5. Establishing the Prayer and the Sunnah Regarding Them

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:

“The people stopped saying Amin, but when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said ‘Not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray’ he would say Amin, until the people in the first row could hear it, and the mosque would shake with it.

It was narrated that ‘Ali said:

“I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying ‘Amin’ after he said, ‘nor of those who went astray.’

It was narrated from ‘Abdul-Jabbar bin Wa’il that his father said:

“I performed prayer with the Prophet (ﷺ) and when he said: ‘Nor of those who went astray’, he said Amin and we heard that from him.”

It was narrated from ‘Aishah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“The Jews do not envy you for anything more than they envy you for the Salam and (saying) ‘Amin’.”

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“The Jews do not envy you for anything more than they envy you for the Salam and (saying) Amin, so say Amin a great deal.”

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said:

“I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) raising his hands until they were parallel to his shoulders when he started the prayer, and when he bowed in Ruku’, and when he raised his head from Ruku’, but he did not raise them between the two prostrations.”

It was narrated that Malik bin Huwairith said that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said Allahu Akbar, he would raise his hands until they were close to his ears; when he bowed in Ruku’ he did likewise, and when he raised his head from Ruku’ he did likewise.

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:

“I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) raising his hands during prayer until they were parallel with his shoulders when he started to pray, when he bowed and when he prostrated.”

It was narrated that ‘Umair bin Habib said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to raise his hands at every Takbir (saying Allahu Akbar) in the obligatory prayer.”

It was narrated that Muhammad bin `Amr bin `Ata’ said, concerning Abu Humaid As-Sa`di:

“I heard him when he was among ten of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), one of whom was Abu Qatadah bin Rib`i, saying: ‘I am the most knowledgeable of you about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). When he stood up for prayer, he stood up straight and raised his hands until they wer…

‘Abbas bin Sahl As-Sa’di said:

“Abu Humaid, Abu Usaid As-Sa’di, Sahl bin Sa’d, and Muhammad bin Maslamah came together and spoke about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Abu Humaid said: ‘I am the most knowledgeable of you about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stood up and said Allahu A…

It was narrated that ‘Ali bin Abu Talib said:

“When the Prophet (ﷺ) stood up to offer a prescribed prayer, he said Allahu Akbar and raised his hands until they were parallel to his shoulders. When he wanted to bow he did likewise; when he raised his head from bowing he did likewise; and when he stood up after the two prostrations he did likewis…

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to raise his hands at every Takbir (saying Allahu Akbar).

It was narrated from Anas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to raise his hands when he entered prayer, and when he bowed in Ruku’.

It was narrated that Wa’il bin Hujr said:

“I said: ‘I will look at the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and see how he performs the prayer.’ He stood up and faced the Qiblah, and raised his hands until they were parallel to his ears. When he bowed, he raised them likewise, and when he raised his head from Ruku’, he raised them likewise.”

It was narrated from Abu Zubair that Jabir bin ‘Abdullah would raise his hands when he began the prayer, and when he bowed, and when he raised (his head) from Ruku’ he would do likewise, and he said:

“I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) doing that.” (One of the narrators) said: “Ibrahim bin Tahman (one of the narrators) raised his hands to his ears.”

It was narrated that ‘Aishah said:

“When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) bowed, he neither raised his head nor lowered it, rather (he did something) between that.”

It was narrated that Abu Mas’ud said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘No prayer is acceptable in which a man does not settle his spine when bowing and when prostrating.’”

It was narrated that ‘Ali bin Shaiban who was part of a delegation (to the Prophet (ﷺ)) said:

“We set out until we came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and we gave him our oath of allegiance and performed prayer behind him. He glanced out of the corner of his eye at a man who was not settling his spine when he bowed and prostrated. When the Prophet (ﷺ) finished the prayer, he said: ‘O Muslims…

It was narrated that Rashid said:

“I heard Wabisah bin Ma’bad saying: ‘I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) performing prayer, and when he bowed he made his back so straight that if water were poured on it, it would have stayed there.’”

It was narrated that Mus’ab bin Sa’d said:

“I bowed (in prayer) beside my father, and I put my hands between my knees. He struck my hand and said: ‘We used to do that, then we were commanded to put them on the knees.’”

It was narrated that ‘Aishah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to bow with his hands on his knees and his upper arms held away from his sides.”

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him),” he said: “Rabbana wa lakal-hamd (O our Lord, to You is the praise).”

It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“When the Imam says: ‘Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him),’ say: ‘Rabbana wa lakal-hamd (O our Lord, to You is the praise).’”

It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri that he heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say:

“When the Imam says: ‘Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him),’ say: ‘Allahumma, Rabbana wa lakal-hamd (O Allah! O our Lord! To You is the praise).’”

It was narrated that Ibn Abu Awfa said:

“When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) raised his head from Ruku’, he said: ‘Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah, Allahumma, Rabbana lakal-hamd, mil’ as-samawati wa mil’ al- ard wa mil’ ma shi’ta min shay’in ba’d (Allah hears those who praise Him. O Allah! O our Lord, to You is the praise as much as fills the heavens, as much as fills the earth and as much as You will after that).’”

It was narrated that Abu ‘Umar said:

“I heard Abu Juhaifah say: Good fortune was mentioned in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) while he was performing prayer. A man said: ‘so-and-so’s fortune is in horses.’ Another man said: ‘So-and-so’s fortune is in camels.’ Another man said: ‘So-and-so’s fortune is in sheep.’ Another man s…

It was narrated from Maimunah that when the Prophet (ﷺ) prostrated, he would hold his forearms away from his sides, such that if a lamb wanted to pass under his arms, it would be able to do so.

It was narrated from (`Ubaidullah bin `Abdullah) bin Aqram Al-Khuza`i that his father said:

“I was with my father on the plain in Namirah,* when some riders passed us and made their camels kneel down at the side of the road. My father said to me: ‘Stay with your lambs until I go to those people and see what they want.’ He said: Then he (my father) went out and I came, (i.e., I came near,) …

It was narrated that Wa’il bin Hujr said:

“I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) when he prostrated and put his knees on the ground before his hands, and when he stood up after prostrating, he took his hands off the ground before his knees.”

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones.”

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “I have been commanded to prostrate on seven, but not to tuck up my hair or my garment.”

It was narrated from ‘Abbas bin ‘Abdul-Muttalib that he heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say:

“When a person prostrates, seven parts of his body prostrate with him: His face, his two hands, his two knees, and his two feet.”

Ahmar, the Companion of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), narrated to us:

“We used to feel sorry for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) because he took pains to keep his arms away from his sides when he prostrated.”

‘Uqbah bin ‘Amir Al-Juhani said:

“When the following was revealed: ‘So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Great’, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to us: ‘Say this in your Ruku’.’ And when the following was revealed: ‘Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High.’ the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to us: ‘Say this in your prostra…

It was narrated from Hudhaifah bin Al-Yaman that he heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say when he bowed:

“Subhana Rabbiyal-‘Azim (Glory is to my Lord, the Most Great)” three times, and when he prostrated he said: “Subhana Rabbiyal-A’la (Glory is to my Lord the Most High)” three times.

It was narrated that ‘Aishah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) often used to say when bowing and prostrating: ‘Subhanak Allahumma wa bi hamdika, Allahummaghfir li (Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise; O Allah forgive me),’ following the command given by the Qur’an.”[Surat An-Nasr (110)]

It was narrated that Ibn Mas’ud said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘When anyone of you bows, let him say in his bowing: “Subhana Rabbiyal-‘Azim (Glory is to my Lord, the Most Great)” three times; if he does that his bowing will be complete. And when anyone of you prostrates, let him say in his prostration, ‘Subhana Rabbiyal-A’la (G…

It was narrated that Jabir said:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “When anyone of you prostrates let him be balanced in prostration, and not spread his arms as a dog does.”

It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Be balanced in prostration; none of you should prostrate with his arms spread out like a dog.”

It was narrated that ‘Aishah said:

“When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) raised his head from bowing, he would not prostrate until he had stood up straight. When he prostrated, he would raise his head and not prostrate again until he had sat up straight. And he used to spread out his left leg.”

It was narrated that ‘Ali said:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me: “Do not squat between the two prostrations.”

It was narrated that ‘Ali said:

“The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘O ‘Ali, do not squat like a dog.’”

It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said:

“The Prophet (ﷺ) said to me: ‘When you raise your head from prostration, do not squat like a dog. Put your buttocks between your feet and let the tops of your feet touch the ground.”

It was narrated from Hudhaifah that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say between the two prostrations:

“Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li (O Lord forgive me, O Lord forgive me).”

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said:

“When praying at night (Qiyamul-Lail), the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say between the two prostrations: ‘Rabbighfir li warhamni wajburni warzuqni warfa’ni (O Lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, improve my situation, grant me provision and raise me in status).’”

It was narrated that ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud said:

“When we performed prayer with the Prophet (ﷺ) we said: ‘Peace be upon Allah from His slaves, peace be upon Jibra’il and Mika’il and so-and-so and so-and- so.’ The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard us and said: ‘Do not say peace (Salam) be upon Allah, for He is As-Salam. When you sit (during prayer) say:…

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to teach us the Tashah-hud as he used to teach us a Surah of the Qur’an. He used to say: ‘At-Tahiyyatul-Mubarakatus salawatut-tayyibatu lillah; As-salamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu; as-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillahis-salihin. Ashhadu an…

It was narrated from Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) addressed us and explained the Sunnah for us, and he taught us our prayer. He said: ‘When you perform prayer, and you are sitting, let the first thing you say be: At-Tahiyyatut-tayyibatus-salawatu lillah; as-salamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu; as…

It was narrated that Jabir bin ‘Abdullah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to teach us the Tashah-hud as he used to teach us a Surah from the Qur’an: ‘Bismillahi wa Billahi; at-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu lillahi; as-salamu ‘alayka ayyuhan- Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu; as-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillahis-salihi…