, “I was looking at its markings while I was engaged in prayer, and I am afraid lest it may beguile me.”

وَعَن أنس قَالَ: كَانَ قِرَامٌ لِعَائِشَةَ سَتَرَتْ بِهِ جَانِبَ بَيْتِهَا فَقَالَ لَهَا النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَمِيطِي عَنَّا قِرَامَكِ هَذَا فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَزَالُ تَصَاوِيرُهُ تَعْرِضُ لِي فِي صَلَاتِي» . رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Anas said that ‘A’isha had a figured curtain with which she secluded the side of her house, but the Prophet said to her, “Remove this figured curtain of yours from us, for its pictures keep interfering with my prayer.” Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ قَالَ: أُهْدِيَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَرُّوجَ حَرِيرٍ فَلَبِسَهُ ثُمَّ صَلَّى فِيهِ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ فَنَزَعَهُ نَزْعًا شَدِيدًا كَالْكَارِهِ لَهُ ثمَّ قَالَ: " لَا يَنْبَغِي هَذَا لِلْمُتقين

‘Uqba b. ‘Amir said that God’s Messenger was presented with a silk gown which he put on and wore while praying. Then when he withdrew he pulled it off vigorously as though he disapproved of it, saying, “This is not fitting for the pious.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

عَن سَلمَة بن الْأَكْوَع قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ أَصِيدُ أَفَأُصَلِّي فِي الْقَمِيصِ الْوَاحِدِ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ وَازْرُرْهُ وَلَوْ بِشَوْكَةٍ ". رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَرَوَى النَّسَائِيّ نَحوه

Salama b. al-Akwa‘said that he told God’s Messenger he was a man who went out hunting, and asked whether he might pray in a single shirt. He replied, “Yes, but fasten it, even if it should be with a thorn.” Abu Dawud transmitted it and Nasa’i transmitted something similar.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: بَيْنَمَا رَجُلٌ يُصَلِّي مسبلا إِزَارِهِ قَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «اذْهَبْ فَتَوَضَّأ» فَذهب وَتَوَضَّأ ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا لَكَ أَمَرْتَهُ أَنْ يَتَوَضَّأَ؟ قَالَ: «إِنَّهُ كَانَ يُصَلِّي وَهُوَ مُسْبِلٌ إِزَارَهُ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى لَا يَقْبَلُ صَلَاةَ رَجُلٍ مُسْبِلٍ إِزَارَهُ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Abu Huraira said that while a man was praying letting his lower garment trail, God’s Messenger said to him, “Go and perform ablution.” After he had gone to perform ablution and returned a man asked God’s Messenger why he had ordered him to perform ablution, and he said “He was praying with his lower garment trailing, and God does not accept the prayer of a man who lets his lower garment trail.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا تُقْبَلُ صَلَاةُ حَائِضٍ إِلَّا بِخِمَارٍ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد وَالتِّرْمِذِيّ

‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The prayer of a woman who has reached puberty is not accepted unless she is wearing a veil.”* * A veil (khimar) covering the head and the breasts. Cf. Al-Quran; 24:31. Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ أَنَّهَا سَأَلَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أَتُصَلِّي الْمَرْأَةُ فِي درع وخمار لَيْسَ عَلَيْهَا إِزَارٌ؟ قَالَ: «إِذَا كَانَ الدِّرْعُ سَابِغًا يُغَطِّي ظُهُورَ قَدَمَيْهَا» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَذَكَرَ جمَاعَة وَقَفُوهُ على أم سَلمَة

Umm Salama said that she asked God's Messenger whether a woman might pray in a shift and veil without wearing a lower garment. He replied, “If the shift is ample and covers the surface of her feet.” Abu Dawud transmitted it and he mentioned a number who did not trace it beyond Umm Salama.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: نَهَى عَنِ السَّدْلِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَأَنْ يُغَطِّيَ الرَّجُلُ فَاهُ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ

Abu Huraira said that God’s Messenger forbade trailing garments during prayer and that a man should cover his mouth. Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

وَعَنْ شَدَّادِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «خَالِفُوا الْيَهُودَ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يُصَلُّونَ فِي نِعَالِهِمْ وَلَا خِفَافِهِمْ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Shaddad b. Aus reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Act differently from the Jews, for they do not pray in their sandals or their shoes.”* * Khuff (pl. khifaf), an article of footwear which came up above the ankle. Traditions tell that the Prophet allowed pilgrims to wear the khuff only when unable to procure sandals, but said they must be cut to come below the ankle. Cf. Bukhari, Hajj, 21, 23; Libas, 8, 4, 15, 73. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَن أبي سعيد الْخُدْرِيّ قَالَ: بَيْنَمَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي بِأَصْحَابِهِ إِذْ خلع نَعْلَيْه فَوَضَعَهُمَا عَنْ يَسَارِهِ فَلَمَّا رَأَى ذَلِكَ الْقَوْمُ أَلْقَوْا نِعَالَهُمْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ صَلَاتَهُ قَالَ: «مَا حَمَلَكُمْ على إلقائكم نعالكم؟» قَالُوا: رَأَيْنَاك ألقيت نعليك فَأَلْقَيْنَا نِعَالَنَا. فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنْ جِبْرِيلَ أَتَانِي فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَنَّ فيهمَا قذرا إِذا جَاءَ أحدكُم إِلَى الْمَسْجِدَ فَلْيَنْظُرْ فَإِنْ رَأَى فِي نَعْلَيْهِ قَذَرًا أَو أَذَى فَلْيَمْسَحْهُ وَلِيُصَلِّ فِيهِمَا» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالدَّارِمِيُّ

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said: While God’s Messenger was leading his companions in prayer he took off his sandals and laid them at his left side; so when the people saw that, they removed their sandals. When he had finished his prayer he asked, "What made you remove your sandals? They replied, “We saw you remove yours, so we removed ours.” God’s Messenger then said, “Gabriel came to me and informed me that there was filth on them. When any of you comes to the mosque he should examine, and if he sees filth on his sandals he should wipe it off and pray in them.” Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ فَلَا يَضَعْ نَعْلَيْهِ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَلَا عَنْ يَسَارِهِ فَتَكُونَ عَنْ يَمِينِ غَيْرِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ لَا يَكُونَ عَنْ يسَاره أحد وليضعهما بَيْنَ رِجْلَيْهِ» . وَفَّى رِوَايَةٍ: «أَوْ لِيُصَلِّ فِيهِمَا» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَرَوَى ابْنُ مَاجَهْ مَعْنَاهُ

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When any of you prays he should not place his sandals at his right or at his left so as to be at the right of someone else, unless no one is at his left, but should place them between his feet.” A version has, “or pray with them on.” Abu Dawud transmitted it and Ibn Majah transmitted something to the same effect.

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ قَالَ: دَخَلْتُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَرَأَيْتُهُ يُصَلِّي عَلَى حَصِيرٍ يَسْجُدُ عَلَيْهِ. قَالَ: وَرَأَيْتُهُ يُصَلِّي فِي ثَوْبٍ وَاحِدٍ مُتَوَشِّحًا بِهِ. رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said, “I visited the Prophet and saw him praying on a reed mat on which he was prostrating himself.” He said, “And I saw him praying in a single garment with part over his shoulder.” Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جَدِّهِ قَالَ: رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي حافيا ومتنعلا. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

‘Amr b. Shu'aib, on his father's authority, said that his grandfather declared he had seen God’s Messenger praying both barefoot and wearing sandals. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْمُنْكَدِرِ قَالَ: صَلَّى جَابِرٌ فِي إِزَارٍ قَدْ عَقَدَهُ مِنْ قِبَلِ قَفَاهُ وثيابه مَوْضُوعَة على المشجب قَالَ لَهُ قَائِلٌ تُصَلِّي فِي إِزَارٍ وَاحِدٍ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا صَنَعْتُ ذَلِكَ لِيَرَانِيَ أَحْمَقُ مِثْلُكَ وَأَيُّنَا كَانَ لَهُ ثَوْبَانِ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Muhammad b. al-Munkadir said that Jabir led them in prayer in lower garment which he had tied at the nape of his neck, his clothes being placed on the clothes-stand. Someone said to him, “You are praying in a single garment.” He replied, “I did that only that a fool like you might see me. Which of us had two garments in the time of God’s Messenger?” Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أُبَيِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ قَالَ: الصَّلَاةُ فِي الثَّوْبِ الْوَاحِدِ سُنَّةٌ كُنَّا نَفْعَلُهُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَلَا يُعَابُ عَلَيْنَا. فَقَالَ ابْنُ مَسْعُودٍ: إِنَّمَا كَانَ ذَاكَ إِذْ كَانَ فِي الثِّيَاب قلَّة فَأَما إِذْ وَسَّعَ اللَّهُ فَالصَّلَاةُ فِي الثَّوْبَيْنِ أَزْكَى. رَوَاهُ أَحْمد

Ubayy b. Ka'b said, “Prayer in a single garment was a practice we followed along with God’s Messenger, and no blame was cast on us.” Ibn Mas'ud said, “That was only when clothing was scarce, but when God enlarged our circumstances prayer in two garments became purer.” Ahmad transmitted it.

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَغْدُو إِلَى الْمُصَلَّى وَالْعَنَزَةُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ تُحْمَلُ وَتُنْصَبُ بِالْمُصَلَّى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَيصَلي إِلَيْهَا. رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Ibn ‘Umar said that the Prophet would go out in the morning* to the place of prayer with a staff in front of him which was carried and set up in front of him in the place of prayer, and he would pray in its direction. * i.e. on the day of the 'Id. Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَن أَبِي جُحَيْفَةَ قَالَ: رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِمَكَّةَ وَهُوَ بِالْأَبْطَحِ فِي قُبَّهٍ حَمْرَاءَ مِنْ أَدَمٍ وَرَأَيْتُ بِلَالًا أَخَذَ وَضُوءَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَرَأَيْتُ النَّاسَ يبتدرون ذَاك الْوَضُوءَ فَمَنْ أَصَابَ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا تَمَسَّحَ بِهِ وَمن لم يصب مِنْهُ شَيْئا أَخَذَ مِنْ بَلَلِ يَدِ صَاحِبِهِ ثُمَّ رَأَيْتُ بِلَالًا أَخَذَ عَنَزَةً فَرَكَزَهَا وَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي حُلَّةٍ حَمْرَاءَ مُشَمِّرًا صَلَّى إِلَى الْعَنَزَةِ بِالنَّاسِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَرَأَيْت النَّاس وَالدَّوَاب يَمرونَ من بَين يَدي العنزة

Abu Juhaifa said, “I saw God's Messenger in Mecca at al-Abtah in a red leather tent, I saw Bilal take the ablution water left by God’s Messenger, and I saw the people racing one another to get to that ablution water. If anyone got any of it he rubbed himself with it, and anyone who did not get any got some of the moisture from his companion’s hand. I then saw Bilal take a staff and fix it in the ground, after which God’s Messenger came out quickly in a red mantle and led the people in two rak'as facing the staff. And I saw people and animals passing in front of the staff.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ نَافِعٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ: أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يُعَرِّضُ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَيصَلي إِلَيْهَا. وَزَادَ الْبُخَارِيُّ قُلْتُ: أَفَرَأَيْتَ إِذَا هَبَّتِ الرِّكَابُ. قَالَ: كَانَ يَأْخُذُ الرَّحْلَ فَيُعَدِّلُهُ فَيُصَلِّي إِلَى آخرته

Nafi’ said on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet used to make his riding-beast kneel between him and the qibla and pray facing it. (Bukhari and Muslim.) Bukhari added that Nafi' asked Ibn ‘Umar, saying, “Tell me what happened when the camels moved away,” to which he replied, “He used to take the saddle, put it straight, and pray facing the back of it.”

وَعَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم: «إِذا وَضَعَ أَحَدُكُمْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِثْلَ مُؤْخِرَةِ الرَّحْلِ فَليصل وَلَا يبال من مر وَرَاء ذَلِك» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Talha b. ‘Ubaidallah reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you places in front of him something such as the back of a saddle, he should pray without caring who passes on the other side of it.” Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَن أبي جهيم قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم: «لَوْ يَعْلَمُ الْمَارُّ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ الْمُصَلِّي مَاذَا عَلَيْهِ لَكَانَ أَنْ يَقِفَ أَرْبَعِينَ خَيْرًا لَهُ مِنْ أَنْ يَمُرَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ» . قَالَ أَبُو النَّضر: لَا أَدْرِي قَالَ: «أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْمًا أَوْ شَهْرًا أَو سنة»

Abu Juhaim reported God’s Messenger as saying, ‘‘If one who passes in front of a man who is praying knew the responsibility he incurs, to stand still for forty would be better for him than to pass in front of him.” Abun Nadr said, “I do not know whether he said forty days, or months, or years.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى شَيْءٍ يَسْتُرُهُ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَأَرَادَ أَحَدٌ أَنْ يَجْتَازَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَلْيَدْفَعْهُ فَإِنْ أَبَى فَلْيُقَاتِلْهُ فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ شَيْطَانٌ» . هَذَا لَفْظُ الْبُخَارِيِّ وَلمُسلم مَعْنَاهُ

Abu Sa'id reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you prays facing something which conceals him from people and someone wishes to pass in front of him, he should turn away; but if he refuses to go, he should turn him away forcibly, for he is only a devil.” This is Bukhari’s wording, and Muslim has something to the same effect.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «تَقْطَعُ الصَّلَاةَ الْمَرْأَةُ وَالْحِمَارُ وَالْكَلْبُ. وَيَقِي ذَلِك مثل مؤخرة الرحل» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A woman, an ass and a dog cut off the prayer, but something like the back of a saddle guards against that.” Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ وَأَنَا مُعْتَرِضَةٌ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْقِبْلَةِ كَاعْتِرَاضِ الْجَنَازَةِ

‘A’isha said, “The Prophet used to pray at night while I was interposed between him and the qibla like a corpse on a bier.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: أَقْبَلْتُ رَاكِبًا عَلَى أَتَانٍ وَأَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ قَدْ نَاهَزْتُ الِاحْتِلَامَ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ بِمِنًى إِلَى غَيْرِ جِدَارٍ فَمَرَرْتُ بَين يَدي الصَّفّ فَنزلت فَأرْسلت الْأَتَانَ تَرْتَعُ وَدَخَلْتُ فِي الصَّفِّ فَلَمْ يُنْكِرْ ذَلِك عَليّ أحد

Ibn ‘Abbas said, “When I was near the age of puberty I came riding on a she-ass and found God’s Messenger leading the people in prayer at Mina with no wall in front of him. I passed in front of part of the row of worshippers, and dismounting, let my she-ass go to pasture and joined the row, and no one objected to that.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَجْعَلْ تِلْقَاءَ وَجْهِهِ شَيْئًا فَإِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَلْيَنْصِبْ عَصَاهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ مَعَهُ عَصَى فَلْيَخْطُطْ خَطًّا ثُمَّ لَا يَضُرُّهُ مَا مَرَّ أَمَامه» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد وَابْن مَاجَه

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of your prays he should put something in front of his face, and if he can find nothing he should set up his stick; but if he has no stick with him he should draw a line, then what passes in front of him will not harm him.” Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَن سهل بن أبي حثْمَة قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى سُتْرَةٍ فَلْيَدْنُ مِنْهَا لَا يَقْطَعِ الشَّيْطَانُ عَلَيْهِ صَلَاتَهُ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Sahl b. Abu Hathma reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you prays facing a sutra* he should keep close to it and not let the devil interrupt his prayer.” * Sutra (covering, screen) is used of an object a worshipper places in front of him in the direction of the qibla when engaging in prayer. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنِ الْمِقْدَادِ بْنِ الْأَسْوَدِ قَالَ: مَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي إِلَى عُودٍ وَلَا عَمُودٍ وَلَا شَجَرَةٍ إِلَّا جَعَلَهُ عَلَى حَاجِبِهِ الْأَيْمَنِ أَوِ الْأَيْسَرِ وَلَا يصمد لَهُ صمدا. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Al-Miqdad b. al-Aswad said, “I never saw God’s Messenger praying in front of a stick, a pillar, or a tree, without having it opposite his right or left eyebrow (i.e. side), and not facing it directly.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: أَتَانَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَنَحْنُ فِي بَادِيَةٍ لَنَا وَمَعَهُ عَبَّاسٌ فَصَلَّى فِي صَحْرَاءَ لَيْسَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ سُتْرَةٌ وَحِمَارَةٌ لَنَا وَكَلْبَةٌ تعبثان بَين يَدَيْهِ فَمَا بالى ذَلِك. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد وللنسائي نَحوه

Al-Fadl b. ‘Abbas said, “God’s Messenger came to us accompanied by ‘Abbas when we were in open country belonging to us. He prayed in a desert with no sutra in front of him, and a she-ass and a bitch of ours were playing in front of him, but he paid no attention to that.” Abu Dawud transmitted it and Nasa’i has something similar.

وَعَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا يَقْطَعُ الصَّلَاةَ شَيْء وادرؤوا مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ شَيْطَانٌ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Abu Sa'id reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Nothing interrupts prayer, but repulse, as much as you can anyone who passes in front of you, for he is just a devil.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

عَن عَائِشَة قَالَتْ: كُنْتُ أَنَامُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَرِجْلَايَ فِي قِبْلَتِهِ فَإِذَا سَجَدَ غَمَزَنِي فَقَبَضْتُ رِجْلِيَ وَإِذَا قَامَ بَسَطْتُهُمَا قَالَتْ: وَالْبُيُوتُ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَيْسَ فِيهَا مَصَابِيحُ

‘A’isha said, “I was sleeping in front of God’s Messenger with my legs between him and the qibla. When he prostrated himself he pinched me and I drew up my legs, and when he stood up I stretched them out.” She added, “At that time there were no lamps in the houses.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَوْ يَعْلَمُ أَحَدُكُمْ مَا لَهُ فِي أَنْ يَمُرَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَخِيهِ مُعْتَرِضًا فِي الصَّلَاةِ كَانَ لَأَنْ يُقِيمَ مِائَةَ عَامٍ خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِنَ الْخُطْوَةِ الَّتِي خَطَا» . رَوَاهُ ابْنُ مَاجَهْ

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If one of you knew what he incurred by passing in front of his brother and interfering with his prayer, it would be better for him to stop a hundred years than to take a single step.” Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَنْ كَعْبِ الْأَحْبَارِ قَالَ: لَوْ يَعْلَمُ الْمَارُّ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ الْمُصَلِّي مَاذَا عَلَيْهِ لَكَانَ أَنْ يُخْسَفَ بِهِ خَيْرًا مِنْ أَنْ يَمُرَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ. وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ: أَهْوَنَ عَلَيْهِ. رَوَاهُ مَالِكٌ

Ka‘b al-Ahbar said, “If one who passes in front of a man who is praying knew what was laid to his charge, it would be better for him to be swallowed up by the earth than to pass in front of him.” A version has “less serious for him.” Malik transmitted it.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى غَيْرِ السُّتْرَةِ فَإِنَّهُ يَقْطَعُ صَلَاتَهُ الْحِمَارُ وَالْخِنْزِيرُ وَالْيَهُودِيُّ وَالْمَجُوسِيُّ وَالْمَرْأَةُ وَتُجْزِئُ عَنْهُ إِذَا مَرُّوا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ عَلَى قَذْفَةٍ بِحَجَرٍ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you prays without a sutra, an ass, a pig, a Jew, a Magian, and a woman cut off his prayer, but it will suffice if they pass in front of him at a distance of over a stone’s throw.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ: أَنَّ رَجُلًا دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ جَالِسٌ فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم: «وَعَلَيْك السَّلَام ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ» . فَرَجَعَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ: «وَعَلَيْكَ السَّلَامُ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ» فَقَالَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ أَوْ فِي الَّتِي بَعْدَهَا عَلِّمْنِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ: «إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَأَسْبِغِ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ بِمَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَسْتَوِّيَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا» . وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ: «ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَسْتَوِيَ قَائِمًا ثمَّ افْعَل ذَلِك فِي صَلَاتك كلهَا»

Abu Huraira said that a man entered the mosque when God’s Messenger was sitting in it and prayed. He then came and said, “Peace be upon you,” and God’s Messenger replied, “And upon you be peace. Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.” He returned and prayed, then came and said, “Peace be upon you,” to which he replied, “And upon you be peace. Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.” On the third or fourth occasion he said, “Teach me, Messenger of God,” so he said: “When you get up to pray perform the ablution perfectly, then face the qibla and say, “God is most great.” Then recite a convenient portion of the Qur’an; then bow and remain quietly in that attitude; then raise yourself and stand erect; then prostrate yourself and remain quietly in that attitude; then raise yourself and sit quietly; then prostrate yourself and remain quietly in that attitude; then raise yourself and sit quietly.” A version has, “Then raise yourself and stand erect; then do that throughout all your prayer.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَسْتَفْتِحُ الصَّلَاةَ بِالتَّكْبِيرِ وَالْقِرَاءَةِ بِ (الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ) وَكَانَ إِذَا رَكَعَ لَمْ يُشْخِصْ رَأْسَهُ وَلَمْ يُصَوِّبْهُ وَلَكِنْ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ وَكَانَ إِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الرُّكُوعِ لَمْ يَسْجُدْ حَتَّى يَسْتَوِيَ قَائِمًا وَكَانَ إِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ السَّجْدَةِ لَمْ يَسْجُدْ حَتَّى يَسْتَوِيَ جَالِسًا وَكَانَ يَقُولُ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ التَّحِيَّةَ وَكَانَ يَفْرِشُ رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَيَنْصِبُ رِجْلَهُ الْيُمْنَى وَكَانَ يَنْهَى عَنْ عُقْبَةِ الشَّيْطَانِ وَيَنْهَى أَنْ يَفْتَرِشَ الرَّجُلُ ذِرَاعَيْهِ افْتِرَاشَ السَّبُعِ وَكَانَ يخْتم الصَّلَاة بِالتَّسْلِيمِ. رَوَاهُ مُسلم

‘A’isha said that God’s Messenger used to begin prayer with the takbir1 and the recitation of “Praise be to God, the Lord of the universe.”2 When he bowed he neither kept his head up nor bent it down, but kept it between these extremes; when he raised his head after bowing he did not prostrate himself till he had stood erect; when he raised head after a prostration he did not prostrate himself again till he had sat up. At the end of every two rak'as he said the tahiya;3 and he used to bend his left foot and raise up the right; he prohibited the devil’s way of sitting on the heels, and he forbade people to spread out their arms like a wild beast. And he used to finish the prayer with the taslim4. Muslim transmitted it. 1. i.e. saying Allahu Akbar (God is most great). 2. Al-Qur’an; 1. 3. This is a part of the prayers which comes at the end of every two rak'as, beginning with at-tahiyat lillah and ending with the testimony that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. Tahiyat is the plural of tahiya and the phrase quoted above is variously explained as meaning that endless existence, or dominion, or kingship, or freedom from all evils, or freedom from all causes of cessation of existence belong to God. Alternatively it is taken in its usual meaning of salutations. 4. Saying, “The peace and mercy of God be upon you,” first with the head turned to the right and then with the head turned to the left. This is said at the end of the prayers.

وَعَن أبي حميد السَّاعِدِيّ قَالَ: فِي نَفَرٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أَنَا أَحْفَظُكُمْ لِصَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ رَأَيْتُهُ إِذَا كَبَّرَ جَعَلَ يَدَيْهِ حِذَاءَ مَنْكِبَيْهِ وَإِذَا رَكَعَ أَمْكَنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنْ رُكْبَتَيْهِ ثُمَّ هَصَرَ ظَهْرَهُ فَإِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ اسْتَوَى حَتَّى يَعُودَ كُلُّ فَقَارٍ مَكَانَهُ فَإِذَا سَجَدَ وَضَعَ يَدَيْهِ غَيْرَ مُفْتَرِشٍ وَلَا قَابِضِهِمَا وَاسْتَقْبَلَ بِأَطْرَافِ أَصَابِعِ رِجْلَيْهِ الْقِبْلَةَ فَإِذَا جَلَسَ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ جَلَسَ على رجله الْيُسْرَى وَنصب الْيُمْنَى وَإِذا جَلَسَ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الْآخِرَةِ قَدَّمَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَنَصَبَ الْأُخْرَى وَقَعَدَ عَلَى مَقْعَدَتِهِ. رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ

Abu Humaid as-Sa'idi said among a company of the companions of God’s Messenger, “I am the one among you who is best versed in the way God’s Messenger prayed. I saw that when he uttered the takbir he placed his hands opposite his shoulders; when he bowed he rested his hands on his knees, then bent his back; when he raised his head he stood erect with his spine straight; when he prostrated himself he placed his arms so that they were not spread out, and the fingers were not drawn in, and the points of his toes were facing the qibla; when he sat up at the end of two rak'as he sat on his left foot and raised the right; and when he sat up after the last rak'a he put forward the left foot, raised the other, and sat on his hips.” Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ: أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَذْوَ مَنْكِبَيْهِ إِذَا افْتَتَحَ الصَّلَاةَ وَإِذَا كَبَّرَ لِلرُّكُوعِ وَإِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الرُّكُوعِ رَفَعَهُمَا كَذَلِكَ وَقَالَ: سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَكَانَ لَا يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ فِي السُّجُودِ

Ibn ‘Umar said that God’s Messenger used to raise his hands opposite his shoulders when he began prayer and when he said the takbir before bowing; and when he raised his head after bowing he raised them in the same way and said, “God listens to him who praises Him. To Thee, our Lord, be the praise!” But he did not do that when he prostrated himself. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ نَافِعٍ: أَنَّ ابْنَ عُمَرَ كَانَ إِذَا دَخَلَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ كَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ وَإِذَا رَكَعَ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ وَإِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ وَإِذَا قَامَ مِنَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ وَرَفَعَ ذَلِكَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ إِلَى نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ

Nafi‘ said that when Ibn ‘Umar began prayer he said the takbir and raised his hands; when he bowed he raised his hands; when he said, “God listens to him who praises Him” he raised his hands; and when he got up at the end of two rak'as he raised his hands. Ibn ‘Umar traced that back to the Prophet. Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَن مَالك بن الْحُوَيْرِث قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا كَبَّرَ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا أُذُنَيْهِ وَإِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الرُّكُوعِ فَقَالَ: سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ فَعَلَ مِثْلَ ذَلِك. وَفِي رِوَايَة: حَتَّى يُحَاذِي بهما فروع أُذُنَيْهِ

Malik b. al-Huwairith said that when God’s Messenger said the takbir he raised his hands and placed them opposite his ears, and when he raised his head after bowing and said, “God listens to him who praises Him,” he did the same. A version has, “and placed them opposite the tops of his ears.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْهُ أَنَّهُ رَأَى النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي فَإِذَا كَانَ فِي وِتْرٍ مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ لَمْ يَنْهَضْ حَتَّى يَسْتَوِيَ قَاعِدًا. رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

He said that he saw the Prophet praying, and when he had prayed an odd number of rak'as he did not stand up till after he had adopted a sitting position. Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَن وَائِل بن حجرأنه رأى النَّبِي صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم رفع يَدَيْهِ حِينَ دَخَلَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ كَبَّرَ ثُمَّ الْتَحَفَ بِثَوْبِهِ ثُمَّ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى الْيُسْرَى فَلَمَّا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ أَخْرَجَ يَدَيْهِ من الثَّوْب ثمَّ رفعهما ثمَّ كبر فَرَكَعَ فَلَمَّا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ فَلَمَّا سَجَدَ سَجَدَ بَيْنَ كَفَّيْهِ. رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Wa’il b. Hujr said that he saw the Prophet raise his hands when he began prayer. He said the takbir, then pulled his garment round him, then placed his right hand on his left. When he was about to bow he took his hands out of his garment, and after he had raised (them and said the takbir he bowed. When he said, “God listens to him who praises Him” he raised his hands, and when he prostrated himself he did it between his hands. Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَن سهل بن سعد قَالَ: كَانَ النَّاسُ يُؤْمَرُونَ أَنْ يَضَعَ الرَّجُلُ الْيَدَ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى ذِرَاعِهِ الْيُسْرَى فِي الصَّلَاةِ. رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Sahl b. Sa'd said that the people received command that a man should place the right hand on the left forearm in prayer. Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ يُكَبِّرُ حِينَ يَقُومُ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ حِينَ يَرْكَعُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: «سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ» حِينَ يَرْفَعُ صُلْبَهُ مِنَ الرَّكْعَةِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ: «رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ» ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ حِينَ يَهْوِي ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ حِينَ يسْجد ثمَّ يكبر حِين يرفع رَأسه يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ كُلِّهَا حَتَّى يَقْضِيَهَا وَيُكَبِّرُ حِينَ يَقُومُ مِنَ الثِّنْتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْجُلُوسِ

Abu Huraira said that when God’s Messenger got up to pray he would say the takbir when standing, then say the takbir when bowing, then say, “God listens to him who praises Him” when coming to an erect position after bowing, then say while standing, “To Thee, our Lord, be the praise,” then say the takbir when getting down for prostration, then say the takbir when he raised his head, then say the takbir when he prostrated himself, then say the takbir when he raised his head. He would do that throughout the whole prayer till he finished it, and he would say the takbir when he got up at the end of two rak'as after adopting the sitting posture. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَفْضَلُ الصَّلَاةِ طُولُ الْقُنُوتِ» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The most excellent prayer consists in long standing in prayer.” Muslim transmitted it.

عَن أبي حميد السَّاعِدِيّ قَالَ فِي عشرَة مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أَنَا أَعْلَمُكُمْ بِصَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالُوا فَاعْرِضْ. قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاة يرفع يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ ثُمَّ يَقْرَأُ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ وَيَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَرْكَعُ وَيَضَعُ رَاحَتَيْهِ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَعْتَدِلُ فَلَا يُصَبِّي رَأْسَهُ وَلَا يُقْنِعُ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ فَيَقُولُ: «سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ» ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ مُعْتَدِلًا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: «اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ» ثُمَّ يَهْوِي إِلَى الْأَرْضِ سَاجِدًا فَيُجَافِي يَدَيْهِ عَن جَنْبَيْهِ وَيفتح أَصَابِعَ رِجْلَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ وَيُثْنِي رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى فَيَقْعُدُ عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ يَعْتَدِلُ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ كل عظم إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ مُعْتَدِلًا ثُمَّ يَسْجُدُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: «اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ» وَيَرْفَعُ وَيَثْنِي رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى فَيَقْعُدُ عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ يَعْتَدِلُ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ ثُمَّ يَنْهَضُ ثُمَّ يَصْنَعُ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ كَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ كَمَا كَبَّرَ عِنْدَ افْتِتَاحِ الصَّلَاةِ ثُمَّ يَصْنَعُ ذَلِكَ فِي بَقِيَّةِ صَلَاتِهِ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَتِ السَّجْدَةُ الَّتِي فِيهَا التَّسْلِيمُ أَخَّرَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَقَعَدَ مُتَوَرِّكًا عَلَى شِقِّهِ الْأَيْسَرِ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ. قَالُوا: صَدَقْتَ هَكَذَا كَانَ يُصَلِّي. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد والدارمي وَرَوَى التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَابْنُ مَاجَهْ مَعْنَاهُ وَقَالَ التِّرْمِذِيُّ: هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ لِأَبِي دَاوُدَ مِنْ حَدِيثِ أَبِي حُمَيْدٍ: ثُمَّ رَكَعَ فَوَضَعَ يَدَيْهِ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْهِ كَأَنَّهُ قَابِضٌ عَلَيْهِمَا وَوَتَّرَ يَدَيْهِ فَنَحَّاهُمَا عَنْ جَنْبَيْهِ وَقَالَ: ثُمَّ سَجَدَ فَأَمْكَنَ أَنْفَهُ وَجَبْهَتَهُ الْأَرْضَ وَنَحَّى يَدَيْهِ عَنْ جَنْبَيْهِ وَوَضَعَ كَفَّيْهِ حَذْوَ مَنْكِبَيْهِ وَفَرَّجَ بَيْنَ فَخِذَيْهِ غَيْرَ حَامِلٍ بَطْنَهُ عَلَى شَيْءٍ مِنْ فَخِذَيْهِ حَتَّى فَرَغَ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ فَافْتَرَشَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَأَقْبَلَ بِصَدْرِ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى قِبْلَتِهِ وَوَضَعَ كَفَّهُ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى رُكْبَتِهِ الْيُمْنَى وَكَفَّهُ الْيُسْرَى عَلَى رُكْبَتِهِ الْيُسْرَى وَأَشَارَ بِأُصْبُعِهِ يَعْنِي السَّبَّابَةَ. وَفِي أُخْرَى لَهُ: وَإِذَا قَعَدَ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ قَعَدَ عَلَى بَطْنِ قَدَمِهِ الْيُسْرَى وَنَصَبَ الْيُمْنَى وَإِذَا كَانَ فِي الرَّابِعَةِ أَفْضَى بِوَرِكِهِ الْيُسْرَى إِلَى الْأَرْضِ وَأَخْرَجَ قَدَمَيْهِ مِنْ نَاحِيَةٍ وَاحِدَة

Abu Humaid as-Sa‘idi once told a company of ten of the Prophet’s companions that he was more informed than any of them regarding the manner in which God’s Messenger conducted his prayer, and when they asked him to expound it to them, he said: When God’s Messenger stood up to pray he raised his hands so as to bring them opposite his shoulders and said the takbir; then he recited some verses; then said the takbir, raising his hands so as to bring them opposite his shoulders; then he bowed, placing the palms of his hands on his knees and keeping himself straight neither raising nor lowering his head; then raised his head saying, “God listens to him who praises Him”; then raised his hands placing them exactly opposite his shoulders; then said the takbir; then lowered himself to the ground in prostration, keeping his arms away from his sides and bending his toes; then raised his head, bent his left foot and sat on it; then he adopted a natural position so that every bone returned properly to its place; then he prostrated himself; then he said the takbir, raised himself and bent his left foot and sat on it: then he adopted a natural position so that every bone returned to its place; then he got up, and did the same as that in the second rak'a. At the end of two rak'as he stood up and said the takbir, raising his hands so as to bring them opposite his shoulders in the way he had said the takbir on beginning to pray; then he did that in the remainder of his prayer, and after the sajda* which is followed by the taslim he put out his left foot and sat on his left hip; then he uttered the taslim. They said, “You have spoken the truth. This is how he used to pray.” *i.e. prostration Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it. And Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted something to the same effect. Tirmidhi saying that this is a hasan sahih tradition. Then he bowed and placed his hands on his knees as though he were clutching them, and he bent his arms and kept them away from his sides. He (i.e. the narrator) said that he then prostrated himself placing his nose and his forehead on the ground, keeping his arms away from his sides, placing the palms of his hands : When he sat at the end of two rak'as he sat on the sole of his left foot and raised the right, and after the fourth he placed his left hip on the ground and put out both feet on one side. A version by Abu Dawud of the tradition of Abu Humaid.

وَعَنْ وَائِلِ بْنِ حُجْرٍ: أَنَّهُ أَبْصَرَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حِينَ قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى كَانَتَا بِحِيَالِ مَنْكِبَيْهِ وحاذى بإبهاميه أُذُنَيْهِ ثُمَّ كَبَّرَ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ. وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ لَهُ: يَرْفَعُ إِبْهَامَيْهِ إِلَى شَحْمَةِ أُذُنَيْهِ

Wa il b. Hujr said he saw that when the Prophet stood up to pray he raised his hands till they were in front of his shoulders and placed his thumbs opposite his ears, then he said the takbir. Abu Dawud transmitted it, and in a version by him it says that he raised his thumbs to the lobes of his ears.

وَعَنْ قَبِيصَةَ بْنِ هُلْبٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَؤُمُّنَا فَيَأْخُذُ شِمَالَهُ بِيَمِينِهِ. رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَابْنُ مَاجَه

Qabisa b. Hulb quoted his father as saying that God’s Messenger would lead them in prayer and hold his left hand in his right. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَن رِفَاعَة بن رَافع قَالَ: جَاءَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى فِي الْمَسْجِدِ ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَعِدْ صَلَاتَكَ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ» . فَقَالَ: عَلِّمْنِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ كَيْفَ أُصَلِّي؟ قَالَ: «إِذَا تَوَجَّهَتْ إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ وَمَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تَقْرَأَ فَإِذَا رَكَعَتْ فَاجْعَلْ رَاحَتَيْكَ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْكَ وَمَكِّنْ رُكُوعَكَ وَامْدُدْ ظَهْرَكَ فَإِذَا رَفَعْتَ فَأَقِمْ صُلْبَكَ وَارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ حَتَّى تَرْجِعَ الْعِظَامُ إِلَى مَفَاصِلِهَا فَإِذَا سَجَدْتَ فَمَكِّنِ السُّجُودَ فَإِذَا رَفَعْتَ فَاجْلِسْ عَلَى فَخِذِكَ الْيُسْرَى ثُمَّ اصْنَعْ ذَلِكَ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَةٍ وَسَجْدَةٍ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ. هَذَا لَفَظُ» الْمَصَابِيحِ ". وَرَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدُ مَعَ تَغْيِيرٍ يَسِيرٍ وَرَوَى التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ مَعْنَاهُ. وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ لِلتِّرْمِذِيِّ قَالَ: «إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَتَوَضَّأْ كَمَا أَمَرَكَ اللَّهُ بِهِ ثُمَّ تَشَهَّدْ فَأَقِمْ فَإِنْ كَانَ مَعَكَ قُرْآنٌ فَاقْرَأْ وَإِلَّا فَاحْمَدِ اللَّهَ وَكَبِّرْهُ وَهَلله ثمَّ اركع»

Rifa'a b. Rafi' said that a man came and prayed in the mosque, after which he went and saluted the Prophet, who replied, “Repeat your prayer, for you have not prayed.” He asked him to teach him how to pray and he said: When you face the qibla say the takbir; then recite Umm al-Qur’an* and what God wishes you to recite; when you bow place the palms of your hands on your knees, bowing completely and stretching out your back; when you raise yourself straighten your spine and raise your head so as to adopt an erect position; when you prostrate yourself do it completely; when you raise yourself sit on your left thigh; do that every time you bow and prostrate yourself till you are at rest, having finished your prayer. This is the wording of al-Masabih. *The first sura. Abu Dawud transmitted it with a slight alteration, and Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted something to the same effect. In a version by Tirmidhi he said, “When you get up to pray perform the ablution as God commanded you, then say the shahada (The testimony that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is His messenger) and proceed with the prayer. If you know any of the Qur’an recite it, otherwise say, ‘Praise be to God; God is most great; there is no god but God.’ Then bow.”

وَعَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «الصَّلَاةُ مَثْنَى مثنى تشهد فِي كل رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَتَخَشُّعٌ وَتَضَرُّعٌ وَتَمَسْكُنٌ ثُمَّ تُقْنِعُ يَدَيْكَ يَقُول ك تَرْفَعُهُمَا إِلَى رَبِّكَ مُسْتَقْبِلًا بِبُطُونِهِمَا وَجْهَكَ وَتَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ يَا رَبِّ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ كَذَا وَكَذَا» . وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ: «فَهُوَ خداج» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ

AI-Fadl b. ‘Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The prayer is in twos, every two rak'as containing an utterance of the tahiyat, and acts of submission, supplication and humility. Then you should uplift your hands, i.e., raise them to your Lord, with the palms opposite your face, and say, ‘My Lord, my Lord.’ Anyone who does not do that is such and such.”* A version has, “is guilty of imperfection.” *A vague phrase indicating that the prayer is defective. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ الْمُعَلَّى قَالَ: صَلَّى لَنَا أَبُو سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيُّ فَجَهَرَ بِالتَّكْبِيرِ حِينَ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ السُّجُودِ وَحِينَ سَجَدَ وَحِينَ رَفَعَ مِنَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ وَقَالَ: هَكَذَا رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ

Sa'id b. al-Harith b. al-Mu‘alla said that Abu Sa'id al-Khudri led them in prayer and said the takbir loudly when he raised his head after the prostration, when he prostrated himself, and when he rose at the end of two rak'as, and he said, “Thus did I see the Prophet do." Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ قَالَ: صَلَّيْتُ خَلْفَ شَيْخٍ بِمَكَّةَ فَكَبَّرَ ثِنْتَيْنِ وَعِشْرِينَ تَكْبِيرَةً فَقُلْتُ لِابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ: إِنَّهُ أَحْمَقُ فَقَالَ: ثَكَلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ سُنَّةُ أَبِي الْقَاسِمِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ

‘Ikrima said: I prayed behind an old man in Mecca and he said the takbir twenty-two times. When I said to Ibn ‘Abbas that the man was a fool, he replied, “I am surprised at you. It was the sunna of Abul Qasim.’’* *This is the Prophet’s kunya. Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ مُرْسَلًا قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُكَبِّرُ فِي الصَّلَاة كلما خفض وَرفع فَلم تزل صلَاته حَتَّى لَقِي الله تَعَالَى. رَوَاهُ مَالك

‘Ali b. al-Husain told in mursal form that God’s Messenger said the takbir in prayer as often as he got down1 and got up2 and that this continued to be his method in prayer till he met God. 1. i.e. for bowing or prostration. 2. i.e. after prostration. Malik transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ لَنَا ابْنُ مَسْعُودٍ: أَلا أُصَلِّي بكم صَلَاة رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ؟ فَصَلَّى وَلَمْ يَرْفَعْ يَدَيْهِ إِلَّا مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً مَعَ تَكْبِيرَةِ الِافْتِتَاحِ. رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَأَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ. وَقَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ: لَيْسَ هُوَ بِصَحِيح على هَذَا الْمَعْنى

‘Alqama said that Ibn Mas'ud suggested leading them in prayer in the way God’s Messenger had performed it. He prayed, raising his hands only once, along with the takbir at the beginning. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it, and Abu Dawud said it is not sahih put this way.

وَعَنْ أَبِي حُمَيْدٍ السَّاعِدِيِّ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ وَقَالَ: الله أكبر. رَوَاهُ ابْن مَاجَه

Abu Humaid as-Sa‘idi said that when God’s Messenger stood up to pray, he faced the qibla, raised his hands and said, “God is most great." Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: صَلَّى بِنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الظّهْر وَفِي مُؤخر الصُّفُوف رجل فَأَسَاءَ الصَّلَاةَ فَلَمَّا سَلَّمَ نَادَاهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «يَا فُلَانُ أَلَا تَتَّقِي اللَّهَ؟ أَلَا تَرَى كَيْفَ تُصَلِّي؟ إِنَّكُمْ تُرَوْنَ أَنَّهُ يَخْفَى عَلَيَّ شَيْءٌ مِمَّا تَصْنَعُونَ وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأَرَى مِنْ خَلْفِي كَمَا أَرَى من بَين يَدي» رَوَاهُ أَحْمد

Abu Huraira told how on an occasion when God’s Messenger led them in the noon prayer, there was a man at the back of the rows who performed the prayer badly. When he had said the taslim God’s Messenger called out to him, “So and so, do you not fear God? Do you not see how you should pray? You people think that part of what you are doing is hidden from me, but I swear by God that I see behind me just as I see in front of me." Ahmad transmitted it.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يسكت بَين التَّكْبِير وَبَين الْقِرَاءَة إسكاتة قَالَ أَحْسبهُ قَالَ هنيَّة فَقلت بِأبي وَأُمِّي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِسْكَاتُكَ بَيْنَ التَّكْبِيرِ وَالْقِرَاءَة مَا تَقُولُ قَالَ: «أَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ بَاعِدْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَايَ كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ اللَّهُمَّ نَقِّنِي مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ اللَّهُمَّ اغْسِلْ خَطَايَايَ بِالْمَاءِ والثلج وَالْبرد»

Abu Huraira said that God’s Messenger used to observe a period of silence between the takbir and the recitation of the Qur an, so he addressed him thus, “Messenger of God, for whom I would give my father and mother as ransom, what do you say during your period of silence between the takbir and the recitation?” He replied that he said, “O God, remove my sins far from me as Thou hast removed the East far from the West. O God, purify me from sins as a white garment is purified from filth. O God, wash away my sins with water, snow and hail.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)