I am one among you who is more informed of the way the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed. They said: Why, By Allah, you did not follow him more than us, nor did you remain in his company longer than us? He said: Yes. They said: Then describe (how the Prophet prayed). He said: When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood up to pray, he raised his hands so as to bring them opposite his shoulders, and uttered the takbir (Allah is the most great), until every bone rested in its place properly: then re recited (some verses from the Quran); then he uttered the takbir (Allah is most great), 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: “Allah listens to him who praise Him”; then raised his hands so as to bring them exactly opposite to his shoulders; then uttered: “Allah is most great”; then lowered himself to the ground (in prostration), keeping his arms away from his sides; then raised his head, bent his left foot and sat on it, and opened the toes when he prostrated: then he uttered: “Allah is most great”; then raised his head, bent his left foot and sat on it so that every bone returned to its place properly; then he did the same in the second (rak’ah). At the end of the two Rak’ahs he stood up and uttered the takbir (Allah is most great), raising his hands so as to bring them opposite to his shoulders; then he bowed, placing the palms of his hands on his knees and keeping himself straight, neither raising or lowering his head: then raised his head saying: “Allah listens to him who praises Him”; then raised his hands so as to bring them exactly opposite his shoulders; then uttered: “Allah is most great”; then lowered himself to the ground (in prostration), keeping his arms away from his sides; then raised his head, bent his left foot and sat on it, and opened the toes when he prostrated himself; then he prostrated; then uttered: “Allah is most great”; then raised his head, bent his left foot and sat on it so that every bone returned to its place properly; then he did the same in the second (rak’ah). At the end of two rak’ahs he stood up and uttered the takbir (Allah is most great), raising his hands so as to bring them opposite to his shoulders in the way he had uttered the Takbir (Allah is most great) at the beginning of the prayer; then he did that in the remainder of his prayer; and after prostration which if followed by the taslim (salutation) he out his left foot and sat on his left hip. They said: You have spoken the truth. This is how he(peace be upon him) used to pray.  

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا حُمَيْدٍ السَّاعِدِيَّ فِي عَشْرَةٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْهُمْ أَبُو قَتَادَةَ قَالَ أَبُو حُمَيْدٍ أَنَا أَعْلَمُكُمْ بِصَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالُوا فَلِمَ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا كُنْتَ بِأَكْثَرِنَا لَهُ تَبَعًا وَلاَ أَقْدَمَنَا لَهُ صُحْبَةً قَالَ بَلَى قَالُوا فَاعْرِضْ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ حَتَّى يَقِرَّ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ مُعْتَدِلاً ثُمَّ يَقْرَأُ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ فَيَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَرْكَعُ وَيَضَعُ رَاحَتَيْهِ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَعْتَدِلُ فَلاَ يَصُبُّ رَأْسَهُ وَلاَ يُقْنِعُ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ فَيَقُولُ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ مُعْتَدِلاً ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ يَهْوِي إِلَى الأَرْضِ فَيُجَافِي يَدَيْهِ عَنْ جَنْبَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ وَيَثْنِي رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى فَيَقْعُدُ عَلَيْهَا وَيَفْتَحُ أَصَابِعَ رِجْلَيْهِ إِذَا سَجَدَ وَيَسْجُدُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَيَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ وَيَثْنِي رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى فَيَقْعُدُ عَلَيْهَا حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ ثُمَّ يَصْنَعُ فِي الأُخْرَى مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ كَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ كَمَا كَبَّرَ عِنْدَ افْتِتَاحِ الصَّلاَةِ ثُمَّ يَصْنَعُ ذَلِكَ فِي بَقِيَّةِ صَلاَتِهِ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَتِ السَّجْدَةُ الَّتِي فِيهَا التَّسْلِيمُ أَخَّرَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَقَعَدَ مُتَوَرِّكًا عَلَى شِقِّهِ الأَيْسَرِ قَالُوا صَدَقْتَ هَكَذَا كَانَ يُصَلِّي ﷺ  

he (Muhammad) said: "I heard him saying - while he was among ten of the Companions of the Prophet, one of whom was Abu Qatadah bin Ribi - 'I am the most knowledgeable among you of the Salat of the Messenger of Allah.' They said: 'You did not precede us in his companionship, nor were you in his company more than us.' He said: 'Even still." They said: 'Go ahead.' So he said: 'When Messenger of Allah stood for Salat he would stand with his back straight and raise his hands until they were at the level of his shoulder. Then he would say: (Allahu Akbar) "Allah is Most Great" and bow. Then he would straighten (his back) so that he would not lower his head, nor raise it, and he placed his hands on his knees. Then he said: (Sami Allahu liman hamidah) "Allah listens to those who praise Him." And he raised his hands and stood up straight until all of his bones completely returned to their places. Then he went down to the ground prostrating, then he said: (Allahu Akbar) "Allah is Most Great." Then he held his upper arms away from his midsection, and opened his toes on his feet (facing the Qiblah), then he bend his left foot and sat on it then straightened up until all of his bones completely returned to their placed, then he went down to prostrate. Then he said: (Allahu Akbar) "Allah is Most Great," then he bent his foot and sat and straightened up until all of his bones completely returned to their places. Then he got up. Then in the second Rak'ah he did the same as that, such that when he stood from the two prostrations, he sad the Takbir and raised his hands until they were at the level of his shoulders as he did when he opened the Salat. Then he did like that until it was the Rak'ah in which his Salat was to end, when he moved his left foot over and sat on his side (in the Mutawarrik postion). Then he said the Taslim.'"  

سَمِعْتُهُ وَهُوَ فِي عَشَرَةٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَحَدُهُمْ أَبُو قَتَادَةَ بْنُ رِبْعِيٍّ يَقُولُ أَنَا أَعْلَمُكُمْ بِصَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالُوا مَا كُنْتَ أَقْدَمَنَا لَهُ صُحْبَةً وَلاَ أَكْثَرَنَا لَهُ إِتْيَانًا قَالَ بَلَى قَالُوا فَاعْرِضْ فَقَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ اعْتَدَلَ قَائِمًا وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ فَإِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَرَكَعَ ثُمَّ اعْتَدَلَ فَلَمْ يُصَوِّبْ رَأْسَهُ وَلَمْ يُقْنِعْ وَوَضَعَ يَدَيْهِ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ وَاعْتَدَلَ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ مُعْتَدِلاً ثُمَّ أَهْوَى إِلَى الأَرْضِ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ جَافَى عَضُدَيْهِ عَنْ إِبْطَيْهِ وَفَتَخَ أَصَابِعَ رِجْلَيْهِ ثُمَّ ثَنَى رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَقَعَدَ عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ اعْتَدَلَ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ مُعْتَدِلاً ثُمَّ أَهْوَى سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ ثَنَى رِجْلَهُ وَقَعَدَ وَاعْتَدَلَ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ ثُمَّ نَهَضَ ثُمَّ صَنَعَ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ السَّجْدَتَيْنِ كَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ كَمَا صَنَعَ حِينَ افْتَتَحَ الصَّلاَةَ ثُمَّ صَنَعَ كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى كَانَتِ الرَّكْعَةُ الَّتِي تَنْقَضِي فِيهَا صَلاَتُهُ أَخَّرَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَقَعَدَ عَلَى شِقِّهِ مُتَوَرِّكًا ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ  

‘While he was among ten of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ including Abu Qatadah: “I heard Abu Humaid As-Sa’idi say: ‘I am the most knowledgeable of you concerning the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.’ They said: ‘Why? By Allah, you did not follow him more than we did, and you did not accompany him for longer.’ He said: ‘Yes I am.’ They said: ‘Show us.’ He said: ‘When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood up for prayer, he would say the Takbir, then he would raise his hands parallel to his shoulders, and every part of his body would settle in place. Then he would recite, then he would raise his hands parallel to his shoulders and bow, placing his palms on his knees and supporting his weight on them. He neither lowered his head, nor raised it up, it was evenly balanced (between either extreme). Then he would say: “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him); and he would raise his hands parallel with his shoulders, until every bone returned to its place. Then he would prostrate himself on the ground, keeping his arms away from his sides. Then he would raise his head and tuck his left foot under him and sit on it, and he would spread his toes when he prostrated.* Then he would prostrate, then say the Takbir and sit on his left foot, until every bone returned to its place. Then he would stand up and do the same in the next Rak’ah. Then when he stood up after two Rak’ah, he would raise his hands level with his shoulders as he did at the beginning of the prayer. Then he would offer the rest of his prayer in like manner until, when he did the prostration after which the Taslim comes, he would push one of his feet back and sit with his weight on his left side, Mutawarrikan.’** They said: ‘You have spoken the truth; this is how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform the prayer.’” * Meaning that he would plant them in such a way that they were facing the Qiblah. ** Mutawarrikan: i.e., sitting with the left foot brought forward so that one's buttocks are in direct contact with the ground.  

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا حُمَيْدٍ السَّاعِدِيَّ فِي عَشْرَةٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِيهِمْ أَبُو قَتَادَةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو حُمَيْدٍ أَنَا أَعْلَمُكُمْ بِصَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالُوا لِمَ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا كُنْتَ بِأَكْثَرِنَا لَهُ تَبَعَةً وَلاَ أَقْدَمَنَا لَهُ صُحْبَةً قَالَ بَلَى قَالُوا فَاعْرِضْ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ كَبَّرَ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ وَيَقِرَّ كُلُّ عُضْوٍ مِنْهُ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ ثُمَّ يَقْرَأُ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ وَيَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَرْكَعُ وَيَضَعُ رَاحَتَيْهِ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْهِ مُعْتَمِدًا لاَ يَصُبُّ رَأْسَهُ وَلاَ يُقْنِعُ مُعْتَدِلاً ثُمَّ يَقُولُ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ وَيَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ حَتَّى يَقِرَّ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ ثُمَّ يَهْوِي إِلَى الأَرْضِ وَيُجَافِي يَدَيْهِ عَنْ جَنْبَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ وَيَثْنِي رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى فَيَقْعُدُ عَلَيْهَا وَيَفْتَخُ أَصَابِعَ رِجْلَيْهِ إِذَا سَجَدَ ثُمَّ يَسْجُدُ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ وَيَجْلِسُ عَلَى رِجْلِهِ الْيُسْرَى حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ مِنْهُ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَيَصْنَعُ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الأُخْرَى مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ كَمَا صَنَعَ عِنْدَ افْتِتَاحِ الصَّلاَةِ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي بَقِيَّةَ صَلاَتِهِ هَكَذَا حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَتِ السَّجْدَةُ الَّتِي يَنْقَضِي فِيهَا التَّسْلِيمُ أَخَّرَ إِحْدَى رِجْلَيْهِ وَجَلَسَ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الأَيْسَرِ مُتَوَرِّكًا قَالُوا صَدَقْتَ هَكَذَا كَانَ يُصَلِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ  

he (Muhammad) said: "I heard him saying - while he was among ten of the Companions of the Prophet, one of whom was Abu Qatadah bin Ribi - 'I am the most knowledgeable among you of the Salat of the Messenger of Allah.' They said: 'You did not precede us in his companionship, nor were you in his company more than us.' He said: 'Even still." They said: 'Go ahead.' So he said: 'When Messenger of Allah stood for Salat he would stand with his back straight and raise his hands until they were at the level of his shoulder. Then he would say: (Allahu Akbar) "Allah is Most Great" and bow. Then he would straighten (his back) so that he would not lower his head, nor raise it, and he placed his hands on his knees. Then he said: (Sami Allahu liman hamidah) "Allah listens to those who praise Him." And he raised his hands and stood up straight until all of his bones completely returned to their places. Then he went down to the ground prostrating, then he said: (Allahu Akbar) "Allah is Most Great." Then he held his upper arms away from his midsection, and opened his toes on his feet (facing the Qiblah), then he bend his left foot and sat on it then straightened up until all of his bones completely returned to their placed, then he went down to prostrate. Then he said: (Allahu Akbar) "Allah is Most Great," then he bent his foot and sat and straightened up until all of his bones completely returned to their places. Then he got up. Then in the second Rak'ah he did the same as that, such that when he stood from the two prostrations, he sad the Takbir and raised his hands until they were at the level of his shoulders as he did when he opened the Salat. Then he did like that until it was the Rak'ah in which his Salat was to end, when he moved his left foot over and sat on his side (in the Mutawarrik postion). Then he said the Taslim.'" (Using translation from Tirmidhī 304)  

سَمِعْتُهُ وَهُوَ فِي عَشَرَةٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَحَدُهُمْ أَبُو قَتَادَةَ بْنُ رِبْعِيٍّ يَقُولُ أَنَا أَعْلَمُكُمْ بِصَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَالُوا لَهُ مَا كُنْتَ أَقْدَمَنَا صُحْبَةً وَلَا أَكْثَرَنَا لَهُ تَبَاعَةً قَالَ بَلَى قَالُوا فَاعْرِضْقَالَ كَانَ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ اعْتَدَلَ قَائِمًا وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى حَاذَى بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ فَإِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ فَرَكَعَ ثُمَّ اعْتَدَلَ فَلَمْ يَصُبَّ رَأْسَهُ وَلَمْ يَقْنَعْهُ وَوَضَعَ يَدَيْهِ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ وَاعْتَدَلَ حَتَّى رَجَعَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ مُعْتَدِلًا ثُمَّ هَوَى سَاجِدًا وَقَالَ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ جَافَى وَفَتَحَ عَضُدَيْهِ عَنْ بَطْنِهِ وَفَتَحَ أَصَابِعَ رِجْلَيْهِ ثُمَّ ثَنَى رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَقَعَدَ عَلَيْهَا وَاعْتَدَلَ حَتَّى رَجَعَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ ثُمَّ هَوَى سَاجِدًا وَقَالَ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ ثَنَى رِجْلَهُ وَقَعَدَ عَلَيْهَا حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ كُلُّ عُضْوٍ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ ثُمَّ نَهَضَ فَصَنَعَ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ السَّجْدَتَيْنِ كَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ كَمَا صَنَعَ حِينَ افْتَتَحَ الصَّلَاةَ ثُمَّ صَنَعَ كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَتِ الرَّكْعَةُ الَّتِي تَنْقَضِي فِيهَا الصَّلَاةُ أَخَّرَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَقَعَدَ عَلَى شِقِّهِ مُتَوَرِّكًا ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ  

[Machine] I heard it from ten of the Prophet's companions, one of them being Abu Qatadah. He said, "I am the most knowledgeable among you about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ." They said, "Were you his closest companion or his most obedient follower?" He replied, "Yes." They said, "Then demonstrate." He said, "When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood for prayer, he faced the Qibla (direction of prayer) and raised his hands until they were level with his shoulders. Then he said, 'Allah is the greatest.' When he bowed, he said 'Allah is the greatest' and raised his hands when bowing. Then he straightened his back, without raising or lowering his head, and raised his head, saying, 'Allah hears those who praise Him.' He raised his hands until they were level with his shoulders. Then he straightened himself and prostrated, placing the edges of his feet towards the Qibla. Then he raised his head, saying, 'Allah is the greatest.' Then, he placed his left foot under him and sat balanced until every bone returned to its place. Then, he said, 'Allah is the greatest.' When he stood up from the two prostrations, he said, 'Allah is the greatest,' and stood until his left foot was sent back and he sat with his left foot sideways and sitting on his buttocks, then he said, 'Allah is the greatest,' and then he performed the Salam (concluding the prayer).  

سَمِعْتُهُ فِي عَشْرَةٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَحَدُهُمْ أَبُو قَتَادَةَ قَالَ أَنَا أَعْلَمُكُمْ بِصَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالُوا مَا كُنْتَ أَقْدَمَنَا لَهُ صُحْبَةً وَلَا أَكْثَرَنَا لَهُ تَبَعَةً! قَالَ بَلَى قَالُوا فَاعْرِضْ قَالَ «كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَإِذَا رَكَعَ كَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حِينَ رَكَعَ ثُمَّ يَعْتَدِلُ فِي صُلْبِهِ وَلَمْ يَنْصِبْ رَأْسَهُ وَلَمْ يُقَنِّعْهُ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ وَقَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ اعْتَدَلَ ثُمَّ سَجَدَ وَاسْتَقْبَلَ بِأَطْرَافِ رِجْلَيْهِ الْقِبْلَةَ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ فَثَنَى رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَقَعَدَ وَاعْتَدَلَ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ مُعْتَدِلًا ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَإِذَا قَامَ مِنَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ كَبَّرَ ثُمَّ قَامَ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَتِ الرَّكْعَةُ الَّتِي تَنْقَضِي فِيهَا أَخَّرَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَقَعَدَ عَلَى رِجْلِهِ مُتَوَرِّكًا ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ»  

‘While he was among ten of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ including Abu Qatadah: “I heard Abu Humaid As-Sa’idi say: ‘I am the most knowledgeable of you concerning the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.’ They said: ‘Why? By Allah, you did not follow him more than we did, and you did not accompany him for longer.’ He said: ‘Yes I am.’ They said: ‘Show us.’ He said: ‘When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood up for prayer, he would say the Takbir, then he would raise his hands parallel to his shoulders, and every part of his body would settle in place. Then he would recite, then he would raise his hands parallel to his shoulders and bow, placing his palms on his knees and supporting his weight on them. He neither lowered his head, nor raised it up, it was evenly balanced (between either extreme). Then he would say: “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him); and he would raise his hands parallel with his shoulders, until every bone returned to its place. Then he would prostrate himself on the ground, keeping his arms away from his sides. Then he would raise his head and tuck his left foot under him and sit on it, and he would spread his toes when he prostrated.* Then he would prostrate, then say the Takbir and sit on his left foot, until every bone returned to its place. Then he would stand up and do the same in the next Rak’ah. Then when he stood up after two Rak’ah, he would raise his hands level with his shoulders as he did at the beginning of the prayer. Then he would offer the rest of his prayer in like manner until, when he did the prostration after which the Taslim comes, he would push one of his feet back and sit with his weight on his left side, Mutawarrikan.’** They said: ‘You have spoken the truth; this is how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform the prayer.’” * Meaning that he would plant them in such a way that they were facing the Qiblah. ** Mutawarrikan: i.e., sitting with the left foot brought forward so that one's buttocks are in direct contact with the ground. (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 1061)  

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا حُمَيْدٍ السَّاعِدِيَّ فِي عَشْرَةٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِيهِمْ أَبُو قَتَادَةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو حُمَيْدٍ أَنَا أَعْلَمُكُمْ بِصَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالُوا لِمَ؟ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا كُنْتَ أَكْثَرَنَا لَهُ تَبَعَةً وَلَا أَقْدَمَنَا لَهُ صُحْبَةً قَالَ بَلَى قَالُوا فَاعْرِضْ قَالَ «كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ كَبَّرَ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ وَيُقِيمُ كُلَّ عَظْمٍ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ ثُمَّ يَقْرَأُ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَرْكَعُ وَيَضَعُ رَاحَتَيْهِ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْهِ مُعْتَدِلًا لَا يُصَوِّبُ رَأْسَهُ وَلَا يَقْنَعْ بِهِ يَقُولُ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ وَيَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ حَتَّى يَقَرَّ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ ثُمَّ يَهْوِي إِلَى الْأَرْضِ وَيُجَافِي يَدَيْهِ عَنْ جَنْبَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ وَيَثْنِي رِجْلَهُ فَيَقْعُدُ عَلَيْهَا وَيَفْتَخُ أَصَابِعَ رِجْلَيْهِ إِذَا سَجَدَ ثُمَّ يَسْجُدُ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ وَيَجْلِسُ عَلَى رِجْلِهِ الْيُسْرَى حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَيَصْنَعُ فِي الْأُخْرَى مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ كَمَا صَنَعَ عِنْدَ افْتِتَاحِ الصَّلَاةِ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي بَقِيَّةَ صَلَاتِهِ هَكَذَا حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ فِي السَّجْدَةِ الَّتِي فِيهَا التَّسْلِيمُ أَخْرَجَ رِجْلَيْهِ وَجَلَسَ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الْأَيْسَرِ مُتَوَرِّكًا» فَقَالُوا صَدَقْتَ هَكَذَا كَانَ يُصَلِّي النَّبِيُّ ﷺ  

he (Muhammad) said: "I heard him saying - while he was among ten of the Companions of the Prophet, one of whom was Abu Qatadah bin Ribi - 'I am the most knowledgeable among you of the Salat of the Messenger of Allah.' They said: 'You did not precede us in his companionship, nor were you in his company more than us.' He said: 'Even still." They said: 'Go ahead.' So he said: 'When Messenger of Allah stood for Salat he would stand with his back straight and raise his hands until they were at the level of his shoulder. Then he would say: (Allahu Akbar) "Allah is Most Great" and bow. Then he would straighten (his back) so that he would not lower his head, nor raise it, and he placed his hands on his knees. Then he said: (Sami Allahu liman hamidah) "Allah listens to those who praise Him." And he raised his hands and stood up straight until all of his bones completely returned to their places. Then he went down to the ground prostrating, then he said: (Allahu Akbar) "Allah is Most Great." Then he held his upper arms away from his midsection, and opened his toes on his feet (facing the Qiblah), then he bend his left foot and sat on it then straightened up until all of his bones completely returned to their placed, then he went down to prostrate. Then he said: (Allahu Akbar) "Allah is Most Great," then he bent his foot and sat and straightened up until all of his bones completely returned to their places. Then he got up. Then in the second Rak'ah he did the same as that, such that when he stood from the two prostrations, he sad the Takbir and raised his hands until they were at the level of his shoulders as he did when he opened the Salat. Then he did like that until it was the Rak'ah in which his Salat was to end, when he moved his left foot over and sat on his side (in the Mutawarrik postion). Then he said the Taslim.'" (Using translation from Tirmidhī 304)   

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا حُمَيْدٍ السَّاعِدِيَّ يَقُولُ «كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ اسْتَقْبَلَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَإِذَا رَكَعَ كَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حِينَ رَكَعَ ثُمَّ عَدَلَ صُلْبَهُ وَلَمْ يُصَوِّبْ رَأْسَهُ وَلَمْ يُقَنِّعْهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ اعْتَدَلَ حَتَّى رَجَعَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ مُعْتَدِلًا ثُمَّ هَوَى إِلَى الْأَرْضِ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَسَجَدَ وَجَافَى عَضُدَيْهِ عَنْ جَنْبَيْهِ وَاسْتَقْبَلَ بِأَطْرَافِ أَصَابِعِ رِجْلَيْهِ الْقِبْلَةَ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ وَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَثَنَى رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَقَعَدَ عَلَيْهَا وَاعْتَدَلَ حَتَّى رَجَعَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ مُعْتَدِلًا ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ عَادَ فَسَجَدَ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ وَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ ثَنَّى رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى ثُمَّ قَعَدَ عَلَيْهَا حَتَّى رَجَعَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَصَنَعَ فِي الْأُخْرَى مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ كَبَّرَ وَصَنَعَ كَمَا صَنَعَ فِي ابْتِدَاءِ الصَّلَاةِ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَتِ السَّجْدَةُ الَّتِي تَكُونُ خَاتِمَةَ الصَّلَاةِ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنْهُمَا وَأَخَّرَ رِجْلَهُ وَقَعَدَ مُتَوَرِّكًا عَلَى رِجْلِهِ ﷺ»  

I am one among you who is more informed of the way the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed. They said: Why, By Allah, you did not follow him more than us, nor did you remain in his company longer than us? He said: Yes. They said: Then describe (how the Prophet prayed). He said: When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood up to pray, he raised his hands so as to bring them opposite his shoulders, and uttered the takbir (Allah is the most great), until every bone rested in its place properly: then re recited (some verses from the Quran); then he uttered the takbir (Allah is most great), 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: “Allah listens to him who praise Him”; then raised his hands so as to bring them exactly opposite to his shoulders; then uttered: “Allah is most great”; then lowered himself to the ground (in prostration), keeping his arms away from his sides; then raised his head, bent his left foot and sat on it, and opened the toes when he prostrated: then he uttered: “Allah is most great”; then raised his head, bent his left foot and sat on it so that every bone returned to its place properly; then he did the same in the second (rak’ah). At the end of the two Rak’ahs he stood up and uttered the takbir (Allah is most great), raising his hands so as to bring them opposite to his shoulders; then he bowed, placing the palms of his hands on his knees and keeping himself straight, neither raising or lowering his head: then raised his head saying: “Allah listens to him who praises Him”; then raised his hands so as to bring them exactly opposite his shoulders; then uttered: “Allah is most great”; then lowered himself to the ground (in prostration), keeping his arms away from his sides; then raised his head, bent his left foot and sat on it, and opened the toes when he prostrated himself; then he prostrated; then uttered: “Allah is most great”; then raised his head, bent his left foot and sat on it so that every bone returned to its place properly; then he did the same in the second (rak’ah). At the end of two rak’ahs he stood up and uttered the takbir (Allah is most great), raising his hands so as to bring them opposite to his shoulders in the way he had uttered the Takbir (Allah is most great) at the beginning of the prayer; then he did that in the remainder of his prayer; and after prostration which if followed by the taslim (salutation) he out his left foot and sat on his left hip. They said: You have spoken the truth. This is how he(peace be upon him) used to pray. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 730)  

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا حُمَيْدٍ السَّاعِدِيَّ فِي عَشْرَةٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَحَدُهُمْ أَبُو قَتَادَةَ قَالَ أَبُو حُمَيْدٍ أَنَا أَعْلَمُكُمْ بِصَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالُوا لَهُ وَلِمَ؟ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا كُنْتَ أَكْثَرَنَا لَهُ تَبَعَةً وَلَا أَقْدَمَنَا لَهُ صُحْبَةً قَالَ بَلَى قَالُوا فَاعْرِضْ قَالَ «كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ كَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ وَيَقِرَّ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ مُعْتَدِلًا ثُمَّ يَقْرَأُ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ وَيَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ وَيَرْكَعُ وَيَضَعُ رَاحَتَيْهِ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَعْتَدِلُ فَلَا يُصَوِّبُ رَأْسَهُ وَلَا يَرْفَعُهُ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ وَيَقُولُ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ وَيَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ مُعْتَدِلًا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ يَهْوِي إِلَى الْأَرْضِ وَيُجَافِي يَدَيْهِ عَنْ جَنْبَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ فَيَثْنِي رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى فَيَقْعُدُ عَلَيْهَا وَيَفْتَحُ أَصَابِعَ رِجْلَيْهِ إِذَا سَجَدَ ثُمَّ يَعُودُ فَيَسْجُدُ وَيَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ وَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَيَثْنِي رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى فَيَقْعُدُ عَلَيْهَا حَتَّى يَعُودَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ مُعْتَدِلًا ثُمَّ يَصْنَعُ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الْأُخْرَى مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ وَإِذَا قَامَ مِنَ الثِّنْتَيْنِ كَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ كَمَا صَنَعَ عِنْدَ افْتِتَاحِ الصَّلَاةِ ثُمَّ صَنَعَ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فِي بَقِيَّةِ صَلَاتِهِ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَتْ قَعْدَةُ السَّجْدَةِ الَّتِي فِيهَا التَّسْلِيمُ أَخَّرَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَقَعَدَ مُتَوَرِّكًا عَلَى شِقِّهِ الْأَيْسَرِ» قَالُوا جَمِيعًا هَكَذَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي  

I am one among you who is more informed of the way the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed. They said: Why, By Allah, you did not follow him more than us, nor did you remain in his company longer than us? He said: Yes. They said: Then describe (how the Prophet prayed). He said: When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood up to pray, he raised his hands so as to bring them opposite his shoulders, and uttered the takbir (Allah is the most great), until every bone rested in its place properly: then re recited (some verses from the Quran); then he uttered the takbir (Allah is most great), 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: “Allah listens to him who praise Him”; then raised his hands so as to bring them exactly opposite to his shoulders; then uttered: “Allah is most great”; then lowered himself to the ground (in prostration), keeping his arms away from his sides; then raised his head, bent his left foot and sat on it, and opened the toes when he prostrated: then he uttered: “Allah is most great”; then raised his head, bent his left foot and sat on it so that every bone returned to its place properly; then he did the same in the second (rak’ah). At the end of the two Rak’ahs he stood up and uttered the takbir (Allah is most great), raising his hands so as to bring them opposite to his shoulders; then he bowed, placing the palms of his hands on his knees and keeping himself straight, neither raising or lowering his head: then raised his head saying: “Allah listens to him who praises Him”; then raised his hands so as to bring them exactly opposite his shoulders; then uttered: “Allah is most great”; then lowered himself to the ground (in prostration), keeping his arms away from his sides; then raised his head, bent his left foot and sat on it, and opened the toes when he prostrated himself; then he prostrated; then uttered: “Allah is most great”; then raised his head, bent his left foot and sat on it so that every bone returned to its place properly; then he did the same in the second (rak’ah). At the end of two rak’ahs he stood up and uttered the takbir (Allah is most great), raising his hands so as to bring them opposite to his shoulders in the way he had uttered the Takbir (Allah is most great) at the beginning of the prayer; then he did that in the remainder of his prayer; and after prostration which if followed by the taslim (salutation) he out his left foot and sat on his left hip. They said: You have spoken the truth. This is how he(peace be upon him) used to pray. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 730)   

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا حُمَيْدٍ السَّاعِدِيَّ فِي عَشَرَةٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِيهِمْ أَبُو قَتَادَةَ الْحَارِثُ بْنُ رِبْعِيٍّ فَقَالَ أَبُو حُمَيْدٍ السَّاعِدِيُّ أَنَا أَعْلَمُكُمْ بِصَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَالُوا لِمَ؟ مَا كُنْتَ أَكْثَرَنَا لَهُ تَبَعًا وَلَا أَقْدَمَنَا لَهُ صُحْبَةً قَالَ بَلَى قَالُوا فَاعْرِضْ عَلَيْنَا قَالَ فَقَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ حَتَّى يَقِرَّ كُلُّ عُضْوٍ مِنْهُ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ مُعْتَدِلًا ثُمَّ يَقْرَأُ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ وَيَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَرْكَعُ وَيَضَعُ رَاحَتَيْهِ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَعْتَدِلُ وَلَا يَنْصُبُ رَأْسَهُ وَلَا يَقْنَعُ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ فَيَقُولُ سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ حَتَّى يَعُودَ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ مِنْهُ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ مُعْتَدِلًا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ يَهْوِي إِلَى الْأَرْضِ فَيُجَافِي يَدَيْهِ عَنْ جَنْبَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ فَيَثْنِي رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى فَيَقْعُدُ عَلَيْهَا وَيَفْتَحُ أَصَابِعَ رِجْلَيْهِ إِذَا سَجَدَ ثُمَّ يَعُودُ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ فَيَقُولُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ يَثْنِي رِجْلَهُ فَيَقْعُدُ عَلَيْهَا مُعْتَدِلًا حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ أَوْ يَقِرَّ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ مَوْضِعَهُ مُعْتَدِلًا ثُمَّ يَصْنَعُ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الْأُخْرَى مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ كَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ كَمَا فَعَلَ أَوْ كَبَّرَ عِنْدَ افْتِتَاحِ الصَّلَاةِ ثُمَّ يَصْنَعُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فِي بَقِيَّةِ صَلَاتِهِ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ فِي السَّجْدَةِ الَّتِي فِيهَا التَّسْلِيمُ أَخَّرَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَقَعَدَ مُتَوَرِّكًا عَلَى شِقِّهِ الْأَيْسَرِ فَقَالُوا جَمِيعًا صَدَقَ هَكَذَا كَانَ يُصَلِّي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَبِمَعْنَاهُ