Once the Prophet ﷺ entered the mosque, a man came in, offered the prayer and greeted the Prophet. The Prophet returned his greeting and said to him, "Go back and pray again for you have not prayed." The man offered the prayer again, came back and greeted the Prophet. He said to him thrice, "Go back and pray again for you have not prayed." The man said, "By Him Who has sent you with the truth! I do not know a better way of praying. Kindly teach Me how to pray." He said, "When you stand for the prayer, say Takbir and then recite from the Qur'an what you know and then bow with calmness till you feel at ease, then rise from bowing till you stand straight. Afterwards prostrate calmly till you feel at ease and then raise (your head) and sit with Calmness till you feel at ease and then prostrate with calmness till you feel at ease in prostration and do the same in the whole of your prayer."  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَرَدَّ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمَ فَقَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ ثَلاَثًا فَقَالَ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ فَمَا أُحْسِنُ غَيْرَهُ فَعَلِّمْنِي قَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلاَتِكَ كُلِّهَا  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the mosque and a person followed him. The man prayed and went to the Prophet and greeted him. The Prophet ﷺ returned the greeting and said to him, "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." The man went back prayed in the same way as before, returned and greeted the Prophet who said, "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." This happened thrice. The man said, "By Him Who sent you with the Truth, I cannot offer the prayer in a better way than this. Please, teach me how to pray." The Prophet ﷺ said, "When you stand for Prayer say Takbir and then recite from the Holy Qur'an (of what you know by heart) and then bow till you feel at ease. Then raise your head and stand up straight, then prostrate till you feel at ease during your prostration, then sit with calmness till you feel at ease (do not hurry) and do the same in all your prayers.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَرَدَّ وَقَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَرَجَعَ يُصَلِّي كَمَا صَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ ثَلاَثًا فَقَالَ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا أُحْسِنُ غَيْرَهُ فَعَلِّمْنِي فَقَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا وَافْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلاَتِكَ كُلِّهَا  

A man entered the mosque while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sitting in one side of the mosque. The man prayed, came, and greeted the Prophet. Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him, "Wa 'Alaikas Salam (returned his greeting). Go back and pray as you have not prayed (properly)." The man returned, repeated his prayer, came back and greeted the Prophet. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Wa alaika-s-Salam (returned his greeting). Go back and pray again as you have not prayed (properly)." The man said at the second or third time, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Kindly teach me how to pray". The Prophet ﷺ said, "When you stand for prayer, perform ablution properly and then face the Qibla and say Takbir (Allahu-Akbar), and then recite what you know from the Qur'an, and then bow with calmness till you feel at ease then rise from bowing, till you stand straight, and then prostrate calmly (and remain in prostration) till you feel at ease, and then raise (your head) and sit with calmness till you feel at ease and then prostrate with calmness (and remain in prostration) till you feel at ease, and then raise (your head) and sit with calmness till you feel at ease in the sitting position, and do likewise in whole of your prayer." And Abu Usama added, "Till you stand straight." (See Hadith No. 759, Vol.1)  

أَنَّ رَجُلاً دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ جَالِسٌ فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَعَلَيْكَ السَّلاَمُ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَرَجَعَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ وَعَلَيْكَ السَّلاَمُ فَارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَقَالَ فِي الثَّانِيَةِ أَوْ فِي الَّتِي بَعْدَهَا عَلِّمْنِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَأَسْبِغِ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ بِمَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَسْتَوِيَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلاَتِكَ كُلِّهَا وَقَالَ أَبُو أُسَامَةَ فِي الأَخِيرِ حَتَّى تَسْتَوِيَ قَائِمًا  

A man entered the mosque and started praying while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sitting somewhere in the mosque. Then (after finishing the prayer) the man came to the Prophet ﷺ and greeted him. The Prophet ﷺ said to him, "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed. The man went back, and having prayed, he came and greeted the Prophet. The Prophet ﷺ after returning his greetings said, "Go back and pray, for you did not pray." On the third time the man said, "(O Messenger of Allah ﷺ!) teach me (how to pray)." The Prophet said, "When you get up for the prayer, perform the ablution properly and then face the Qibla and say Takbir (Allahu Akbar), and then recite of what you know of the Qur'an, and then bow, and remain in this state till you feel at rest in bowing, and then raise your head and stand straight; and then prostrate till you feel at rest in prostration, and then sit up till you feel at rest while sitting; and then prostrate again till you feel at rest in prostration; and then get up and stand straight, and do all this in all your prayers."  

أَنَّ رَجُلاً دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ يُصَلِّي وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَجَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَرَجَعَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ فَقَالَ وَعَلَيْكَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ قَالَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ فَأَعْلِمْنِي قَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَأَسْبِغِ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ فَكَبِّرْ وَاقْرَأْ بِمَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَسْتَوِيَ وَتَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَسْتَوِيَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلاَتِكَ كُلِّهَا  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the mosque and a person also entered therein and offered prayer, and then came and paid salutation to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. The Mes- senger of Allah ﷺ returned his salutation and said: Go back and pray, for you have not offered the prayer. He again prayed as he had prayed before, and came to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon. him) and saluted him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ returned the salutation and said: Go back and say prayer, for you have not offered the prayer. This (act of repeating the prayer) was done three times. Upon this the person said: By Him Who hast sent you with Truth, whatever better I can do than this, please teach me. He (the Holy Prophet) said: When you get up to pray, recite takbir, and then recite whatever you conveniently can from the Qur'an, then bow down and remain quietly in that position, then raise your- self and stand erect; then prostrate yourself and remain quietly in that attitude; then raise yourself and sit quietly; and do that throughout all your prayers.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَرَدَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ السَّلاَمَ قَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَرَجَعَ الرَّجُلُ فَصَلَّى كَمَا كَانَ صَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَعَلَيْكَ السَّلاَمُ ثُمَّ قَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ حَتَّى فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا أُحْسِنُ غَيْرَ هَذَا عَلِّمْنِي قَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلاَتِكَ كُلِّهَا  

A paternal uncle of his who was present at Badr told him, that a man entered the masjid and prayed, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was watching, but we did not realize. When he had finished, he came and greeted the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with salam. He said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." So he went back and prayed, then he came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and he said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." (This happened) two or three times. Then the man said to him: "By the One who has honored you , O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, I have tried my best; teach me." He said: "When you get up to pray, perform wudu and do it well, then turn to face the Qiblah and say the takbir. Then recite the Quran, then bow until you are at ease in bowing. Then stand up until you are standing straight, then prostrate until you are at ease prostrating, then sit up until you are at ease sitting, then prostrate until you are at ease prostrating, then get up, and continue doing that until you have finished your prayer."  

أَنَّهُ حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ رَجُلاً دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَصَلَّى وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَرْمُقُهُ وَنَحْنُ لاَ نَشْعُرُ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ أَقْبَلَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَرَجَعَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ مَرَّتَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلاَثًا فَقَالَ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ وَالَّذِي أَكْرَمَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ جَهِدْتُ فَعَلِّمْنِي فَقَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ تُرِيدُ الصَّلاَةَ فَتَوَضَّأْ فَأَحْسِنْ وُضُوءَكَ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ فَاطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ قَاعِدًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ ثُمَّ افْعَلْ كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى تَفْرُغَ مِنْ صَلاَتِكَ  

"My father narrated to me that a paternal uncle of his, who had been at Badr, said: 'I was sitting with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the masjid when a man came in and prayed two rak'ahs, then he came and greeted the Prophet ﷺ with salam. The Prophet ﷺ had been watching him as he prayed, so he returned his salam, then he said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." So he went back and prayed, then he came back and greeted the Prophet ﷺ with salam. He returned the salam, then he said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." The third or fourth time this happened, then the man said: "By the One Who revealed the Book to you, I have done my best and have tried hard; show me and teach me." He said: 'When you want to pray, perform wudu and do it well, then turn to face the Qiblah and say the takbir. Then recite the Quran, then bow until you are at ease in bowing. Then stand up until you are standing straight, then prostrate until you are at ease prostrating, then sit up until you are at ease sitting, then prostrate until you are at ease prostrating, then get up. If you complete the prayer in this manner you wil hve done it properly, and whatever you do less than this is lacking from you prayer.'"  

كُنْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ جَالِسًا فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَقَدْ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يَرْمُقُهُ فِي صَلاَتِهِ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَرَجَعَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ حَتَّى كَانَ عِنْدَ الثَّالِثَةِ أَوِ الرَّابِعَةِ فَقَالَ وَالَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ لَقَدْ جَهِدْتُ وَحَرَصْتُ فَأَرِنِي وَعَلِّمْنِي قَالَ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ فَتَوَضَّأْ فَأَحْسِنْ وُضُوءَكَ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ قَاعِدًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ فَإِذَا أَتْمَمْتَ صَلاَتَكَ عَلَى هَذَا فَقَدْ تَمَّتْ وَمَا انْتَقَصْتَ مِنْ هَذَا فَإِنَّمَا تَنْتَقِصُهُ مِنْ صَلاَتِكَ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the Masjid, then a man entered and prayed, then he came and greeted the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with Salam. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ returned his greeting and said: Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." So he went back and prayed as he has prayed before, then he came to the Prophet ﷺ and greeted him with Salam, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him: "Wa alaika as-salam (and upon you be peace). Go back and pray for you have not prayed." He did that three times, then the man said: "By the One Who sent you with the truth, I cannot do any better than that; teach me." He said: "When you stand to pray, say the Takbir, then recite whatever is easy for you of Quran. Then bow until you have tranquility in your bowing, then stand up until you are standing straight. Then prostrate until you have tranquility in your prostration, then sit up until you have tranquility in your sitting. Then do that throughout your entire prayer."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَقَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَرَجَعَ فَصَلَّى كَمَا صَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَعَلَيْكَ السَّلاَمُ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا أُحْسِنُ غَيْرَ هَذَا فَعَلِّمْنِي قَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلاَتِكَ كُلِّهَا  

"We were with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when a man entered the Masjid and prayed. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ watched him without him realizing, then he finished, came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and greeted him with salam. He returned the salam and said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.'" He (the narrator) said: "I do not know if it was the second or third time,- "(the man) said: 'By the One Who revealed the Book to you, I have tried my best. Teach me and show me.' He said: 'When you want to pray, perform wudu' and do it well, then stand up and face the qiblah. Then say the takbir, then recite, then bow until you are at ease in bowing. Then stand up until you are standing up straight. Then prostrate until you are at ease in prostration, then raise your head until you are at ease in sitting, then prostrate until you are at ease in prostration. If you do that then you will have done your prayer properly, and whatever you failed to do properly is going to detract from your prayer."  

كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذْ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ الْمَسْجِدَ فَصَلَّى وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَرْمُقُهُ وَلاَ يَشْعُرُ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ فَأَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ قَالَ لاَ أَدْرِي فِي الثَّانِيَةِ أَوْ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ قَالَ وَالَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ لَقَدْ جَهِدْتُ فَعَلِّمْنِي وَأَرِنِي قَالَ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ الصَّلاَةَ فَتَوَضَّأْ فَأَحْسِنِ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ قُمْ فَاسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ ثُمَّ كَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ قَاعِدًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا فَإِذَا صَنَعْتَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ قَضَيْتَ صَلاَتَكَ وَمَا انْتَقَصْتَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَإِنَّمَا تَنْقُصُهُ مِنْ صَلاَتِكَ  

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the mosque, a man also entered it and prayed. He then came and saluted the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ returned the salutation and said to him: Go back and pray, for you have not prayed. The man returned and prayed as he prayed before. He then came to prophet ﷺ and saluted him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him: “ And upon you be peace. “ Go back and pray, for you have not prayed. He did so three times. Then the man said: By Him who has sent you(as a Prophet) with truth; I cannot do better than this; so teach me. He said: When you get up to pray, utter the takbir(Allah is most great); then recite a convenient portion of the Qur’an; then bow and remain quietly in that position; then sit and remain quietly in that position; then raise yourself and stand erect: then prostrate yourself and remain quietly in that position; then sit and remain quietly in that position; then do that throughout all your prayer. Abu Dawud said: Al-Qa’nabi reported this tradition from Sa’id b. Abi Sa’Id on the authority of Abu Hurairah. This version has the wording in the last: When you do this, then your prayer is completed. If you omit anything form this, you omit that much from your prayer. This version also has the wording: when you get up for praying, perform the abulation perfectly.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَرَدَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمَ وَقَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَرَجَعَ الرَّجُلُ فَصَلَّى كَمَا كَانَ صَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَعَلَيْكَ السَّلاَمُ ثُمَّ قَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ حَتَّى فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا أُحْسِنُ غَيْرَ هَذَا فَعَلِّمْنِي قَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ اجْلِسْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلاَتِكَ كُلِّهَا  

"Messenger of Allah entered the Masjid, and a man entered and offered Salat. Then he came to give Salam to the Propet. He returned the Salam to him and said: 'Go back and perform Salat, for indeed you have not prayed.' So the man returned to pray as he had prayed. Then he came to give Salam to the Prophet. He returned Salam to him, then [Messenger of Allah] said: 'Go back and perform Salat, for indeed you have not prayed' until he had done that three times. So the man said to him: 'By the One who sent you with the Truth, I do not know any better than this, so teach me.' So he said [to him]: 'When you stand for Salat then say the Takbir, then recite what is easy for you of the Quran. Then bow until you are at rest while bowing, then rise up until you are at rest sitting. Do that in all of your Salat.'"  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمَ فَقَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَرَجَعَ الرَّجُلُ فَصَلَّى كَمَا كَانَ صَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمَ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ حَتَّى فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا أُحْسِنُ غَيْرَ هَذَا فَعَلِّمْنِي فَقَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ بِمَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا وَافْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلاَتِكَ كُلِّهَا  

“And also upon you. Go back and repeat your prayer, for you have not prayed.” So he went back and repeated his prayer, then he came and greeted the Prophet ﷺ. He said: “And also upon you. Go back and repeat your prayer, for you have not prayed.” On the third occasion, the man said: “Teach me, O Messenger of Allah!” He said: “When you stand up to offer the prayer, perform ablution properly, then stand to face the prayer direction and say Allahu Akbar. Then recite whatever you can of Qur’an, and then bow until you can feel at ease bowing. Then stand up until you feel at ease standing, then prostrate until you feel at ease prostrating. Then raise your head until you are sitting up straight. Do that throughout your prayer.”  

أَنَّ رَجُلاً دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَصَلَّى وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي نَاحِيَةٍ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ فَجَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ وَعَلَيْكَ فَارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَرَجَعَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ وَعَلَيْكَ فَارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ بَعْدُ قَالَ فِي الثَّالِثَةَ فَعَلِّمْنِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَأَسْبِغِ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ وَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ حَتَّى تَسْتَوِيَ قَاعِدًا ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلاَتِكَ كُلِّهَا  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the Masjid, then a man entered and prayed, then he came and greeted the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with Salam. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ returned his greeting and said: Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." So he went back and prayed as he has prayed before, then he came to the Prophet ﷺ and greeted him with Salam, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him: "Wa alaika as-salam (and upon you be peace). Go back and pray for you have not prayed." He did that three times, then the man said: "By the One Who sent you with the truth, I cannot do any better than that; teach me." He said: "When you stand to pray, say the Takbir, then recite whatever is easy for you of Quran. Then bow until you have tranquility in your bowing, then stand up until you are standing straight. Then prostrate until you have tranquility in your prostration, then sit up until you have tranquility in your sitting. Then do that throughout your entire prayer." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 884)   

دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ الْمَسْجِدَ فَصَلَّى وَالنَّبِيُّ ﷺ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ ثُمَّ جَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامَ وَقَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَرَجَعَ فَفَعَلَ ذَلِكَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا أُحْسِنُ غَيْرَ هَذَا فَعَلِّمْنِي قَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلَاتِكَ كُلِّهَا  

"My father narrated to me that a paternal uncle of his, who had been at Badr, said: 'I was sitting with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the masjid when a man came in and prayed two rak'ahs, then he came and greeted the Prophet ﷺ with salam. The Prophet ﷺ had been watching him as he prayed, so he returned his salam, then he said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." So he went back and prayed, then he came back and greeted the Prophet ﷺ with salam. He returned the salam, then he said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." The third or fourth time this happened, then the man said: "By the One Who revealed the Book to you, I have done my best and have tried hard; show me and teach me." He said: 'When you want to pray, perform wudu and do it well, then turn to face the Qiblah and say the takbir. Then recite the Quran, then bow until you are at ease in bowing. Then stand up until you are standing straight, then prostrate until you are at ease prostrating, then sit up until you are at ease sitting, then prostrate until you are at ease prostrating, then get up. If you complete the prayer in this manner you wil hve done it properly, and whatever you do less than this is lacking from you prayer.'" (Using translation from Nasāʾī 1314)   

كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَجَعَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَرْمُقُهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَرَجَعَ فَصَلَّىَ ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ قَالَ مَرَّتَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلَاثًا فَقَالَ لَهُ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ أَوْ فِي الرَّابِعَةِ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّلَقَدْ أَجْهَدْتُ نَفْسِي فَعَلِّمْنِي وَأَرِنِي فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ فَتَوَضَّأْ فَأَحْسِنْ وُضُوءَكَ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ ثُمَّ كَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ قُمْ فَإِذَا أَتْمَمْتَ صَلَاتَكَ عَلَى هَذَا فَقَدْ أَتْمَمْتَهَا وَمَا انْتَقَصْتَ مِنْ هَذَا مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَإِنَّمَا تُنْقِصُهُ مِنْ صَلَاتِكَ  

"My father narrated to me that a paternal uncle of his, who had been at Badr, said: 'I was sitting with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the masjid when a man came in and prayed two rak'ahs, then he came and greeted the Prophet ﷺ with salam. The Prophet ﷺ had been watching him as he prayed, so he returned his salam, then he said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." So he went back and prayed, then he came back and greeted the Prophet ﷺ with salam. He returned the salam, then he said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." The third or fourth time this happened, then the man said: "By the One Who revealed the Book to you, I have done my best and have tried hard; show me and teach me." He said: 'When you want to pray, perform wudu and do it well, then turn to face the Qiblah and say the takbir. Then recite the Quran, then bow until you are at ease in bowing. Then stand up until you are standing straight, then prostrate until you are at ease prostrating, then sit up until you are at ease sitting, then prostrate until you are at ease prostrating, then get up. If you complete the prayer in this manner you wil hve done it properly, and whatever you do less than this is lacking from you prayer.'" (Using translation from Nasāʾī 1314)   

بَيْنَا نَحْنُ جُلُوسٌ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ إِذْ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَالنَّبِيُّ ﷺ يَرْمُقُهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ «ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ» قَالَ فَرَجَعَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ» فَأَعَادَ عَلَيْهِ الثَّالِثَةَ أَوِ الرَّابِعَةَ وَالنَّبِيُّ ﷺ يَقُولُ قَوْلَهُ الْأَوَّلَ قَالَ أَيْ رَسُولَ اللهِ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي وَالَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ لَقَدِ اجْتَهَدْتُ وَحَرَصْتُ فَأَرِنِي وَعَلِّمْنِي قَالَ «إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أنْ تُصَلِّيَ فَتَوَضَّأْ فَأَحْسِنْ وُضُوءَكَ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبَلِ الْقِبْلَةَ فَكَبَّرْ وَاقْرَأْ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ رَافِعًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ قَاعِدًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ فَإِذَا أَتْمَمْتَ عَلَى هَذَا صَلَاتَكَ فَقَدْ أَتْمَمْتَ وَمَا نَقَصْتَ مِنْ هَذَا فَإِنَّمَا تَنْقُصُهُ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ»  

"My father narrated to me that a paternal uncle of his, who had been at Badr, said: 'I was sitting with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the masjid when a man came in and prayed two rak'ahs, then he came and greeted the Prophet ﷺ with salam. The Prophet ﷺ had been watching him as he prayed, so he returned his salam, then he said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." So he went back and prayed, then he came back and greeted the Prophet ﷺ with salam. He returned the salam, then he said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." The third or fourth time this happened, then the man said: "By the One Who revealed the Book to you, I have done my best and have tried hard; show me and teach me." He said: 'When you want to pray, perform wudu and do it well, then turn to face the Qiblah and say the takbir. Then recite the Quran, then bow until you are at ease in bowing. Then stand up until you are standing straight, then prostrate until you are at ease prostrating, then sit up until you are at ease sitting, then prostrate until you are at ease prostrating, then get up. If you complete the prayer in this manner you wil hve done it properly, and whatever you do less than this is lacking from you prayer.'" (Using translation from Nasāʾī 1314)   

كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ يُصَلِّي فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ قَالَ وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَرْمُقُهُ وَلَا يَفْطِنُ لَهُ فَلَمَّا صَلَّى أَقْبَلَ حَتَّى وَقَفَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ ثُمَّ قَالَ «ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ» فَرَجَعَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ «ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ» فَصَنَعَ ذَلِكَ مَرَّتَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلَاثًا قَالَ الرَّجُلُ وَالَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ لَقَدْ جَهَدْتُ وَحَرَصْتُ فَأَرِنِي يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ وَعَلِّمْنِي فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أنْ تُصَلِّيَ فَتَوَضَّأْ وَأَحْسِنْ وُضُوءَكَ كَمَا أَمَرَ اللهُ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَسْتَوِيَ قَاعِدًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ قُمْ فَإِنْ أَتْمَمْتَ صَلَاتَكَ عَلَى هَذَا فَقَدْ تَمَّتْ وَإِنِ انْتَقَصْتَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَإِنَّمَا تُنْقِصُهُ مِنْ صَلَاتِكَ»  

A paternal uncle of his who was present at Badr told him, that a man entered the masjid and prayed, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was watching, but we did not realize. When he had finished, he came and greeted the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with salam. He said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." So he went back and prayed, then he came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and he said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." (This happened) two or three times. Then the man said to him: "By the One who has honored you , O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, I have tried my best; teach me." He said: "When you get up to pray, perform wudu and do it well, then turn to face the Qiblah and say the takbir. Then recite the Quran, then bow until you are at ease in bowing. Then stand up until you are standing straight, then prostrate until you are at ease prostrating, then sit up until you are at ease sitting, then prostrate until you are at ease prostrating, then get up, and continue doing that until you have finished your prayer." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 1313)  

أَنَّهُ حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ رَجُلًا دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَصَلَّى وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَرْمُقُهُ وَنَحْنُ لَا نَشْعُرُ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ أَقْبَلَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ» فَرَجَعَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ» مَرَّتَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلَاثًا فَقَالَ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ وَالَّذِي أَكْرَمَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَقَدْ جَهَدْتُ فَعَلِّمْنِي فَقَالَ «إِذَا قُمْتَ تُرِيدُ الصَّلَاةَ فَتَوَضَّأْ فَأَحْسِنْ وُضُوءَكَ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ فَاطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ قَاعِدًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ ثُمَّ افْعَلْ حَتَّى تَفْرُغَ مِنْ صَلَاتِكَ»  

"We were with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when a man entered the Masjid and prayed. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ watched him without him realizing, then he finished, came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and greeted him with salam. He returned the salam and said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.'" He (the narrator) said: "I do not know if it was the second or third time,- "(the man) said: 'By the One Who revealed the Book to you, I have tried my best. Teach me and show me.' He said: 'When you want to pray, perform wudu' and do it well, then stand up and face the qiblah. Then say the takbir, then recite, then bow until you are at ease in bowing. Then stand up until you are standing up straight. Then prostrate until you are at ease in prostration, then raise your head until you are at ease in sitting, then prostrate until you are at ease in prostration. If you do that then you will have done your prayer properly, and whatever you failed to do properly is going to detract from your prayer." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 1053)  

كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ إِذْ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ الْمَسْجِدَ فَصَلَّى وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَرْمُقُهُ وَلَا يَشْعُرُ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ فَأَتَى رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامَ فَقَالَ «ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ» قَالَ لَا أَدْرِي فِي الثَّانِيَةِ أَوْ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ قَالَ وَالَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ لَقَدْ جَهَدْتُ فَعَلِّمْنِي وَأَرِنِي قَالَ «إِذَا أَرَدْتَ الصَّلَاةَ فَتَوَضَّأْ فَأَحْسَنِ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ قُمْ فَاسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ ثُمَّ كَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ قَاعِدًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا فَإِذَا صَنَعْتَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ قَضَيْتَ صَلَاتَكَ وَمَا انْتَقَصْتَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَإِنَّمَا انْتَقَصْتَهُ مِنْ صَلَاتِكَ»  

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the mosque, a man also entered it and prayed. He then came and saluted the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ returned the salutation and said to him: Go back and pray, for you have not prayed. The man returned and prayed as he prayed before. He then came to prophet ﷺ and saluted him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him: “ And upon you be peace. “ Go back and pray, for you have not prayed. He did so three times. Then the man said: By Him who has sent you(as a Prophet) with truth; I cannot do better than this; so teach me. He said: When you get up to pray, utter the takbir(Allah is most great); then recite a convenient portion of the Qur’an; then bow and remain quietly in that position; then sit and remain quietly in that position; then raise yourself and stand erect: then prostrate yourself and remain quietly in that position; then sit and remain quietly in that position; then do that throughout all your prayer. Abu Dawud said: Al-Qa’nabi reported this tradition from Sa’id b. Abi Sa’Id on the authority of Abu Hurairah. This version has the wording in the last: When you do this, then your prayer is completed. If you omit anything form this, you omit that much from your prayer. This version also has the wording: when you get up for praying, perform the abulation perfectly. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 856)   

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ وَقَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ ثَلَاثًا قَالَ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا أُحْسِنُ غَيْرَهُ فَعَلِّمْنِي قَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلَاتِكَ كُلِّهَا  

[Machine] A man entered the mosque and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sitting in a corner of the mosque. The man performed his prayers and then came to greet him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him, "Peace be upon you. Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." So the man returned and prayed. Then he came to greet him again and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said the same thing to him. In the third time, the man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to teach him. He said, "When you stand up for prayer, perform the ablution thoroughly, face the qiblah, and say the takbir. Then recite whatever is easy for you from the Quran. Then bow until you are at ease in the bowing position, then raise your head until you are in a balanced standing position. Then prostrate until you are at ease in the prostration position, then raise yourself until you are at ease in the sitting position. Then prostrate until you are at ease in the prostration position again, then sit until you are at ease in the sitting position. Then do the same in every unit of prayer and prostration." Abu Usamah confirmed this and said, "Yes, that is what Ishaaq ibn Ibrahim al-Hanzhali reported from Abu Usamah. Another narration from Abu Usamah and another from Ibn Numayr also confirmed this."  

دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ الْمَسْجِدَ وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ جَالِسٌ فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ وَعَلَيْكَ السَّلَامُ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَرَجَعَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ فَعَلِّمْنِي يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَأَسْبِغِ الْوُضُوءَ وَاسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ وَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ قَاعِدًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ اقْعُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ قَاعِدًا ثُمَّ افْعَلْ كَذَلِكَ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَةٍ وَسَجْدَةٍ فَأَقَرَّ بِهِ أَبُو أُسَامَةَ وَقَالَ نَعَمْ كَذَا قَالَ إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْحَنْظَلِيُّ عَنْ أَبِي أُسَامَةَ وَرِوَايَتُهُ كَذَلِكَ مِنْ وَجْهٍ آخَرَ عَنْ أَبِي أُسَامَةَ وَمِنْ وَجْهٍ آخَرَ عَنِ ابْنِ نُمَيْرٍ  

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the mosque, a man also entered it and prayed. He then came and saluted the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ returned the salutation and said to him: Go back and pray, for you have not prayed. The man returned and prayed as he prayed before. He then came to prophet ﷺ and saluted him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him: “ And upon you be peace. “ Go back and pray, for you have not prayed. He did so three times. Then the man said: By Him who has sent you(as a Prophet) with truth; I cannot do better than this; so teach me. He said: When you get up to pray, utter the takbir(Allah is most great); then recite a convenient portion of the Qur’an; then bow and remain quietly in that position; then sit and remain quietly in that position; then raise yourself and stand erect: then prostrate yourself and remain quietly in that position; then sit and remain quietly in that position; then do that throughout all your prayer. Abu Dawud said: Al-Qa’nabi reported this tradition from Sa’id b. Abi Sa’Id on the authority of Abu Hurairah. This version has the wording in the last: When you do this, then your prayer is completed. If you omit anything form this, you omit that much from your prayer. This version also has the wording: when you get up for praying, perform the abulation perfectly. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 856)   

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ وَعَلَيْكَ السَّلَامُ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّي فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ حَتَّى فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا أُحْسِنُ غَيْرَ هَذَا فَأَرِنِي وَعَلِّمْنِي قَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلَاتِكَ كُلِّهَا أَخْرَجَاهُ مِنْ حَدِيثِ يَحْيَى الْقَطَّانِ  

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the mosque, a man also entered it and prayed. He then came and saluted the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ returned the salutation and said to him: Go back and pray, for you have not prayed. The man returned and prayed as he prayed before. He then came to prophet ﷺ and saluted him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him: “ And upon you be peace. “ Go back and pray, for you have not prayed. He did so three times. Then the man said: By Him who has sent you(as a Prophet) with truth; I cannot do better than this; so teach me. He said: When you get up to pray, utter the takbir(Allah is most great); then recite a convenient portion of the Qur’an; then bow and remain quietly in that position; then sit and remain quietly in that position; then raise yourself and stand erect: then prostrate yourself and remain quietly in that position; then sit and remain quietly in that position; then do that throughout all your prayer. Abu Dawud said: Al-Qa’nabi reported this tradition from Sa’id b. Abi Sa’Id on the authority of Abu Hurairah. This version has the wording in the last: When you do this, then your prayer is completed. If you omit anything form this, you omit that much from your prayer. This version also has the wording: when you get up for praying, perform the abulation perfectly. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 856)   

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَرَدَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامَ وَقَالَ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ قَالَ فَرَجَعَ الرَّجُلُ فَصَلَّى كَمَا يُصَلِّي ثُمَّ جَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَعَلَيْكَ السَّلَامُ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ حَتَّى فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ ثَلَاثَ مِرَارٍ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا أُحْسِنُ غَيْرَ هَذَا فَعَلِّمْنِي قَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلَاتِكَ كُلِّهَا أَخْرَجَاهُ مِنْ حَدِيثِ يَحْيَى الْقَطَّانِ  

A man entered the mosque while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sitting in one side of the mosque. The man prayed, came, and greeted the Prophet. Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him, "Wa 'Alaikas Salam (returned his greeting). Go back and pray as you have not prayed (properly)." The man returned, repeated his prayer, came back and greeted the Prophet. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Wa alaika-s-Salam (returned his greeting). Go back and pray again as you have not prayed (properly)." The man said at the second or third time, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Kindly teach me how to pray". The Prophet ﷺ said, "When you stand for prayer, perform ablution properly and then face the Qibla and say Takbir (Allahu-Akbar), and then recite what you know from the Qur'an, and then bow with calmness till you feel at ease then rise from bowing, till you stand straight, and then prostrate calmly (and remain in prostration) till you feel at ease, and then raise (your head) and sit with calmness till you feel at ease and then prostrate with calmness (and remain in prostration) till you feel at ease, and then raise (your head) and sit with calmness till you feel at ease in the sitting position, and do likewise in whole of your prayer." And Abu Usama added, "Till you stand straight." (See Hadith No. 759, Vol.1) (Using translation from Bukhārī 6251)   

أَنَّ رَجُلًا دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ جَالِسٌ فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَعَلَيْكَ السَّلَامُ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَرَجَعَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ وَعَلَيْكَ السَّلَامُ ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ فَقَالَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ أَوْ فِي الَّتِي بَعْدَهَا عَلِّمْنِي يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ فَقَالَ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَأَسْبِغِ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اقْرَأْ بِمَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَسْتَوِيَ قَائِمًا ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ جَالِسًا ثُمَّ افْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فِي صَلَاتِكَ كُلِّهَا  

"كُنَّا جُلُوسًا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ إِذْ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى صَلَاةً خَفِيفَةً لَا يُتمُّ رُكُوعًا، وَلَا سُجُودًا، وَرَسُولُ الله ﷺ يَرْمُقُهُ، وَلاَ يَشْعُرُ، فَصَلَّى، ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِىِّ ﷺ ، فَرَدَّ عَليْه السَّلَامَ، فَقَالَ: أَعِدْ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ، فَفَعَلَ ذلِكَ ثَلَاثًا، فَقَالَ: أَىْ رَسُولَ الله، بِأَبِى أَنْتَ وَأُمِّى، وَالَّذِى أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ، لَقَدِ اجْتَهَدْتُ وَحَرَصْتُ فَأَرِنِى وَعَلِّمْنِى، فَقَالَ: إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تُصَلِّىَ فَأَحْسِنْ وُضُوءَكَ، ثُمَّ استْقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ فَكَبِّرْ، ثُمَّ اقْرَأ، ثُمَّ ارْكعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاكِعًا، ثُمَ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ قَائِمًا، ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا، ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ، قَالَ: ثُمَّ اسْجُدْ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِدًا، ثُمَّ ارْفَعْ، فَإِذَا أَتْمَمْتَ عَلَىَ هَذا صَلَاتَكَ فَقَدْ أَتْمَمْتَ، وَمَا نَقَصْتَ مِنْ هَذَا شَيْئًا، فَإِنَّمَا تَنْقُصُهُ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ".