The Prophet ﷺ said, "No prayer is heavier upon the hypocrites than the Fajr and the ʿIsha' prayers and if they knew what is in them (in reward), they would have attended them, even if (it was) crawling. Certainly, I felt the urge to order the Mu'adh-dhin (call-maker) so that he would pronounce Iqama, then order a man to lead the people (in prayer), then take a flame of fire so that I burn (the houses) upon those who had not left for the prayer yet."  

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ لَيْسَ صَلاَةٌ أَثْقَلَ عَلَى الْمُنَافِقِينَ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ وَالْعِشَاءِ وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِيهِمَا لأَتَوْهُمَا وَلَوْ حَبْوًا لَقَدْ هَمَمْتُ أَنْ آمُرَ الْمُؤَذِّنَ فَيُقِيمَ ثُمَّ آمُرَ رَجُلاً يَؤُمُّ النَّاسَ ثُمَّ آخُذَ شُعَلاً مِنْ نَارٍ فَأُحَرِّقَ عَلَى مَنْ لاَ يَخْرُجُ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدُ  

Prophet said (to two persons), "Whenever the prayer time becomes due, you should pronounce Adhan and then Iqama and the older of you should lead the prayer."  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ إِذَا حَضَرَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَأَذِّنَا وَأَقِيمَا ثُمَّ لِيَؤُمَّكُمَا أَكْبَرُكُمَا  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "The angels keep on asking for Allah's Blessing and Forgiveness for anyone of you as long as he is at his Musalla (praying place) and does not do Hadath (passes wind). The angels say, 'O Allah! Forgive him and be Merciful to him.' Each one of you is in the prayer as long as he is waiting for the prayer and nothing but the prayer detains him from going to his family."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ تُصَلِّي عَلَى أَحَدِكُمْ مَا دَامَ فِي مُصَلاَّهُ مَا لَمْ يُحْدِثْ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمْهُ لاَ يَزَالُ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي صَلاَةٍ مَا دَامَتِ الصَّلاَةُ تَحْبِسُهُ لاَ يَمْنَعُهُ أَنْ يَنْقَلِبَ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ إِلاَّ الصَّلاَةُ  

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah will give shade, to seven, on the Day when there will be no shade but His. (These seven persons are) a just ruler, a youth who has been brought up in the worship of Allah (i.e. worships Allah sincerely from childhood), a man whose heart is attached to the mosques (i.e. to pray the compulsory prayers in the mosque in congregation), two persons who love each other only for Allah's sake and they meet and part in Allah's cause only, a man who refuses the call of a charming woman of noble birth for illicit intercourse with her and says: I am afraid of Allah, a man who gives charitable gifts so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given (i.e. nobody knows how much he has given in charity), and a person who remembers Allah in seclusion and his eyes are then flooded with tears."  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ سَبْعَةٌ يُظِلُّهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي ظِلِّهِ يَوْمَ لاَ ظِلَّ إِلاَّ ظِلُّهُ الإِمَامُ الْعَادِلُ وَشَابٌّ نَشَأَ فِي عِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ وَرَجُلٌ قَلْبُهُ مُعَلَّقٌ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ وَرَجُلاَنِ تَحَابَّا فِي اللَّهِ اجْتَمَعَا عَلَيْهِ وَتَفَرَّقَا عَلَيْهِ وَرَجُلٌ طَلَبَتْهُ امْرَأَةٌ ذَاتُ مَنْصِبٍ وَجَمَالٍ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ وَرَجُلٌ تَصَدَّقَ أَخْفَى حَتَّى لاَ تَعْلَمَ شِمَالُهُ مَا تُنْفِقُ يَمِينُهُ وَرَجُلٌ ذَكَرَ اللَّهَ خَالِيًا فَفَاضَتْ عَيْنَاهُ  

Anas was asked, "Did Messenger of Allah ﷺ wear a ring?" He said, "Yes. Once he delayed the ʿIsha' prayer till midnight and after the prayer, he faced us and said, 'The people prayed and have slept and you remained in prayer as long as you waited for it.' " Anas added, "As if I were just now observing the glitter of his ring."  

سُئِلَ أَنَسٌ هَلِ اتَّخَذَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ خَاتَمًا فَقَالَ نَعَمْ أَخَّرَ لَيْلَةً صَلاَةَ الْعِشَاءِ إِلَى شَطْرِ اللَّيْلِ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْنَا بِوَجْهِهِ بَعْدَ مَا صَلَّى فَقَالَ صَلَّى النَّاسُ وَرَقَدُوا وَلَمْ تَزَالُوا فِي صَلاَةٍ مُنْذُ انْتَظَرْتُمُوهَا قَالَ فَكَأَنِّي أَنْظُرُ إِلَى وَبِيصِ خَاتَمِهِ  

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah will prepare for him who goes to the mosque (every) morning and in the afternoon (for the congregational prayer) an honorable place in Paradise with good hospitality for (what he has done) every morning and afternoon goings.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ مَنْ غَدَا إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ وَرَاحَ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُ نُزُلَهُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ كُلَّمَا غَدَا أَوْ رَاحَ  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed by a man praying two rakʿat after the Iqama (had been pronounced). When Messenger of Allah ﷺ completed the prayer, the people gathered around him (the Prophet) or that man and Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him (protesting), Are there four rakʿat in Fajr prayer? Are there four rakʿat in Fajr prayer?"  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ رَأَى رَجُلاً وَقَدْ أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لاَثَ بِهِ النَّاسُ وَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «الصُّبْحَ أَرْبَعًا؟ الصُّبْحَ أَرْبَعًا؟»  

"We were with ʿAisha discussing the regularity of offering the prayer and dignifying it. She said, 'When Messenger of Allah ﷺ fell sick with the fatal illness and when the time of prayer became due and Adhan was pronounced, he said, 'Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.' He was told that Abu Bakr was a softhearted man and would not be able to lead the prayer in his place. The Prophet ﷺ gave the same order again but he was given the same reply. He gave the order for the third time and said, 'You (women) are the companions of Joseph. Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer.' So Abu Bakr came out to lead the prayer. In the meantime the condition of the Prophet ﷺ improved a bit and he came out with the help of two men one on each side. As if I was observing his legs dragging on the ground owing to the disease. Abu Bakr wanted to retreat but the Prophet ﷺ beckoned him to remain at his place and the Prophet ﷺ was brought till he sat beside Abu Bakr." Al-Aʿmash was asked, "Was the Prophet ﷺ praying and Abu Bakr following him, and were the people following Abu Bakr in that prayer?" Al- Aʿmash replied in the affirmative with a nod of his head. Abu Muawiya said, "The Prophet ﷺ was sitting on the left side of Abu Bakr who was praying while standing."  

كُنَّا عِنْدَ عَائِشَةَ ؓ فَذَكَرْنَا الْمُوَاظَبَةَ عَلَى الصَّلاَةِ وَالتَّعْظِيمَ لَهَا قَالَتْ لَمَّا مَرِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَرَضَهُ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ فَحَضَرَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَأُذِّنَ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ إِذَا قَامَ فِي مَقَامِكَ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ وَأَعَادَ فَأَعَادُوا لَهُ فَأَعَادَ الثَّالِثَةَ فَقَالَ إِنَّكُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَخَرَجَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَصَلَّى فَوَجَدَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَخَرَجَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ كَأَنِّي أَنْظُرُ رِجْلَيْهِ تَخُطَّانِ مِنَ الْوَجَعِ فَأَرَادَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ أَنْ يَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَنْ مَكَانَكَ ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِهِ حَتَّى جَلَسَ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ قِيلَ لِلأَعْمَشِ وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِصَلاَتِهِ وَالنَّاسُ يُصَلُّونَ بِصَلاَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ بِرَأْسِهِ نَعَمْ رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ عَنْ شُعْبَةَ عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ بَعْضَهُ وَزَادَ أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ جَلَسَ عَنْ يَسَارِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي قَائِمًا  

"When the Prophet ﷺ became seriously ill and his disease became aggravated he asked for permission from his wives to be nursed in my house and he was allowed. He came out with the help of two men and his legs were dragging on the ground. He was between Al-ʿAbbas and another man." 'Ubaidullah said, "I told Ibn ʿAbbas what ʿAisha had narrated and he said, 'Do you know who was the (second) man whose name ʿAisha did not mention'" I said, 'No.' Ibn ʿAbbas said, 'He was ʿAli Ibn Abi Talib.' "  

عَائِشَةُ لَمَّا ثَقُلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ وَاشْتَدَّ وَجَعُهُ اسْتَأْذَنَ أَزْوَاجَهُ أَنْ يُمَرَّضَ فِي بَيْتِي فَأَذِنَّ لَهُ فَخَرَجَ بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ تَخُطُّ رِجْلاَهُ الأَرْضَ وَكَانَ بَيْنَ الْعَبَّاسِ وَرَجُلٍ آخَرَ قَالَ عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ فَذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لاِبْنِ عَبَّاسٍ مَا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقَالَ لِي وَهَلْ تَدْرِي مَنِ الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي لَمْ تُسَمِّ عَائِشَةُ قُلْتُ لاَ قَالَ هُوَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ  

Once on a very cold and stormy night, Ibn ʿUmar pronounced the Adhan for the prayer and then said, "Pray in your homes." He (Ibn ʿUmar) added. "On very cold and rainy nights Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to order the Mu'adh-dhin to say, 'Pray in your homes.' "  

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يَأْمُرُ الْمُؤَذِّنَ إِذَا كَانَتْ لَيْلَةٌ ذَاتُ بَرْدٍ وَمَطَرٍ يَقُولُ أَلاَ صَلُّوا فِي الرِّحَالِ  

ʿItban bin Malik used to lead his people (tribe) in prayer and was a blind man, he said to Allah's Apostle , "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! At times it is dark and flood water is flowing (in the valley) and I am blind man, so please pray at a place in my house so that I can take it as a Musalla (praying place)." So Messenger of Allah ﷺ went to his house and said, "Where do you like me to pray?" 'Itban pointed to a place in his house and Messenger of Allah ﷺ, offered the prayer there.  

وَأَنَّهُ قَالَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهَا تَكُونُ الظُّلْمَةُ وَالسَّيْلُ وَأَنَا رَجُلٌ ضَرِيرُ الْبَصَرِ فَصَلِّ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فِي بَيْتِي مَكَانًا أَتَّخِذُهُ مُصَلًّى فَجَاءَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ أَيْنَ تُحِبُّ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ فَأَشَارَ إِلَى مَكَانٍ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ فَصَلَّى فِيهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ  

Ibn ʿAbbas addressed us on a (rainy and) muddy day and when the Mu'adh-dhin said, "Come for the prayer" Ibn ʿAbbas ordered him to say, "Pray in your homes." The people began to look at one another with surprise as if they did not like it. Ibn ʿAbbas said, "It seems that you thought ill of it but no doubt it was done by one who was better than I (i.e. the Prophet). It (the prayer) is a strict order and I disliked to bring you out." Ibn ʿAbbas narrated the same as above but he said, "I did not like you to make you sinful (in refraining from coming to the mosque) and to come (to the mosque) covered with mud up to the knees."  

قُلِ الصَّلاَةُ فِي الرِّحَالِ فَنَظَرَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى بَعْضٍ فَكَأَنَّهُمْ أَنْكَرُوا فَقَالَ كَأَنَّكُمْ أَنْكَرْتُمْ هَذَا إِنَّ هَذَا فَعَلَهُ مَنْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنِّي يَعْنِي النَّبِيَّ ﷺ إِنَّهَا عَزْمَةٌ وَإِنِّي كَرِهْتُ أَنْ أُحْرِجَكُمْ وَعَنْ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ عَاصِمٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ نَحْوَهُ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ كَرِهْتُ أَنْ أُؤَثِّمَكُمْ فَتَجِيئُونَ تَدُوسُونَ الطِّينَ إِلَى رُكَبِكُمْ  

A cloud came and it rained till the roof started leaking and in those days the roof used to be of the branches of date-palms. Iqama was pronounced and I saw Messenger of Allah ﷺs prostrating in water and mud and even I saw the mark of mud on his forehead.  

جَاءَتْ سَحَابَةٌ فَمَطَرَتْ حَتَّى سَالَ السَّقْفُ وَكَانَ مِنْ جَرِيدِ النَّخْلِ فَأُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَرَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَسْجُدُ فِي الْمَاءِ وَالطِّينِ حَتَّى رَأَيْتُ أَثَرَ الطِّينِ فِي جَبْهَتِهِ  

I heard Anas saying, "A man from Ansar said to the Prophet, 'I cannot pray with you (in congregation).' He was a very fat man and he prepared a meal for the Prophet ﷺ and invited him to his house. He spread out a mat for the Prophet, and washed one of its sides with water, and the Prophet ﷺ prayed two rakʿat on it." A man from the family of Al-Jaruid [??] asked, "Did the Prophet ﷺ used to pray the Duha (forenoon) prayer?" Anas said, "I did not see him praying the Duha prayer except on that day."  

رَجُلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ إِنِّي لاَ أَسْتَطِيعُ الصَّلاَةَ مَعَكَ وَكَانَ رَجُلاً ضَخْمًا فَصَنَعَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ طَعَامًا فَدَعَاهُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ فَبَسَطَ لَهُ حَصِيرًا وَنَضَحَ طَرَفَ الْحَصِيرِ صَلَّى عَلَيْهِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ آلِ الْجَارُودِ لأَنَسٍ أَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي الضُّحَى قَالَ مَا رَأَيْتُهُ صَلاَّهَا إِلاَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ  

The Prophet ﷺ said, "If supper is served, and Iqama is pronounced one should start with the supper."  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّهُ قَالَ إِذَا وُضِعَ الْعَشَاءُ وَأُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَابْدَءُوا بِالْعَشَاءِ  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "If the supper is served start having it before praying the Maghrib prayer and do not be hasty in finishing it."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ إِذَا قُدِّمَ الْعَشَاءُ فَابْدَءُوا بِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُصَلُّوا صَلاَةَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَلاَ تَعْجَلُوا عَنْ عَشَائِكُمْ  

the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, 'If the supper is served for anyone of you and the Iqāmah is pronounced, start with the supper and don't be in haste (and carry on eating) till you finish it."

If food was served for Ibn ʿUmar and Iqama was pronounced, he never came to the prayer till he finished it (i.e. food) in spite of the fact that he heard the recitation (of the Qur'an) by the Imam (in the prayer).  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «إِذَا وُضِعَ عَشَاءُ أَحَدِكُمْ وَأُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَابْدَءُوا بِالْعَشَاءِ وَلاَ يَعْجَلْ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنْهُ۔»

وَكَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ يُوضَعُ لَهُ الطَّعَامُ وَتُقَامُ الصَّلاَةُ فَلاَ يَأْتِيهَا حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ وَإِنَّهُ لَيَسْمَعُ قِرَاءَةَ الإِمَامِ  

The Prophet ﷺ said, "If anyone of you is having his meals, he should not hurry up till he is; satisfied even if the prayer has been started."  

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا كَانَ أَحَدُكُمْ عَلَى الطَّعَامِ فَلاَ يَعْجَلْ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَ حَاجَتَهُ مِنْهُ وَإِنْ أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ رَوَاهُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ الْمُنْذِرِ عَنْ وَهْبِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ وَوَهْبٌ مَدِينِيٌّ  

My father said, "I saw Messenger of Allah ﷺ eating a piece of meat from the shoulder of a sheep and he was called for the prayer. He stood up, put down the knife and prayed but did not perform ablution.''  

رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَأْكُلُ ذِرَاعًا يَحْتَزُّ مِنْهَا فَدُعِيَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَقَامَ فَطَرَحَ السِّكِّينَ فَصَلَّى وَلَمْ يَتَوَضَّأْ  

That he asked ʿAisha "What did the Prophet ﷺ use to do in his house?" She replied, "He used to keep himself busy serving his family and when it was the time for prayer he would go for it."  

سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ مَا كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يَصْنَعُ فِي بَيْتِهِ قَالَتْ كَانَ يَكُونُ فِي مِهْنَةِ أَهْلِهِ تَعْنِي خِدْمَةَ أَهْلِهِ فَإِذَا حَضَرَتِ الصَّلاَةُ خَرَجَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ  

Abu Qilaba said, "Malik bin Huwairith came to this Mosque of ours and said, 'I pray in front of you and my aim is not to lead the prayer but to show you the way in which the Prophet ﷺ used to pray.' " I asked Abu Qilaba, "How did he use to pray?' " He replied, "(The Prophet ﷺ used to pray) like this Sheikh of ours and the Sheikh used to sit for a while after the prostration, before getting up after the first rakʿa. "  

إِنِّي لأُصَلِّي بِكُمْ وَمَا أُرِيدُ الصَّلاَةَ أُصَلِّي كَيْفَ رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي فَقُلْتُ لأَبِي قِلاَبَةَ كَيْفَ كَانَ يُصَلِّي قَالَ مِثْلَ شَيْخِنَا هَذَا قَالَ وَكَانَ شَيْخًا يَجْلِسُ إِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ السُّجُودِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَنْهَضَ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الأُولَى  

"The Prophet ﷺ became sick and when his disease became aggravated, he said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer." ʿAisha said, "He is a softhearted man and would not be able to lead the prayer in your place." The Prophet ﷺ said again, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer." She repeated the same reply but he said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer. You are the companions of Joseph." So the messenger went to Abu Bakr (with that order) and he led the people in prayer in the lifetime of the Prophet.  

مَرِضَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَاشْتَدَّ مَرَضُهُ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ إِنَّهُ رَجُلٌ رَقِيقٌ إِذَا قَامَ مَقَامَكَ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَعَادَتْ فَقَالَ مُرِي أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَإِنَّكُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ فَأَتَاهُ الرَّسُولُ فَصَلَّى بِالنَّاسِ فِي حَيَاةِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ  

the mother of the believers: Messenger of Allah ﷺ in his illness said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer." I said to him, "If Abu Bakr stands in your place, the people would not hear him owing to his (excessive) weeping. So please order ʿUmar to lead the prayer." ʿAisha added I said to Hafsa, "Say to him: If Abu Bakr should lead the people in the prayer in your place, the people would not be able to hear him owing to his weeping; so please, order ʿUmar to lead the prayer." Hafsa did so but Allah's Apostle said, "Keep quiet! You are verily the Companions of Joseph. Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer. " Hafsa said to ʿAisha, "I never got anything good from you."  

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ؓ أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ فِي مَرَضِهِ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ قُلْتُ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ إِذَا قَامَ فِي مَقَامِكَ لَمْ يُسْمِعِ النَّاسَ مِنَ الْبُكَاءِ فَمُرْ عُمَرَ فَلْيُصَلِّ لِلنَّاسِ فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ لِحَفْصَةَ قُولِي لَهُ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ إِذَا قَامَ فِي مَقَامِكَ لَمْ يُسْمِعِ النَّاسَ مِنَ الْبُكَاءِ فَمُرْ عُمَرَ فَلْيُصَلِّ لِلنَّاسِ فَفَعَلَتْ حَفْصَةُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَهْ إِنَّكُنَّ لأَنْتُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ لِلنَّاسِ فَقَالَتْ حَفْصَةُ لِعَائِشَةَ مَا كُنْتُ لأُصِيبَ مِنْكِ خَيْرًا  

Anas bin Malik Al-Ansari, told me, "Abu Bakr used to lead the people in prayer during the fatal illness of the Prophet ﷺ till it was Monday. When the people aligned (in rows) for the prayer the Prophet ﷺ lifted the curtain of his house and started looking at us and was standing at that time. His face was (glittering) like a page of the Qur'an and he smiled cheerfully. We were about to be put to trial for the pleasure of seeing the Prophet, Abu Bakr retreated to join the row as he thought that the Prophet ﷺ would lead the prayer. The Prophet ﷺ beckoned us to complete the prayer and he let the curtain fall. On the same day he died."  

أَخْبَرَنِي أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ الأَنْصَارِيُّ وَكَانَ تَبِعَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَخَدَمَهُ وَصَحِبَهُ أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ كَانَ يُصَلِّي لَهُمْ فِي وَجَعِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ الَّذِي تُوُفِّيَ فِيهِ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَهُمْ صُفُوفٌ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَكَشَفَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ سِتْرَ الْحُجْرَةِ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْنَا وَهْوَ قَائِمٌ كَأَنَّ وَجْهَهُ وَرَقَةُ مُصْحَفٍ ثُمَّ تَبَسَّمَ يَضْحَكُ فَهَمَمْنَا أَنْ نَفْتَتِنَ مِنَ الْفَرَحِ بِرُؤْيَةِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَنَكَصَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ لِيَصِلَ الصَّفَّ وَظَنَّ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ خَارِجٌ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْنَا النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَنْ أَتِمُّوا صَلاَتَكُمْ وَأَرْخَى السِّتْرَ فَتُوُفِّيَ مِنْ يَوْمِهِ  

The Prophet ﷺ did not come out for three days. The people stood for the prayer and Abu Bakr went ahead to lead the prayer. (In the meantime) the Prophet ﷺ caught hold of the curtain and lifted it. When the face of the Prophet ﷺ appeared we had never seen a scene more pleasing than the face of the Prophet ﷺ as it appeared then. The Prophet ﷺ beckoned to Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer and then let the curtain fall. We did not see him (again) till he died.  

لَمْ يَخْرُجِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ ثَلاَثًا فَأُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَذَهَبَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَتَقَدَّمُ فَقَالَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِالْحِجَابِ فَرَفَعَهُ فَلَمَّا وَضَحَ وَجْهُ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ مَا نَظَرْنَا مَنْظَرًا كَانَ أَعْجَبَ إِلَيْنَا مِنْ وَجْهِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ حِينَ وَضَحَ لَنَا فَأَوْمَأَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ أَنْ يَتَقَدَّمَ وَأَرْخَى النَّبِيُّ ﷺ الْحِجَابَ فَلَمْ يُقْدَرْ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى مَاتَ  

My father said, "When Messenger of Allah ﷺ became seriously ill, he was told about the prayer. He said, 'Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer.' ʿAisha said, 'Abu Bakr is a softhearted man and he would be overpowered by his weeping if he recited the Qur'an.' He said to them, 'Tell him (Abu Bakr) to lead the prayer. The same reply was given to him. He said again, 'Tell him to lead the prayer. You (women) are the companions of Joseph."  

لَمَّا اشْتَدَّ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَجَعُهُ قِيلَ لَهُ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ رَقِيقٌ إِذَا قَرَأَ غَلَبَهُ الْبُكَاءُ قَالَ مُرُوهُ فَيُصَلِّي فَعَاوَدَتْهُ قَالَ مُرُوهُ فَيُصَلِّي إِنَّكُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ  

ʿAisha said, "Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer during his illness and so he led them in prayer." ʿUrwa, a sub narrator, added, "Messenger of Allah ﷺ felt a bit relieved and came out and Abu Bakr was leading the people. When Abu Bakr saw the Prophet ﷺ he retreated but the Prophet beckoned him to remain there. Messenger of Allah ﷺ sat beside Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr was following the prayer of Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the people were following the prayer of Abu Bakr."  

أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَبَا بَكْرٍ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ فِي مَرَضِهِ فَكَانَ يُصَلِّي بِهِمْ قَالَ عُرْوَةُ فَوَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَخَرَجَ فَإِذَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَؤُمُّ النَّاسَ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ اسْتَأْخَرَ فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِ أَنْ كَمَا أَنْتَ فَجَلَسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حِذَاءَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ فَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِصَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ يُصَلُّونَ بِصَلاَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ went to establish peace among Bani ʿAmr bin ʿAuf. In the meantime the time of prayer was due and the Mu'adh-dhin went to Abu Bakr and said, "Will you lead the prayer, so that I may pronounce the Iqama?" Abu Bakr replied in the affirmative and led the prayer. Messenger of Allah ﷺ came while the people were still praying and he entered the rows of the praying people till he stood in the (first row). The people clapped their hands. Abu Bakr never glanced sideways in his prayer but when the people continued clapping, Abu Bakr looked and saw Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Messenger of Allah ﷺ beckoned him to stay at his place. Abu Bakr raised his hands and thanked Allah for that order of Messenger of Allah ﷺ and then he retreated till he reached the first row. Messenger of Allah ﷺ went forward and led the prayer. When Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished the prayer, he said, "O Abu Bakr! What prevented you from staying when I ordered you to do so?" Abu Bakr replied, "How can Ibn Abi Quhafa (Abu Bakr) dare to lead the prayer in the presence of Messenger of Allah ﷺ?" Then Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Why did you clap so much? If something happens to anyone during his prayer he should say Subhan Allah. If he says so he will be attended to, for clapping is for women."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ ذَهَبَ إِلَى بَنِي عَمْرِو بْنِ عَوْفٍ لِيُصْلِحَ بَيْنَهُمْ فَحَانَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَجَاءَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ أَتُصَلِّي لِلنَّاسِ فَأُقِيمَ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَصَلَّى أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَتَخَلَّصَ حَتَّى وَقَفَ فِي الصَّفِّ فَصَفَّقَ النَّاسُ وَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ لاَ يَلْتَفِتُ فِي صَلاَتِهِ فَلَمَّا أَكْثَرَ النَّاسُ التَّصْفِيقَ الْتَفَتَ فَرَأَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَنِ امْكُثْ مَكَانَكَ فَرَفَعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ؓ يَدَيْهِ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا أَمَرَهُ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ اسْتَأْخَرَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حَتَّى اسْتَوَى فِي الصَّفِّ وَتَقَدَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَصَلَّى فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تَثْبُتَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ مَا كَانَ لاِبْنِ أَبِي قُحَافَةَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَا لِي رَأَيْتُكُمْ أَكْثَرْتُمُ التَّصْفِيقَ مَنْ رَابَهُ شَىْءٌ فِي صَلاَتِهِ فَلْيُسَبِّحْ فَإِنَّهُ إِذَا سَبَّحَ الْتُفِتَ إِلَيْهِ وَإِنَّمَا التَّصْفِيقُ لِلنِّسَاءِ  

We went to the Prophet ﷺ and we were all young men and stayed with him for about twenty nights. The Prophet ﷺ was very merciful. He said, "When you return home, impart religious teachings to your families and tell them to offer perfectly such and such a prayer at such and such a time and such and such a prayer at such and such a time. And at the time of the prayer one of you should pronounce the Adhan and the oldest of you should lead the prayer."  

قَدِمْنَا عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَنَحْنُ شَبَبَةٌ فَلَبِثْنَا عِنْدَهُ نَحْوًا مِنْ عِشْرِينَ لَيْلَةً وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ رَحِيمًا فَقَالَ لَوْ رَجَعْتُمْ إِلَى بِلاَدِكُمْ فَعَلَّمْتُمُوهُمْ مُرُوهُمْ فَلْيُصَلُّوا صَلاَةَ كَذَا فِي حِينِ كَذَا وَصَلاَةَ كَذَا فِي حِينِ كَذَا وَإِذَا حَضَرَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَلْيُؤَذِّنْ لَكُمْ أَحَدُكُمْ وَلْيَؤُمَّكُمْ أَكْبَرُكُمْ  

The Prophet (came to my house and) asked permission for entering and I allowed him. He asked, "Where do you like me to pray in your house?" I pointed to a place which I liked. He stood up for prayer and we aligned behind him and he finished the prayer with Taslim and we did the same.  

اسْتَأْذَنَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهُ فَقَالَ أَيْنَ تُحِبُّ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ مِنْ بَيْتِكَ فَأَشَرْتُ لَهُ إِلَى الْمَكَانِ الَّذِي أُحِبُّ فَقَامَ وَصَفَفْنَا خَلْفَهُ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ وَسَلَّمْنَا  

I went to ʿAisha and asked her to describe to me the illness of Messenger of Allah ﷺ. ʿAisha said, "Yes. The Prophet became seriously ill and asked whether the people had prayed. We replied, 'No. O Allah's Apostle! They are waiting for you.' He added, 'Put water for me in a trough." ʿAisha added, "We did so. He took a bath and tried to get up but fainted. When he recovered, he again asked whether the people had prayed. We said, 'No, they are waiting for you. O Messenger of Allah ﷺ,' He again said, 'Put water in a trough for me.' He sat down and took a bath and tried to get up but fainted again. Then he recovered and said, 'Have the people prayed?' We replied, 'No, they are waiting for you. O Allah's Apostle.' He said, 'Put water for me in the trough.' Then he sat down and washed himself and tried to get up but he fainted. When he recovered, he asked, 'Have the people prayed?' We said, 'No, they are waiting for you. O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! The people were in the mosque waiting for the Prophet ﷺ for the ʿIsha prayer. The Prophet ﷺ sent for Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer. The messenger went to Abu Bakr and said, 'Messenger of Allah ﷺ orders you to lead the people in the prayer.' Abu Bakr was a softhearted man, so he asked ʿUmar to lead the prayer but ʿUmar replied, 'You are more rightful.' So Abu Bakr led the prayer in those days. When the Prophet ﷺ felt a bit better, he came out for the Zuhr prayer with the help of two persons one of whom was Al-ʿAbbas. while Abu Bakr was leading the people in the prayer. When Abu Bakr saw him he wanted to retreat but the Prophet ﷺ beckoned him not to do so and asked them to make him sit beside Abu Bakr and they did so. Abu Bakr was following the Prophet (in the prayer) and the people were following Abu Bakr. The Prophet (prayed) sitting." 'Ubaidullah added "I went to ʿAbdullah bin ʿAbbas and asked him, Shall I tell you what Aisha has told me about the fatal illness of the Prophet?' Ibn ʿAbbas said, 'Go ahead. I told him her narration and he did not deny anything of it but asked whether ʿAisha told me the name of the second person (who helped the Prophet ﷺ ) along with Al-Abbas. I said. 'No.' He said, 'He was ʿAli (Ibn Abi Talib).  

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ فَقُلْتُ أَلاَ تُحَدِّثِينِي عَنْ مَرَضِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ بَلَى ثَقُلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَقَالَ أَصَلَّى النَّاسُ قُلْنَا لاَ هُمْ يَنْتَظِرُونَكَ قَالَ ضَعُوا لِي مَاءً فِي الْمِخْضَبِ قَالَتْ فَفَعَلْنَا فَاغْتَسَلَ فَذَهَبَ لِيَنُوءَ فَأُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ أَفَاقَ فَقَالَ ﷺ أَصَلَّى النَّاسُ قُلْنَا لاَ هُمْ يَنْتَظِرُونَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ضَعُوا لِي مَاءً فِي الْمِخْضَبِ قَالَتْ فَقَعَدَ فَاغْتَسَلَ ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ لِيَنُوءَ فَأُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ أَفَاقَ فَقَالَ أَصَلَّى النَّاسُ قُلْنَا لاَ هُمْ يَنْتَظِرُونَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ ضَعُوا لِي مَاءً فِي الْمِخْضَبِ فَقَعَدَ فَاغْتَسَلَ ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ لِيَنُوءَ فَأُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ أَفَاقَ فَقَالَ أَصَلَّى النَّاسُ فَقُلْنَا لاَ هُمْ يَنْتَظِرُونَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَالنَّاسُ عُكُوفٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ يَنْتَظِرُونَ النَّبِيَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ لِصَلاَةِ الْعِشَاءِ الآخِرَةِ فَأَرْسَلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ بِأَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ فَأَتَاهُ الرَّسُولُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَأْمُرُكَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَكَانَ رَجُلاً رَقِيقًا يَا عُمَرُ صَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَرُ أَنْتَ أَحَقُّ بِذَلِكَ فَصَلَّى أَبُو بَكْرٍ تِلْكَ الأَيَّامَ ثُمَّ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَجَدَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَخَرَجَ بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَا الْعَبَّاسُ لِصَلاَةِ الظُّهْرِ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ذَهَبَ لِيَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بِأَنْ لاَ يَتَأَخَّرَ قَالَ أَجْلِسَانِي إِلَى جَنْبِهِ فَأَجْلَسَاهُ إِلَى جَنْبِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ قَالَ فَجَعَلَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي وَهْوَ يَأْتَمُّ بِصَلاَةِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ بِصَلاَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَالنَّبِيُّ ﷺ قَاعِدٌ قَالَ عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَلاَ أَعْرِضُ عَلَيْكَ مَا حَدَّثَتْنِي عَائِشَةُ عَنْ مَرَضِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ هَاتِ فَعَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ حَدِيثَهَا فَمَا أَنْكَرَ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ أَسَمَّتْ لَكَ الرَّجُلَ الَّذِي كَانَ مَعَ الْعَبَّاسِ قُلْتُ لاَ قَالَ هُوَ عَلِيٌّ  

the mother of the believers: Messenger of Allah ﷺ during his illness prayed at his house while sitting whereas some people prayed behind him standing. The Prophet ﷺ beckoned them to sit down. On completion of the prayer, he said, 'The Imam is to be followed: bow when he bows, raise up your heads (stand erect) when he raises his head and when he says, 'Samiʿa l-lahu liman hamidah' (Allah heard those who sent praises to Him) say then 'Rabbana wa laka l-hamd' (O our Lord! All the praises are for You), and if he prays sitting then pray sitting."  

أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي بَيْتِهِ وَهْوَ شَاكٍ فَصَلَّى جَالِسًا وَصَلَّى وَرَاءَهُ قَوْمٌ قِيَامًا فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِمْ أَنِ اجْلِسُوا فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا رَفَعَ فَارْفَعُوا وَإِذَا صَلَّى جَالِسًا فَصَلُّوا جُلُوسًا  

Once Messenger of Allah ﷺ rode a horse and fell down and the right side (of his body) was injured. He offered one of the prayers while sitting and we also prayed behind him sitting. When he completed the prayer, he said, "The Imam is to be followed. Pray standing if he prays standing and bow when he bows; rise when he rises; and if he says, 'Samiʿa l-lahu-liman hamidah, say then, 'Rabbana wa laka lhamd' and pray standing if he prays standing and pray sitting (all of you) if he prays sitting." Humaid said: The saying of the Prophet ﷺ "Pray sitting, if he (Imam) prays sitting" was said in his former illness (during his early life) but the Prophet ﷺ prayed sitting afterwards (in the last illness) and the people were praying standing behind him and the Prophet ﷺ did not order them to sit. We should follow the latest actions of the Prophet.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ رَكِبَ فَرَسًا فَصُرِعَ عَنْهُ فَجُحِشَ شِقُّهُ الأَيْمَنُ فَصَلَّى صَلاَةً مِنَ الصَّلَوَاتِ وَهْوَ قَاعِدٌ فَصَلَّيْنَا وَرَاءَهُ قُعُودًا فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا صَلَّى قَائِمًا فَصَلُّوا قِيَامًا فَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا رَفَعَ فَارْفَعُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ فَقُولُوا رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَإِذَا صَلَّى قَائِمًا فَصَلُّوا قِيَامًا وَإِذَا صَلَّى جَالِسًا فَصَلُّوا جُلُوسًا أَجْمَعُونَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ الْحُمَيْدِيُّ قَوْلُهُ إِذَا صَلَّى جَالِسًا فَصَلُّوا جُلُوسًا هُوَ فِي مَرَضِهِ الْقَدِيمِ ثُمَّ صَلَّى بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ جَالِسًا وَالنَّاسُ خَلْفَهُ قِيَامًا لَمْ يَأْمُرْهُمْ بِالْقُعُودِ وَإِنَّمَا يُؤْخَذُ بِالآخِرِ فَالآخِرِ مِنْ فِعْلِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ  

(and he was not a liar) When Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Samiʿa l-lahu liman hamidah" none of us bent his back (for prostration) till the Prophet ﷺ prostrated and then we would prostrate after him.  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ لَمْ يَحْنِ أَحَدٌ مِنَّا ظَهْرَهُ حَتَّى يَقَعَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ نَقَعُ سُجُودًا بَعْدَهُ  

As above.  

عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ نَحْوَهُ بِهَذَا  

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Isn't he who raises his head before the Imam afraid that Allah may transform his head into that of a donkey or his figure (face) into that of a donkey?"  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ أَمَا يَخْشَى أَحَدُكُمْ أَوْ لاَ يَخْشَى أَحَدُكُمْ إِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ قَبْلَ الإِمَامِ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ رَأْسَهُ رَأْسَ حِمَارٍ أَوْ يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ صُورَتَهُ صُورَةَ حِمَارٍ  

When the earliest emigrants came to Al-ʿUsba [??] a place in Quba', before the arrival of the Prophet- Salim, the slave of Abu Hudhaifa, who knew the Qur'an more than the others used to lead them in prayer.  

لَمَّا قَدِمَ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ الأَوَّلُونَ الْعُصْبَةَ مَوْضِعٌ بِقُبَاءٍ قَبْلَ مَقْدَمِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يَؤُمُّهُمْ سَالِمٌ مَوْلَى أَبِي حُذَيْفَةَ وَكَانَ أَكْثَرَهُمْ قُرْآنًا  

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Listen and obey (your chief) even if an Ethiopian whose head is like a raisin were made your chief."  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ اسْمَعُوا وَأَطِيعُوا وَإِنِ اسْتُعْمِلَ حَبَشِيٌّ كَأَنَّ رَأْسَهُ زَبِيبَةٌ  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "If the Imam leads the prayer correctly then he and you will receive the rewards but if he makes a mistake (in the prayer) then you will receive the reward for the prayer and the sin will be his."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ يُصَلُّونَ لَكُمْ فَإِنْ أَصَابُوا فَلَكُمْ وَإِنْ أَخْطَئُوا فَلَكُمْ وَعَلَيْهِمْ  

I went to 'Uthman bin Affan while he was besieged, and said to him, "You are the chief of all Muslims in general and you see what has befallen you. We are led in the Salat (prayer) by a leader of Al-Fitan (trials and afflictions etc.) and we are afraid of being sinful in following him." 'Uthman said. "As-Salat (the prayers) is the best of all deeds so when the people do good deeds do the same with them and when they do bad deeds, avoid those bad deeds." Az-Zuhri said, "In our opinion one should not offer Salat behind an effeminate person unless there is no alternative."  

إِنَّكَ إِمَامُ عَامَّةٍ وَنَزَلَ بِكَ مَا تَرَى وَيُصَلِّي لَنَا إِمَامُ فِتْنَةٍ وَنَتَحَرَّجُ فَقَالَ الصَّلاَةُ أَحْسَنُ مَا يَعْمَلُ النَّاسُ فَإِذَا أَحْسَنَ النَّاسُ فَأَحْسِنْ مَعَهُمْ وَإِذَا أَسَاءُوا فَاجْتَنِبْ إِسَاءَتَهُمْ وَقَالَ الزُّبَيْدِيُّ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ لاَ نَرَى أَنْ يُصَلَّى خَلْفَ الْمُخَنَّثِ إِلاَّ مِنْ ضَرُورَةٍ لاَ بُدَّ مِنْهَا  

The Prophet ﷺ said to Abu-Dhar, "Listen and obey (your chief) even if he is an Ethiopian with a head like a raisin."  

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ لأَبِي ذَرٍّ اسْمَعْ وَأَطِعْ وَلَوْ لِحَبَشِيٍّ كَأَنَّ رَأْسَهُ زَبِيبَةٌ  

Once I passed the night in the house of my aunt Maimuna. Messenger of Allah ﷺ offered the ʿIsha' prayer and then came to the house and offered four rakʿat an slept. Later on, he woke up and stood for the prayer and I stood on his left side. He drew me to his right and prayed five rakʿat and then two. He then slept till I heard him snoring (or heard his breath sounds). Afterwards he went out for the morning prayer.  

بِتُّ فِي بَيْتِ خَالَتِي مَيْمُونَةَ فَصَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ الْعِشَاءَ ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَصَلَّى أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ ثُمَّ نَامَ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَجِئْتُ فَقُمْتُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ فَجَعَلَنِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ فَصَلَّى خَمْسَ رَكَعَاتٍ ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ نَامَ حَتَّى سَمِعْتُ غَطِيطَهُ أَوْ قَالَ خَطِيطَهُ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ  

One night I slept at the house of (my aunt) Maimuna and the Prophet ﷺ was there on that night. He performed ablution and stood up for the prayer. I joined him and stood on his left side but he drew me to his right and prayed thirteen rakʿat and then slept till I heard his breath sounds. And whenever he slept, he used to breathe with audible sounds. The Mu'adh-dhin came to the Prophet ﷺ and he went out and prayed the morning prayer) without repeating the ablution.  

نِمْتُ عِنْدَ مَيْمُونَةَ وَالنَّبِيُّ ﷺ عِنْدَهَا تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ فَتَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ قَامَ يُصَلِّي فَقُمْتُ عَلَى يَسَارِهِ فَأَخَذَنِي فَجَعَلَنِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ فَصَلَّى ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً ثُمَّ نَامَ حَتَّى نَفَخَ وَكَانَ إِذَا نَامَ نَفَخَ ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ فَخَرَجَ فَصَلَّى وَلَمْ يَتَوَضَّأْ قَالَ عَمْرٌو فَحَدَّثْتُ بِهِ بُكَيْرًا فَقَالَ حَدَّثَنِي كُرَيْبٌ بِذَلِكَ  

Once I passed the night in the house of my aunt Maimuna. The Prophet ﷺ stood for the night prayer and I joined him and stood on his left side but he drew me to his right by holding me by the head.  

بِتُّ عِنْدَ خَالَتِي فَقَامَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَقُمْتُ أُصَلِّي مَعَهُ فَقُمْتُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ فَأَخَذَ بِرَأْسِي فَأَقَامَنِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ  

I used to pray the ʿIsha prayer with the Prophet ﷺ and then go to lead my people in the prayer.  

أَنَّ مُعَاذَ بْنَ جَبَلٍ كَانَ يُصَلِّي مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ فَيَؤُمُّ قَوْمَهُ  

Jabir bin ʿAbdullah said, "Muʿadh bin Jabal used to pray with the Prophet ﷺ and then go to lead his people in prayer Once he led the ʿIsha' prayer and recited Surat "Al-Baqara." Somebody left the prayer and Muʿadh criticized him. The news reached the Prophet ﷺ and he said to Muʿadh, 'You are putting the people to trial,' and repeated it thrice (or said something similar) and ordered him to recite two medium Suras of Mufassal." (ʿAmr said that he had forgotten the names of those Suras).  

كَانَ مُعَاذُ بْنُ جَبَلٍ يُصَلِّي مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ فَيَؤُمُّ قَوْمَهُ فَصَلَّى الْعِشَاءَ فَقَرَأَ بِالْبَقَرَةِ فَانْصَرَفَ الرَّجُلُ فَكَأَنَّ مُعَاذًا تَنَاوَلَ مِنْهُ فَبَلَغَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ فَتَّانٌ فَتَّانٌ فَتَّانٌ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ أَوْ قَالَ فَاتِنًا فَاتِنًا فَاتِنٌ وَأَمَرَهُ بِسُورَتَيْنِ مِنْ أَوْسَطِ الْمُفَصَّلِ قَالَ عَمْرٌو لاَ أَحْفَظُهُمَا  

A man came and said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! By Allah, I keep away from the morning prayer only because So and so prolongs the prayer when he leads us in it." The narrator said, "I never saw Allah's Apostle more furious in giving advice than he was at that time. He then said, "Some of you make people dislike good deeds (the prayer). So whoever among you leads the people in prayer should shorten it because among them are the weak, the old and the needy."  

وَاللَّهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لأَتَأَخَّرُ عَنْ صَلاَةِ الْغَدَاةِ مِنْ أَجْلِ فُلاَنٍ مِمَّا يُطِيلُ بِنَا فَمَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي مَوْعِظَةٍ أَشَدَّ غَضَبًا مِنْهُ يَوْمَئِذٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ مِنْكُمْ مُنَفِّرِينَ فَأَيُّكُمْ مَا صَلَّى بِالنَّاسِ فَلْيَتَجَوَّزْ فَإِنَّ فِيهِمُ الضَّعِيفَ وَالْكَبِيرَ وَذَا الْحَاجَةِ  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "If anyone of you leads the people in the prayer, he should shorten it for amongst them are the weak, the sick and the old; and if anyone among your prays alone then he may prolong (the prayer) as much as he wishes. "  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ لِلنَّاسِ فَلْيُخَفِّفْ فَإِنَّ مِنْهُمُ الضَّعِيفَ وَالسَّقِيمَ وَالْكَبِيرَ وَإِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ لِنَفْسِهِ فَلْيُطَوِّلْ مَا شَاءَ  

A man came and said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I keep away from the morning prayer because so-and-so (Imam) prolongs it too much." Messenger of Allah ﷺ became furious and I had never seen him more furious than he was on that day. The Prophet ﷺ said, "O people! Some of you make others dislike the prayer, so whoever becomes an Imam he should shorten the prayer, as behind him are the weak, the old and the needy.''  

رَجُلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لأَتَأَخَّرُ عَنِ الصَّلاَةِ فِي الْفَجْرِ مِمَّا يُطِيلُ بِنَا فُلاَنٌ فِيهَا فَغَضِبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَا رَأَيْتُهُ غَضِبَ فِي مَوْضِعٍ كَانَ أَشَدَّ غَضَبًا مِنْهُ يَوْمَئِذٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ مِنْكُمْ مُنَفِّرِينَ فَمَنْ أَمَّ النَّاسَ فَلْيَتَجَوَّزْ فَإِنَّ خَلْفَهُ الضَّعِيفَ وَالْكَبِيرَ وَذَا الْحَاجَةِ  

Once a man was driving two Nadihas (camels used for agricultural purposes) and night had fallen. He found Muʿadh praying so he made his camel kneel and joined Muʿadh in the prayer. The latter recited Surat 'Al-Baqara" or Surat "An-Nisa", (so) the man left the prayer and went away. When he came to know that Muʿadh had criticized him, he went to the Prophet, and complained against Muʿadh. The Prophet said thrice, "O Muʿadh ! Are you putting the people to trial?" It would have been better if you had recited "Sabbih Isma Rabbika-l-Aʿla (87)", Wash-shamsi wa duhaha (91)", or "Wal-laili idha yaghsha (92)", for the old, the weak and the needy pray behind you." Jabir said that Muʿadh recited Sura Al-Baqara in the ʿIsha' prayer.  

أَقْبَلَ رَجُلٌ بِنَاضِحَيْنِ وَقَدْ جَنَحَ اللَّيْلُ فَوَافَقَ مُعَاذًا يُصَلِّي فَتَرَكَ نَاضِحَهُ وَأَقْبَلَ إِلَى مُعَاذٍ فَقَرَأَ بِسُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ أَوِ النِّسَاءِ فَانْطَلَقَ الرَّجُلُ وَبَلَغَهُ أَنَّ مُعَاذًا نَالَ مِنْهُ فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ مُعَاذًا فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يَا مُعَاذُ أَفَتَّانٌ أَنْتَ أَوْ فَاتِنٌ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ فَلَوْلاَ صَلَّيْتَ بِسَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ وَالشَّمْسِ وَضُحَاهَا وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَى فَإِنَّهُ يُصَلِّي وَرَاءَكَ الْكَبِيرُ وَالضَّعِيفُ وَذُو الْحَاجَةِ أَحْسِبُ هَذَا فِي الْحَدِيثِ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَتَابَعَهُ سَعِيدُ بْنُ مَسْرُوقٍ وَمِسْعَرٌ وَالشَّيْبَانِيُّ قَالَ عَمْرٌو وَعُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مِقْسَمٍ وَأَبُو الزُّبَيْرِ عَنْ جَابِرٍ قَرَأَ مُعَاذٌ فِي الْعِشَاءِ بِالْبَقَرَةِ وَتَابَعَهُ الأَعْمَشُ عَنْ مُحَارِبٍ