5. Establishing the Prayer and the Sunnah Regarding Them

It was narrated that ‘Abdullah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed, and he added or omitted something.” (One of the narrators) Ibrahim said: “The confusion stems from me (i.e., he was not sure which it was).” “It was said to him: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Has something been added to the prayer?’ He said: ‘I am only human, I forget ju…

‘Iyad narrated that he asked Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri:

“One of us prays and he does not know how many (Rak’ah) he has prayed.” He said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘When anyone of you prays and does not know how many he has prayed, let him perform two prostrations while he is sitting.’”

It was narrated that ‘Abdullah said:

“(Once) the Prophet (ﷺ) prayed Zuhr with five Rak’ah, and it was said to him: ‘Has something been added to the prayer?’ He said: ‘What is that?’ They told him, and he turned back towards the Qiblah and performed two prostrations.”

It was narrated from Ibn Buhainah:

“The Prophet (ﷺ) offered prayer, I think it was the ‘Asr, and in the second Rak’ah he stood up before he sat. Before he said the Salam, he prostrated twice.”

It was narrated from ‘Abdur-Rahman Al-A’raj that Ibn Buhainah told him that the Prophet (ﷺ) stood up in the second Rak’ah of Zuhr and forgot to sit. When he had finished his prayer, and before he said the Salam, he performed the two prostrations for forgetfulness (Sahw) and said the Salam.

It was narrated that Mughirah bin Shu’bah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘If anyone of you stands after two Rak’ah, if he has not yet stood up fully, let him sit down again, but if he has stood up fully, then let him not sit down, and let him perform two prostrations for forgetfulness (Sahw).’”

It was narrated that ‘Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Awf said:

“I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘If anyone of you is uncertain as to whether he has prayed one or two Rak’ah, let him assume it is one. If he is uncertain as to whether he has prayed two or three, let him assume it is two. If he is uncertain as to whether he has prayed three or four, let hi…

It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘If anyone of you is uncertain about his prayer, let him put aside uncertainty and act upon that which is certain. When he has made sure his prayer is complete, then let him prostrate twice. Then if his prayer was complete, that (extra) Rak’ah will be counted as vol…

It was narrated that ‘Abdullah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) offered prayer, and I am not sure whether he did something extra or omitted something. He asked, and we told him, so he turned to face the Qiblah and prostrated twice, then he said the Salam. Then he turned to face us and said: ‘If any new command has been revealed concer…

It was narrated that ‘Abdullah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘If anyone of you is uncertain about his prayer, let him try to do what is correct then let him prostrate twice.’” Tanafisi said: "This is the basic rule, and no one is able to reject it."

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forgot and said the Taslim after two Rak’ah. A man who was called Dhul-Yadain said to him:

‘O Messenger of Allah, has the prayer been shortened or did you forget?’ He said: ‘It has not been shortened and I did not forget.’ He said: ‘But you prayed two Rak’ah.’ He said: ‘Is what Dhul-Yadain says true?’ They said: ‘Yes.’ So he went forward and performed two Rak’ah and said the Salam, then h…

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) led us in one of the afternoon prayers, and he prayed two Rak’ah, then he said the Salam. Then he stood up and went to a piece of wood in the mosque, and leaned against it. Those who were in a hurry left the mosque, saying that the prayer had been shortened. Among the peo…

It was narrated that ‘Imran bin Husain said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said the Salam after three Rak’ah for ‘Asr, then he stood up and went into the apartment. Khirbaq, a man with big hands, stood up and called out: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Has the prayer been shortened?’ He came out angrily, dragging his lower garment, and asked about it, an…

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“The Satan comes to any one of you while he is praying and comes between him and his soul, until he does not know whether he as added something or omitted something. If that happens, then he should prostrate twice before the Salam, then he should say the Salam.”

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“The Satan comes between the son of Adam and his soul, and he does not know how many Rak’ah he has prayed. If a person notices that, then let him prostrate twice before he says the Salam.”

It was narrated from ‘Alqamah that Ibn Mas’ud prostrated twice for the prostrations of forgetfulness after the Salam, and he mentioned that the Prophet (ﷺ) did that.”

It was narrated that Thawban said:

“I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘For every mistake there are two prostrations, after saying the Salam.’”

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:

“The Prophet (ﷺ) came out to pray and said the Takbir, then he gestured to them to wait. He went and took a bath, and his head was dripping with water while he led them in prayer. When he finished he said: ‘I came out to you in a state of sexual impurity, and I forgot until I had started to pray.’”

It was narrated that ‘Aishah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever vomits, has a nosebleed, belches, or emits prostatic fluid, should stop praying; perform ablution, then resume his prayer, and while he is in that state he should not speak.”

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

“When anyone of you performs prayer and commits Hadath, (passing wind) let him take hold of his nose, then leave.” Another chain with similar wording.

It was narrated that ‘Imran bin Husain said:

“I suffered from Nasur* and I asked the Prophet (ﷺ) about prayer. He said: ‘Perform prayer standing; if you cannot, then sitting; and if you cannot then while lying on your side.’”

It was narrated that Wa’il bin Hujr said:

“I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) performing prayer while sitting on his right side when he was sick.”

It was narrated that Umm Salamah said:

‘By the One Who took his soul (i.e., the soul of the Prophet (ﷺ)), he did not die until he offered most of his prayers sitting down. And the dearest of the actions to him was the righteous action that the person does regularly, even if it were a little.”

It was narrated that ‘Aishah said:

“The Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite Qur’an sitting down, then when he wanted to bow he would stand up for as long as it takes a person to recite forty Verses.”

It was narrated that ‘Aishah said:

“I did not see the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) offer any of the night prayers in any way other than standing, until he became old. Then he started to pray sitting down until, when there were thirty or forty Verses left of his recitation, he would stand up and recite them, and prostrate.”

It was narrated that ‘Abdullah bin Shaqiq Al-‘Uqaili said:

“I asked ‘Aishah about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) at night. She said: ‘He used to pray for a long time at night standing up, and for a long time at night sitting down. If he prayed standing, he would bow standing, and if he prayed sitting, he would bow sitting.’”

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr that the Prophet (ﷺ) passed by him when he was praying sitting down. He said:

“The prayer of one who sits down is equivalent to half of the prayer of one who stands.”

It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out and saw some people praying while sitting down. He said:

“The prayer of one who sits down is equivalent to half of the prayer of one who stands.”

It was narrated from ‘Imran bin Husain that he asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about a man who prays sitting down. He said, “Whoever performs prayer standing up, that is better. Whoever performs prayer sitting down will have half the reward of one who prays standing. And whoever performs prayer lying down will have half the reward of one who prays sitting.”

It was narrated that ‘Aishah said:

“When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) fell ill with the sickness that would be his last” – (One of the narrators) Abu Mu’awiyah said: “When he was overcome by sickness” – “Bilal came to tell him that it was time for prayer. He said, ‘Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.’ We said: ‘O Messenger of A…

It was narrated that ‘Aishah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) told Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer when he was sick, and Abu Bakr used to lead them in prayer. Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) began to feel a little better, so he came out, and saw Abu Bakr leading the people in prayer. When Abu Bakr saw him, he stepped back, but…

It was narrated that Salim bin ‘Ubaid said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) fainted when he was sick, then he woke up and said: ‘Has the time for prayer come?’ They said: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘Tell Bilal to call the Adhan, and tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.’ Then he fainted, then he woke up and said: ‘Has the time for prayer come?’ They s…

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said:

“When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) fell ill with what would be his final illness, he was in the house of ‘Aishah. He said: ‘Call ‘Ali for me.’ ‘Aishah said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, should we call Abu Bakr for you?’ He said: ‘Call him.’ Hafsah said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, should we call ‘Umar for you?’ …

Hamzah bin Mughirah bin Shu’bah narrated that his father said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) lagged behind (on a journey) and we reached the people when ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Awf had already led them in one Rak’ah of the prayer. When he realized that the Prophet (ﷺ) was there, he wanted to step back, but the Prophet (ﷺ) gestured to him that he should complete the pr…

It was narrated that ‘Aishah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) fell ill and some of his Companions came to visit him. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) performed prayer while sitting down, and they prayed behind him standing up. He gestured them to sit down, and when he finished he said: ‘The Imam is appointed to be followed. When he bows, …

It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Prophet (ﷺ) fell from his horse and he suffered some lacerations on his right side. We went to visit him and the time for prayer came. He led us in prayer sitting down, and we prayed behind him sitting down. When he finished the prayer he said:

“The Imam is appointed to be followed. When he says Allahu Akbar, then say Allahu Akbar; when he bows, then bow; when he says Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah, then say Rabbana wa lakal-hamd; when he prostrates then prostrate; and if he prays sitting down then pray sitting down.”

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘The Imam is appointed to be followed. When he says Allahu Akbar, then say Allahu Akbar; when he bows, then bow; when he says Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah, then say Rabbana wa lakal-hamd; when he prostrates then prostrate; if he prays standing, then pray standing, and if he prays sitting down then pray sitting down.”

It was narrated that Jabir said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) fell ill, and we prayed behind him while he was sitting down, and Abu Bakr was saying the Takbir so that the people could hear them. He turned to us and saw us standing, so he gestured to us to sit down. When he had said the Salam, he said: ‘You were about to do the actio…

Sa’d bin Tariq said:

“I said to my father: ‘O my father! You prayed behind the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and behind Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Uthman, and behind ‘Ali here in Kufah for about five years. Did they recite Qunut in Fajr?’ He said: ‘O my son! That is an innovation.’”

It was narrated that Umm Salamah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was forbidden to recite Qunut in Fajr.”

It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite Qunut in the Subh prayer, and he used to supplicate in it against one of the Arab tribes for a month, then he stopped doing so.

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:

“When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) raised his head from Ruku’ in the Subh prayer, he said: ‘O Allah, save Al-Walid bin Walid, Salamah bin Hisham and ‘Ayyash bin Abu Rabi’ah, and the oppressed in Makkah. O Allah, tighten Your grip on Mudar, and send them years of famine like the famine of Yusuf.”

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) commanded killing the two black ones during prayer; the scorpion and the snake.

It was narrated that ‘Aishah said:

“The Prophet (ﷺ) was stung by a scorpion while he was performing prayer, and he said: ‘May Allah curse the scorpion, for it does not spare anyone, whether he is praying or not. Kill them whether you are in Ihram or not.’” In Al-Hill (outside the sacred precincts of Makkah) or Al-Haram (the sacred precincts or Makkah).

It was narrated from Ibn Abu Rafi’, from his father, from his grandfather, that the Prophet (ﷺ) killed a scorpion while he was praying.

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade two prayers:

prayer after the Fajr until the sun has risen, and prayer after ‘Asr until the sun has set.

It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“There is no prayer after the ‘Asr until the sun has set, and there is no prayer after the Fajr until the sun has risen.”

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said:

“Good men among whom was ‘Umar bin Khattab, and the best of them in my view is ‘Umar, testified before me that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘There is no prayer after Fajr until the sun has risen, and there is no prayer after the ‘Asr until the sun has set.’”

It was narrated that ‘Amr bin ‘Abasah said:

“I came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: ‘Is there any time that is more beloved to Allah than another?’ He said: ‘Yes, the middle of the night, so pray as much as you want until dawn comes. Then refrain from praying until the sun has risen, and as long as it looks like a shield until it beco…

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:

“Safwan bin Mu’attal asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): ‘O Messenger of Allah, I want to ask you about something of which you have knowledge and I know nothing.’ He said: ‘What is it?’ He said: ‘Is there any time of the night or day when it is disliked to perform prayer? He said: ‘Yes, when you have …