I used to accompany Salama bin Al-Akwaʿ and he used to pray behind the pillar which was near the place where the Qur'ans were kept. I said, "O Abu Muslim! I see you always seeking to pray behind this pillar." He replied, "I saw Messenger of Allah ﷺ always seeking to pray near that pillar."  

كُنْتُ آتِي مَعَ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ الأَكْوَعِ فَيُصَلِّي عِنْدَ الأُسْطُوَانَةِ الَّتِي عِنْدَ الْمُصْحَفِ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَا مُسْلِمٍ أَرَاكَ تَتَحَرَّى الصَّلاَةَ عِنْدَ هَذِهِ الأُسْطُوَانَةِ قَالَ فَإِنِّي رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَتَحَرَّى الصَّلاَةَ عِنْدَهَا  

I saw the most famous people amongst the companions of the Prophet ﷺ hurrying towards the pillars at the Maghrib prayer before the Prophet ﷺ came for the prayer.  

لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ كِبَارَ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ يَبْتَدِرُونَ السَّوَارِيَ عِنْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَزَادَ شُعْبَةُ عَنْ عَمْرٍو عَنْ أَنَسٍ حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ