"The Imam is appointed to be followed. When he bows, then bow, when he stands up, then stand up, when he prostrates, then prostrate, and when he says Sami' Alldhu liman hamidah (Allah hears the one who praises Him), then say, Rabbanri lakal-hamd (Our Lord, to You be the praise)." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 794)  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ سَقَطَ مِنْ فَرَسٍ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الْأَيْمَنِ فَدَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ يَعُودُونَهُ فَحَضَرَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَلَمَّا قَضَى الصَّلَاةَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا الْإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا رَفَعَ فَارْفَعُوا وَإِذَا سَجَدَ فَاسْجُدُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ فَقُولُوا رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ  

[Machine] The Prophet ﷺ saw his companions lagging behind and said, "Move forward and come to me, and let those who come after you also come to me. There will always be people who lag behind until Allah causes them to lag behind." 873 Suwayd ibn Nasr informed us, saying, Abdullah narrated from Al-Jurairi from Abu Nadrah something similar to that.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ رَأَى فِي أَصْحَابِهِ تَأَخُّرًا فَقَالَ «تَقَدَّمُوا فَأْتَمُّوا بِي وَلْيَأْتَمَّ بِكُمْ مَنْ بَعْدَكُمْ وَلَا يَزَالُ قَوْمٌ يَتَأَخَّرُونَ حَتَّى يُؤَخِّرَهُمُ اللهُ» 873 أَخْبَرَنَا سُوَيْدُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللهِ عَنِ الْجُرَيْرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي نَضْرَةَ نَحْوَهُ  

"The Prophet was in front of Abu Bakr and he prayed sitting down, and Abu Bakr was leading the people in prayer, and the people were behind Abu Bakr." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 797)  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ أَمَرَ أَبَا بَكْرٍ أَنْ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ «وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَصَلَّى قَاعِدًا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ وَالنَّاسُ خَلْفَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ»  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ led us in Zuhr prayer and Abu Bakr was behind him. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said the Takbir, Abu Bakr said the Takbir so that the people could hear." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 798)  

«صَلَّى بِنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ الظُّهْرَ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ خَلْفَهُ فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ كَبَّرَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُسْمِعُنَا»  

"We entered upon 'Abdullah at midday and he said: 'There will be rulers who would be distracted from praying on time, so pray on time.' Then he stood up and prayed between him and I, and said: 'This is what I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ do."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 799)  

عَنِ الْأَسْوَدِ وَعَلْقَمَةَ قَالَا دَخَلْنَا عَلَى عَبْدِ اللهِ نِصْفَ النَّهَارِ فَقَالَ «إِنَّهُ سَيَكُونُ أُمَرَاءٌ يُشْغَلُونَ عَنْ وَقْتِ الصَّلَاةِ فَصَلُّوهَا لِوَقْتِهَا ثُمَّ قَامَ فَصَلَّى بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ» وَقَالَ «هَكَذَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فَعَلَ»  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and Abu Bakr passed by me and Abu Bakr said to me: '0 Mas'ud, go to Abu Tamim' - meaning the man from whom he had been freed - 'and tell him to give us a camel so that we could ride, and let him send us some food and a guide to show us the way.' So I went to my former master and told him the same, and he sent with me a camel and vessels of milk, and I brought them via a secret route. Then the time for prayer came and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood up and prayed, and Abu Bakr stood to his right. I had come to know about Islam and I was with them, so I came and stood behind them. So the Messenger of Allah ﷺ pushed Abu Bakr on the chest (to make him move backward) and we stood behind him." Abu 'Abdur-Rahman (An-Nasai)said: (This) Buraidah is not a reliable narrator of Hadith. (Using translation from Nasāʾī 800)  

مَرَّ بِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ لِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَا مَسْعُودُ ائْتِ أَبَا تَمِيمٍ يَعْنِي مَوْلَاهُ فَقُلْ لَهُ يَحْمِلُنَا عَلَى بَعِيرٍ وَيَبْعَثُ إِلَيْنَا بِزَادٍ وَدَلِيلٍ يَدُلُّنَا فَجِئْتُ إِلَى مَوْلَايَ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ فَبَعَثَ مَعِي بِبَعِيرٍ وَوَطْبٍ مِنْ لَبَنٍ فَجَعَلْتُ آخُذُ بِهِمْ فِي أَخْفَى الطَّرِيقِ وَحَضَرَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي وَقَامَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَقَدْ عَرَفْتُ الْإِسْلَامَ وَأَنَا مَعَهُمَا فَجِئْتُ فَقُمْتُ خَلْفَهُمَا فَدَفَعَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فِي صَدْرِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقُمْنَا خَلْفَهُ  

Get up, I shall lead you in prayer. Anas said: I got up and took a mat which had become black on account of long use. I then washed it with water. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood upon it. I and the orphan (Ibn Abi Dumairah, the freed slave of the prophet) stood in a row behind him. The old women stood behind us. He then led us in two raka'at of prayer and left. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 612)  

أَنَّ جَدَّتَهُ مُلَيْكَةَ دَعَتْ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ لِطَعَامٍ صَنَعَتْهُ فَأَكَلَ مِنْهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ «قُومُوا فَلْأُصَلِّي بِكُمْ» قَالَ أَنَسٌ فَقُمْتُ إِلَى حَصِيرٍ لَنَا قَدِ اسْوَدَّ مِنْ طُولِ مَا لُبِسَ فَنَضَحْتُهُ بِمَاءٍ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَصَفَفْتُ أَنَا وَالْيَتِيمُ وَرَاءَهُ وَالْعَجُوزُ مِنْ وَرَائِنَا فَصَلَّى لَنَا رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered upon us and the only people present were myself, my mother, the orphan and Umm Harh, my maternal aunt. He said: 'Stand up and I will lead you in prayer.' It was not the time for a (prescribed) prayer. And he led us in prayer." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 802)  

دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا أَنَا وَأُمِّي وَأَمُّ حَرَامٍ خَالَتِي قَالَ «قُومُوا فَلْأُصَلِّي بِكُمْ» قَالَ فِي غَيْرِ وَقْتِ صَلَاةٍ قَالَ فَصَلَّى بِنَا  

It was narrated from Anas that he and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his mother, and his maternal aunt (were together). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed, and he told Anas to stand on his right and his mother and maternal aunt behind them. (Using translation from Nasāʾī 803)  

أَنَّهُ كَانَ هُوَ وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَأُمُّهُ وَخَالَتُهُ «فَصَلَّى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَجَعَلَ أَنَسًا عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَأُمَّهُ وَخَالَتُهُ خَلْفَهُمَا»  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ led me and a woman from my family in prayer. He made me to stand on his right and the woman to stand behind us." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 805)  

«صَلَّى بِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَبِامْرَأَةٍ مِنْ أَهْلِي فَأَقَامَنِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَالْمَرْأَةُ خَلْفَنَا»  

"I stayed overnight with my maternal aunt Maimunah, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ got up to pray at night. I stood on his left, so he did this to me: He took me by the head and made me stand on his right." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 806)  

«كُنْتُ عِنْدَ خَالَتِي مَيْمُونَةَ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَقُمْتُ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ فَقَالَ بِي هَكَذَا فَأَخَذَ بِرَأْسِي فَأَقَامَنِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ»  

The Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) used to touch our shoulders in prayer and say: Keep straight, don't be irregular, for there would be dissension in your hearts. Let those of you who are sedate and prudent be near me, then those who are next to them, then those who are next to them. Abu Mas'ud said: Now-a-days there is much dissension amongst you. (Using translation from Muslim 432a)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَمْسَحُ مَنَاكِبَنَا فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَيَقُولُ «لَا تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ لِيَلِنِي مِنْكُمْ أُولُو الْأَحْلَامِ وَالنُّهَى ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ» قَالَ أَبُو مَسْعُودٍ فَأَنْتُمُ الْيَوْمَ أَشَدُّ اخْتِلَافًا  

"While I was in the Masjid in the first row, a man pulled me from behind and moved me aside, and took my place. By Allah, I could not focus on my prayer, then when he left I saw that it was Ubayy bin Ka'b. He said: '0 boy, may Allah protect you from harm. This is what the Prophet instructed us to do, to stand directly behind him.' Then he (Ubayy) turned to face the Qiblah and said: 'Doomed are Ah1 Al-'Uqd, by the Lord of the Ka'bah! - three times.'Then he said: 'By Allah, I am not sad for them, but I am sad for the people whom they have misled.' I said: '0 Abu Ya'qub, what do you mean by Ah1 Al-'Uqd?' He said: 'The rulers."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 808)  

يَا فَتَى لَا يَسُوءُكَ اللهُ إِنَّ هَذَا عَهْدٌ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ إِلَيْنَا أَنْ نَلِيَهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ فَقَالَ «هَلَكَ أَهْلُ الْعَقْدِ وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ ثَلَاثًا» ثُمَّ قَالَ «وَاللهِ مَا عَلَيْهِمْ آسَى وَلَكِنْ آسَى عَلَى مَنْ أَضَلُّوا» قُلْتُ يَا أَبَا يَعْقُوبٍ مَا يَعْنِي بِهِ أَهْلَ الْعَقْدِ؟ قَالَ «الْأُمَرَاءُ»  

Iqama was pronounced and we stood up and made rows straight till he (the Holy Prophet) stood at his place of worship (the place ahead of the rows where he stood to lead the prayer) before takbir tahrima. He reminded to (himself something) and went back saying that we should stand at our places and not leave them. We waited, till he came back to us and he had taken a bath and water trickled out of his head and then led us in prayer. (Using translation from Muslim 605a)  

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ يَقُولُ أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَقُمْنَا فَعُدِّلَتِ الصُّفُوفُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَأَتَانَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حَتَّى إِذَا قَامَ فِي مُصَلَّاهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُكَبِّرَ فَانْصَرَفَ فَقَالَ لَنَا «مَكَانَكُمْ» فَلَمْ نَزَلْ قِيَامًا نَنْظُرُهُ حَتَّى خَرَجَ إِلَيْنَا قَدِ اغْتَسَلَ يَنْطِفُ رَأْسَهُ مَاءً فَكَبَّرَ فَصَلَّى  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to straighten the rows like shaft of an arrow is straightened before the head is attached to it. He saw a man whose chest was sticking out from the row. I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: 'Make your rows straight or Allah will cause your faces to be deformed." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 810)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُقَوِّمُ الصُّفُوفَ كَمَا تُقَوَّمُ الْقِدَاحُ فَأَبْصَرَ رَجُلًا خَارِجًا صَدْرُهُ مِنَ الصَّفِّ فَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَقُولُ «لَتُقِيمُنَّ صُفُوفَكُمْ أَوْ لَيُخَالِفَنَّ اللهُ بَيْنَ وُجُوهَكُمْ»  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to go between the rows from one side to another, patting our shoulders and chests and saying: 'Do not make your rows ragged or your hearts will be filled with enmity toward one another.' And he used to say: 'Allah and His angels send Salah upon the front rows."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 811)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَتَخَلَّلُ الصَّفَّ مِنْ نَاحِيَتِهِ إِلَى نَاحِيَتِهِ يَمْسَحُ مَنَاكِبَنَا وَصُدُورَنَا وَيَقُولُ «لَا تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ» وَكَانَ يَقُولُ «إِنَّ اللهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى الصُّفُوفِ الْمُقَدَّمَةِ»  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to gently pat our shoulders (to make sure the row was straight) at the time of prayer, and he would say: 'Keep (the rows) straight; do not differ from one another lest your hearts should suffer from discord. Let those who are mature and wise stand closest to me, then those who are next to them, then those who are next to them."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 812)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَمْسَحُ عَوَاتِقَنَا وَيَقُولُ «اسْتَوُوا وَلَا تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ وَلِيَلِينِي مِنْكُمْ أُولُو الْأَحْلَامِ وَالنُّهَى ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ»  

"Make your rows straight, make your rows straight, make your rows straight. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! I can see you behind me as I can see you in front of me." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 813)  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ يَقُولُ «اسْتَوُوا اسْتَوُوا اسْتَوُوا فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ إِنِّي لَأَرَاكُمْ مِنْ خَلْفِي كَمَا أَرَاكُمْ بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ»  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺturned to face us when he stood up to pray, before he said the Takbir and said: 'Make your rows straight and come close to one another, for I can see you behind my back."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 814)  

أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بِوَجْهِهِ حِينَ قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُكَبِّرَ قَالَ «أَقِيمُوا صُفُوفَكُمْ وَتَرَاصُّوا فَإِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ مِنْ وَرَاءِ ظَهْرِي»  

«رَاصُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ وَحَاذُوا بِالْأَعْنَاقِ»  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came out to us and said:'Will you not form rows as the angels form rows before their Lord? They said: 'How do the angels form rows before their lord? He said: 'They complete the first row and fill the gaps in the rows."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 816)  

خَرَجَ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «أَلَا تَصُفُّونَ كَمَا تَصُفُّ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ؟» قَالُوا وَكَيْفَ تَصُفُّ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ؟ قَالَ «يُتِمُّونَ الصَّفَّ الْأَوَّلَ وَيَتَرَاصُّونَ فِي الصَّفِّ»  

[Machine] On the authority of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ , he used to pray three times on the first row and once on the second row.  

عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ أَنَّهُ كَانَ «يُصَلِّي عَلَى الصَّفِّ الْأَوَّلِ ثَلَاثَةً وَعَلَى الصَّفِّ الثَّانِي وَاحِدَةً»  

"Complete the first row, then the one behind it, and if any row is to be left incomplete let it be the last row." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 818)  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ «أَتِمُّوا الصَّفَّ الْأَوَّلَ ثُمَّ الَّذِي يَلِيهِ فَإِنْ كَانَ نَقْصٌ فَلْيَكُنْ فِي الصَّفِّ الْمُؤَخَّرُ»  

"Whoever completes a row, may Allah be generous to him, and whoever cuts a row, may Allah cut him off." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 819)  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ «مَنْ وَصَلَ صَفًّا وَصَلَهُ اللهُ وَمَنْ قَطَعَ صَفًّا قَطَعَهُ اللهُ»  

the best of the men’s row is the first and the worst of them is the last, but the best of the women’s rows is the last and the worst of them is the first. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 678)  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «خَيْرُ صُفُوفِ الرِّجَالِ أَوَّلُهَا وَشَرُّهَا آخِرُهَا وَخَيْرُ صُفُوفِ النِّسَاءِ آخِرُهَا وَشَرُّهَا أَوَّلُهَا»  

"We were with Anas and we prayed with one of the Amirs. They pushed us until we stood and prayed between two rows, and Anas started moving backward and said: 'We used to avoid this at the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 821)  

كُنَّا مَعَ أَنَسٍ فَصَلَّيْنَا مَعَ أَمِيرٍ مِنَ الْأُمَرَاءِ فَدَفَعُونَا حَتَّى قُمْنَا بَيْنَ السَّارِيَتَيْنِ فَجَعَلَ أَنَسٌ يَتَأَخَّرُ وَقَالَ «قَدْ كُنَّا نَتَّقِي هَذَا عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ»  

"When we prayed behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ I liked to be to his right." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 822)  

«كُنَّا إِذَا صَلَّيْنَا خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ»  

"When any one of you leads the people in prayer, let him make it short, for among them are the sick, the weak and the elderly. And when any one of you prays by himself, let him make it as long as he wishes." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 823)  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ «إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ بِالنَّاسِ فَلْيُخَفِّفْ فَإِنَّ فِيهِمُ السَّقِيمُ وَالضَّعِيفُ وَالْكَبِيرُ وَإِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ لِنَفْسِهِ فَلْيُطَوِّلْ مَا شَاءَ»  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was among those whose prayers was brief and perfect. (Using translation from Muslim 469b)  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ «أَخَفَّ النَّاسِ صَلَاةً فِي تَمَامٍ»  

"I stand in prayer, then I hear a child crying, so I make my prayer brief, because I do not want to cause hardship for his mother." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 825)  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ «إِنِّي لَأَقُومُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَأَسْمَعُ بُكَاءَ الصَّبِيِّ فَأَتَجَوَّزُ فِي صَلَاتِي كَرَاهِيَةَ أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَى أُمِّهِ»  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to enjoin upon us to make the prayer short, but he would lead us in prayer and recite As-Saffat." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 826)  

«كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَأْمُرُ بِالتَّخْفِيفِ وَيَؤُمُّنَا بِالصَّافَّاتِ»  

"I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺleading the people in prayer, carrying Umamah bint Abi Al-As on his shoulder. When he bowed he put her down and when he stood up from prostration he picked her up again." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 827)  

«رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ يَؤُمُّ النَّاسَ وَهُوَ حَامِلٌ أُمَامَةَ بِنْتَ أَبِي الْعَاصِ عَلَى عَاتِقِهِ فَإِذَا رَكَعَ وَضَعَهَا وَإِذَا فَرَغَ مِنْ سُجُودِهِ أَعَادَهَا»  

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Does not the one who raises his head before the Imam fear that Allah may turn his head into the head of a donkey?’” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 961)  

قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ ﷺ «أَلَا يَخْشَى الَّذِي يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ قَبْلَ الْإِمَامِ أَنْ يُحَوِّلَ اللهُ رَأْسَهُ رَأْسَ حِمَارٍ؟»  

"I heard 'Abdullah bin Yazid delivering a Khutbah. He said: 'Al-Bara, who was no liar,told us that when they prayed with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would raise his head from bowing and they would remain standing until they saw him prostrate, then they would prostrate."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 829)  

حَدَّثَنَا الْبَرَاءُ وَكَانَ غَيْرَ كَذُوبٍ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا صَلَّوْا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ «فَرَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الرُّكُوعِ قَامُوا قِيَامًا حَتَّى يَرَوْهُ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ يَسْجُدُونَ»  

"Abu Musa led us in prayer and when he was sitting, a man from among the people entered and said: 'Prayer is based on righteousness and is always mentioned alongside Zakah (in the Qur'an).' When Abu Musa had said the Salam, he turned to the people and said: 'Which of you spoke these words?' The people kept quiet. Then he said: 'O Hittan, perhaps you said it?' He said: 'No, but I was afraid that you would rebuke me for it.' He said: 'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught us our prayer and Sunnah prayers, and he said: The Imam is appointed to be followed, so when he says the Takbir, say the Takbir; when he says "Not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray," say Amin, and Allah will respond to you; when he rises up from bowing and says, 'Sami' Allalhu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him), say 'Rabbana lakal-hamd (Our Lord, to You be praise),' and Allah will hear you; when he prostrates, prostrate, and when he sits up, sit up. The Imam should prostrate before you do and sit up before you do.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'This makes up for that.'" (Using translation from Nasāʾī 830)  

رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ أُقِرَّتِ الصَّلَاةُ بِالْبِرِّ وَالزَّكَاةِ فَلَمَّا سَلَّمَ أَبُو مُوسَى أَقْبَلَ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ فَقَالَ أَيُّكُمُ الْقَائِلُ هَذِهِ الْكَلِمَةَ فَأَرَمَّ الْقَوْمُ؟ قَالَ يَا حِطَّانُ لَعَلَّكَ قُلْتَهَا؟ قَالَ لَا وَقَدْ خَشِيتُ أَنْ تَبْكعَنِي بِهَا فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ كَانَ يُعَلِّمُنَا صَلَاتَنَا وَسُنَّتَنَا فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا الْإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ فَكَبِّرُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ {غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ} [الفاتحة 7] فَقُولُوا آمِينَ يُجِبْكُمُ اللهُ وَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا رَفَعَ فَقَالَ سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ فَقُولُوا رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ يَسْمَعِ اللهُ لَكُمْ فَإِذَا سَجَدَ فَاسْجُدُوا فَإِذَا رَفَعَ فَارْفَعُوا فَإِنَّ الْإِمَامَ يَسْجُدُ قَبْلَكُمْ وَيَرْفَعُ قَبْلَكُمْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «فَتِلْكَ بِتِلْكَ»  

"A man from the Ansar came when the Iqamah for prayer had been said. He entered the Masjid and prayed behind Muadh, and he(Muadh) made the prayer lengthy. The man went away and prayed in a comer of the Masjid, then he left. When Muadh finished praying, it was said to him that so-and-so had done such and such. Muadh said: 'Tomorrow I will mention that to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' So Muadh came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and told him about that. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent for him and asked him: 'What made you do what you did? He said: '0 Messenger of Allah ﷺ, I had been working with my camel to bring water all day, and when I came the Iqamah for prayer had already been said, so I entered the Masjid and joined him in the prayer, then he recited such and such a Surah and made it lengthy, so I went away and prayed in a comer of the Masjid.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Do you want to cause hardship to the people, 0 Muadh do you want to cause hardship to the people, 0 Muadh do you want to cause hardship to the people, 0 Muadh?"' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 831)  

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَقَدْ أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَدَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَصَلَّى خَلْفَ مُعَاذٍ فَطَوَّلَ بِهِمْ فَانْصَرَفَ الرَّجُلُ فَصَلَّى فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ فَلَمَّا قَضَى مُعَاذٌ الصَّلَاةَ قِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّ فُلَانًا فَعَلَ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَقَالَ مُعَاذٌ لَئِنْ أَصْبَحْتُ لَأَذْكُرَنَّ ذَلِكَ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَأَرْسَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «مَا حَمَلَكَ عَلَى الَّذِي صَنَعْتَ» قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ عَمِلْتُ عَلَى نَاضِحٍ النَّهَارَ فَجِئْتُ وَقَدْ أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَدَخَلْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَدَخَلْتُ مَعَهُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَقَرَأَ بِسُورَةِ كَذَا كَذَا وَطُوَّلَ فَانْصَرَفْتُ فَصَلَّيْتُ فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «أَفَتَّانًا يَا مُعَاذُ أَفَتَّانًا يَا مُعَاذُ»  

the Imam is appointed only to be followed ; so when he prays standing, pray standing, and when he bows, bow; when he raises himself, raise yourselves; when he says “Allah listen to him who praises Him”, “Our Lord ! to Thee be the praise”: and when he prays sitting all of you pray sitting. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 601)  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ رَكَبَ فَرَسًا فَصُرِعَ عَنْهُ فَجُحِشَ شِقُّهُ الْأَيْمَنُ فَصَلَّى صَلَاةً مِنَ الصَّلَوَاتِ وَهُوَ قَاعِدٌ وَصَلَّيْنَا وَرَاءَهُ قُعُودًا فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الْإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا صَلَّى قَائِمًا فَصَلَّوْا قِيَامًا وَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ فَقُولُوا رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَإِذَا صَلَّى جَالِسًا فَصَلَّوْا جُلُوسًا أَجْمَعُونَ  

"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ became seriously ill, Bilal came to tell him it was time to pray and he said: 'Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer."' She said: "I said: '0 Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Abu Bakr is a tender-hearted man, and when he stands in your place he will not be able to make the people hear his voice; why don't you tell 'Umar (to do it)?' He said: 'Tell a Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer.' I said to Hafsah: 'Tell him.' So she told him. He said: 'You are (like) the female companions of Yosuf. Tell Abu Bakr lead the people in prayer."' She said: "So they told Abu Bakr. When he started to pray, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ began to feel better, so he got up and came with the help of two men, with his feet dragging along the ground. (When) he entered the Masjid, Abu Bakr heard him coming and he wanted to step back, but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gestured to him: 'Stay where you are.' Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and sat on Abu Bakr's left, so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was leading the people in prayer sitting, and Abu Bakr was standing and following the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the people were following the prayer of Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 833)  

لَمَّا ثَقُلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ جَاءَ بِلَالٌ يُؤْذِنُهُ بِالصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ «مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ» قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ وَإِنَّهُ مَتَى يَقُمْ مَقَامَكَ لَا يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ قَالَ «مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ» فَقُلْتُ لِحَفْصَةَ قَوْلِي لَهُ فَقَالَتْ لَهُ فَقَالَ «إِنَّكُنَّ لَأَنْتُنَّ صَوَاحِبَاتُ يُوسُفَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ» قَالَتْ فَأَمَرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً قَالَتْ فَقَامَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ وَرِجْلَاهُ تَخُطَّانِ فِي الْأَرْضِ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ سَمِعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حِسَّهُ فَذَهَبَ لِيَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَنْ قُمْ كَمَا أَنْتَ قَالَتْ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حَتَّى قَامَ عَنْ يَسَارِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ جَالِسًا فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ جَالِسًا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ قَائِمًا يَقْتَدِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ يَقْتَدُونَ بِأَبِي بَكْرٍ  

"I entered upon Aisha and said: 'Will you not tell me about the sickness of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?' She said: 'When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, became seriously ill, he said: "Have the people prayed?" We said: "No, they are waiting for you, 0 Messenger of Allah ﷺ" He said: "Put some water in a tub for me." We did that and he performed Ghusl, then he tried to get up but he fainted. Then he came to us and said: "Have the people prayed?" We said: "No, they are waiting for you, 0 Messenger of Allah ﷺ." He said: "Put some water in a tub for me." We did that and he performed Ghusl, then he tried to get up but he fainted. Then for the third time he said the same thing. She said: The people were in the Masjid, waiting for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to lead the prayer. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent word to Abu Bakr, telling him to lead the people in prayer, so the messenger came to him and said: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ is telling you to lead the people in prayer." Abu Bakr was a tenderhearted man, he said: "0 'Umar. lead the in prayer." But ('Umar) said: "You have more right to that." So Abu Bakr led them in prayer during those days. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ felt a little better, he came with the help of two men, one of whom was Al-'Abbas, to pray Zuhr. When Abu Bakr saw him, he wanted to step back, but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gestured to him not to step back. He told them (the two men) to seat him beside Abu Bakr, and Abu Bakr started to pray standing. The people were following the prayer of Abu Bakr and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was praying sitting."' "I ('Ubaidullah) entered upon Ibn Abbas and said 'Shall I not tell you what Aisha narrated to me about the sickness of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?' He said: 'Yes.' So I told him and he did not deny any of it, but he said: 'Did she tell you the name of the man who was with Al-'Abbas?' I said: 'No.' He said: 'That was Ali, may Allah honor his face."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 834)  

عَنْ مَرِضِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ؟ فَقَالَتْ بَلَى ثَقُلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «أَصَلَّى النَّاسُ؟» فَقُلْنَا لَا هُمْ يَنْتَظِرُونَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ «ضَعُوا لِي مَاءً فِي الْمِخْضَبِ» فَفَعَلْنَا فَاغْتَسَلَ ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ لِيَنُوءَ فَأُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ أَفَاقَ فَقَالَ «أَصَلَّى النَّاسُ؟» قُلْنَا لَا هُمْ يَنْتَظِرُونَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قال «ضَعُوا لِي مَاءً فِي الْمِخْضَبِ» فَفَعَلْنَا فَاغْتَسَلَ ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ لِيَنُوءَ فَأُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ أَفَاقَ فَقَالَ «أَصَلَّى النَّاسُ؟» قُلْنَا لَا هُمْ يَنْتَظِرُونَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ الثَّالِثَةَ مِثْلَ قَوْلِهِ قَالَتْ وَالنَّاسُ عُكُوفٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ يَنْتَظِرُونَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ لِصَلَاةِ الْعِشَاءِ فَأَرْسَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ فَجَاءَهُ الرَّسُولُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ يَأْمُرُكَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ وَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ رَجُلًا رَقِيقًا فَقَالَ يَا عُمَرُ صَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَقَالَ أَنْتَ أَحَقُّ بِذَلِكَ فَصَلَّى بِهِمْ أَبُو بَكْرٍ تِلْكَ الْأَيَّامَ ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ وَجَدَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَجَاءَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَا الْعَبَّاسُ لِصَلَاةِ الظُّهْرِ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ذَهَبَ لِيَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَنْ لَا يَتَأَخَّرَ وَأَمَرَهُمَا فَأَجْلَسَاهُ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ فَجَعَلَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي قَائِمًا وَالنَّاسُ يُصَلُّونَ بِصَلَاةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي قَاعِدًا فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ فَقُلْتُ أَلَا أَعْرِضُ عَلَيْكَ مَا حَدَّثَتْنِي عَائِشَةُ عَنْ مَرِضِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ؟ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَحَدَّثْتُهُ فَمَا أَنْكَرَ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ سَمَّتْ لَكَ الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي كَانَ مَعَ الْعَبَّاسِ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ هُوَ عَلِيٌّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ مُوسَى بْنُ أَبِي عَائِشَةَ ثِقَةٌ كَانَ سُفْيَانُ الثَّوْرِيُّ يُحْسِنُ الثَّنَاءَ عَلَى مُوسَى بْنِ أَبِي عَائِشَةَ وَهُوَ كُوفِيٌّ  

"I heard Jabir bin 'Abdullah say: 'Mu'adh used to pray with the Prophet ﷺ then he would go back to his people to lead them in a prayer. He stayed late one night and prayed with the Prophet ﷺ then he went back to his people to lead them in prayer, and he recited Surat Al-Baqarah. When a man from his people heard that, he stepped aside and prayed (on his own), then he left. They said: 'You have become a hypocrite, 0 so and-so!' He said: 'By Allah, I have not become a hypocrite, and I will go to the Prophet ﷺ and tell him (about that),' So he went to the Prophet and said: '0 Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Muadh prays with you, then he comes to lead us in prayer. You delayed the prayer, and he prayed with you then he came back to lead us in prayer, and he started to recite Shut Al-Baqarah. When I heard that, I stepped aside and prayed by myself, because we are people who bring water with the camels and we work hard.' The Prophet ﷺ said to him: '0 Muadh, do you want to cause hardship to the people? Recite such and such a Surah, and such and such a Surah."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 835)  

سَمِعْتُ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللهِ يَقُولُ كَانَ مُعَاذٌ يُصَلِّي مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى قَوْمِهِ يَؤُمُّهُمْ فَأَخَّرَ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ الصَّلَاةَ فَصَلَّى مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَى قَوْمِهِ يَؤُمُّهُمْ فَقَرَأَ بِسُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ تَأَخَّرَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَقَالُوا نَافَقْتَ يَا فُلَانُ فَقَالَ وَاللهِ مَا نَافَقْتُ وَلَآتِيَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَأُخْبِرَهُ فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ مُعَاذًا يُصَلِّي مَعَكَ ثُمَّ يَأْتِينَا فَيَؤُمُّنَا وَإِنَّكَ أَخَّرْتَ الصَّلَاةَ الْبَارِحَةَ فَصَلَّى مَعَكَ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ فَأَمَّنَا فَاسْتَفْتَحَ سُورَةَ الْبَقَرَةِ فَلَمَّا سَمِعْتُ ذَلِكَ تَأَخَّرْتُ فَصَلَّيْتُ وَإِنَّمَا نَحْنُ أَصْحَابُ نَوَاضِحَ نَعْمَلُ بِأَيْدِينَا فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ «يَا مُعَاذُ أَفَتَّانٌ أَنْتَ اقْرَأْ بِسُورَةِ كَذَا وَسُورَةِ كَذَا»  

837. It was narrated from Abu Bakr that the Prophet ﷺ offered the fear prayer (Salat Al-Khauf). He led those who were behind him in two Rak'ah and those who came (after them) in two Rak'ah, so the Prophet ﷺ prayed four Rak'ahs and each group prayed two. (Using translation from Nasāʾī 836)  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّهُ صَلَّى صَلَاةَ الْخَوْفِ فَصَلَّى بِالَّذِينَ خَلْفَهُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَبِالَّذِينَ جَاءُوا رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَكَانَتْ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَرْبَعًا وَلَهُمْ وَلِهَؤُلَاءِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "The prayer in congregation is twenty seven times superior to the prayer offered by person alone." (Using translation from Bukhārī 645)  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ «صَلَاةُ الْجَمَاعَةِ تَفْضُلُ عَلَى صَلَاةِ الْفَذِّ بِسَبْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ دَرَجَةً»  

Prayer said in a congregation is twenty-five degrees more excellent than prayer said by a single person. (Using translation from Muslim 649a)  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ «صَلَاةُ الْجَمَاعَةِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صَلَاةِ أَحَدِكُمْ وَحْدَهُ خَمْسَةً وَعِشْرِينَ جُزْءًا»  

"Prayer in congregation is twenty-five levels better than a prayer offered on one's own." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 839)  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ «صَلَاةُ الْجَمَاعَةِ تَزِيدُ عَلَى صَلَاةِ الْفَذِّ خَمْسًا وَعِشْرِينَ جُزْءًا»  

When there are three persons, one of them should lead them. The one among them most worthy to act as Imam is one who is best versed in the Qur'an. (Using translation from Muslim 672a)  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «إِذَا كَانُوا ثَلَاثَةً فَلْيَؤُمَّهُمْ أَحَدُهُمْ وَأَحَقُّهُمْ بِالْإِمَامَةِ أَقْرَؤُهُمْ»  

"I prayed beside the Prophet ﷺ and Ayesha was behind us praying with us, and I was beside the Prophet ﷺ praying with him." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 804)  

قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ «صَلَّيْتُ إِلَى جَنْبِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَعَائِشَةُ خَلْفَنَا تُصَلِّي مَعَنَا وَأَنَا إِلَى جَنْبِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أُصَلِّي مَعَهُ»  

"I prayed with the Messenger of Allah ﷺand I stood on his left. He took hold of me with his left hand and made me stand on his right." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 842)   

«صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ لَيْلَةً فَقُمْتُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ فَأَخَذَنِي بِيَدِهِ الْيُسْرَى حَتَّى أَقَامَنِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ»  

"One day the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed Fajr, then he said: 'Did so-and-so attend the prayer? They said: 'No.' He said: '(What about) so-and-so? They said:'No' He said: 'These two prayers. are the most burdensome for the hypocrites. If they knew what (virtue) there is in them, they would come, even if they had to crawl. And the virtue of the first row is like that of the row of the angels. If you knew its virtue, you would compete for it. A man's prayer with another man is greater in reward than his prayer alone. And a man's prayer with two other men is greater in reward than his prayer with one other man; the more people there are, the more beloved that is to Allah, the Mighty and Sublime."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 843)  

سَمِعْتُ أُبَيَّ بْنَ كَعْبٍ يَقُولُ صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَوْمًا صَلَاةَ الصُّبْحَ فَقَالَ «أَشَهِدَ فُلَانٌ الصَّلَاةَ؟» قَالُوا لَا قَالَ «فَفُلَانٌ؟» قَالُوا لَا قَالَ «إِنَّ هَاتَيْنِ الصَّلَاتَيْنِ مِنْ أَثْقَلِ الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِيهِمَا لَأَتَوْهُمَا وَلَوْ حَبْوًا وَالصَّفُّ الْأَوَّلُ عَلَى مِثْلِ صَفِّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَلَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ فَضِيلَتَهُ ابْتَدَرْتُمُوهُ وَصَلَاةُ الرَّجُلِ مَعَ الرَّجُلِ أَزْكَى مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ وَحْدَهُ وَصَلَاةُ الرَّجُلِ مَعَ الرِّجْلَيْنِ أَزْكَى مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ مَعَ الرَّجُلِ وَمَا كَانُوا أَكْثَرَ فَهُوَ أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللهِ»  

"0 Messenger of Allah ﷺ the floods keep me from coming to the Masjid of my people. I would like you to come and pray in a place in my house so that I can take it as a Masjid." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "We shall do that." "When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered he said: 'Where do you want (me to pray).' I showed him a comer of the house, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood there, and we formed rows behind him, and he led us in praying two Rak'ahs." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 844)  

أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ السُّيُولَ تَحُولُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ مَسْجِدِ قَوْمِي فَأُحِبُّ أَنْ تَأْتِيَنِي فَتُصَلِّي فِي مَكَانٍ مِنْ بَيْتِي أَتَّخِذُهُ مَسْجِدًا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «سَنَفْعَلُ» فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ «أَيْنَ تُرِيدُ» فَأَشَرْتُ لَهُ إِلَى نَاحِيَةٍ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَصَفَّنَا خَلْفَهُ فَصَلَّى بِنَا رَكْعَتَيْنِ  

"We were with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when some of the people said: 'Why do you not stop with us to rest awhile, 0 Messenger of Allah ﷺ?' He said: 'I am afraid that you will sleep and miss the prayer.' Bilal said:'I will wake you up.' So they lay down and slept, and Bilal leaned back on his mount. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ woke up when the sun had already started to rise, and he said: '0 Bilal, what about what you told us?' He said: 'I have never slept like that before.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, takes your souls when He wills and sends them back when He wills.' Stand up 0 Bilal and call the people to prayer.' Then Bilal stood up and & called the Adhan, and they performed Wudu' - that is, when the sun had risen (fully) - "then he stood and lead them in prayer." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 846)  

كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ إِذْ قَالَ بَعْضُ الْقَوْمِ لَوْ عَرَّسْتَ بِنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ فَقَالَ «إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ تَنَامُوا عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ» فَقَالَ بِلَالٌ أَنَا أَحْفَظُكُمْ فَاضْطَجَعُوا فَنَامُوا وَأَسْنَدَ بِلَالٌ ظَهْرَهُ إِلَى رَاحِلَتِهِ فَاسْتَيْقَظَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَقَدْ يَعْنِي طَلَعَ حَاجِبُ الشَّمْسِ فَقَالَ «يَا بِلَالُ أَيْنَ مَا قُلْتَ؟» قَالَ مَا أُلْقِيَتْ عَلَيَّ نَوْمَةٌ مِثْلُهَا قَطُّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «إِنَّ اللهَ قَبَضَ أَرْوَاحَكُمْ حِينَ شَاءَ فَرَدَّهَا حِينَ شَاءَ قُمْ يَا بِلَالُ فَآذِنِ النَّاسَ بِالصَّلَاةِ» فَقَامَ بِلَالٌ فَأَذَّنَ فَتَوَضَّأَ يَعْنِي حِينَ ارْتَفَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَصَلَّى بِهِمْ