"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."  

رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَؤُمُّ النَّاسَ وَهُوَ حَامِلٌ أُمَامَةَ بِنْتَ أَبِي الْعَاصِ عَلَى عَاتِقِهِ فَإِذَا رَكَعَ وَضَعَهَا وَإِذَا رَفَعَ مِنْ سُجُودِهِ أَعَادَهَا  

"Muhammad ﷺ said: 'Does the one who raises his head before the Imam not fear that Allah may turn his head into the head of a donkey?"'  

مُحَمَّدٌ ﷺ أَلاَ يَخْشَى الَّذِي يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ قَبْلَ الإِمَامِ أَنْ يُحَوِّلَ اللَّهُ 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."'  

حَدَّثَنَا الْبَرَاءُ وَكَانَ غَيْرَ كَذُوبٍ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا صَلَّوْا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَرَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الرُّكُوعِ قَامُوا قِيَامًا حَتَّى يَرَوْهُ سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ سَجَدُوا  

"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.'"  

صَلَّى بِنَا أَبُو مُوسَى فَلَمَّا كَانَ فِي الْقَعْدَةِ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ فَقَالَ أُقِرَّتِ الصَّلاَةُ بِالْبِرِّ وَالزَّكَاةِ فَلَمَّا سَلَّمَ أَبُو مُوسَى أَقْبَلَ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ فَقَالَ أَيُّكُمُ الْقَائِلُ هَذِهِ الْكَلِمَةَ فَأَرَمَّ الْقَوْمُ قَالَ يَا حِطَّانُ لَعَلَّكَ قُلْتَهَا قَالَ لاَ وَقَدْ خَشِيتُ أَنْ تَبْكَعَنِي بِهَا فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يُعَلِّمُنَا صَلاَتَنَا وَسُنَّتَنَا فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ فَكَبِّرُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ { غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ } فَقُولُوا آمِينَ يُجِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا رَفَعَ فَقَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ فَقُولُوا رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ يَسْمَعِ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَإِذَا سَجَدَ فَاسْجُدُوا وَإِذَا رَفَعَ فَارْفَعُوا فَإِنَّ الإِمَامَ يَسْجُدُ قَبْلَكُمْ وَيَرْفَعُ قَبْلَكُمْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ 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?"'  

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ وَقَدْ أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَدَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَصَلَّى خَلْفَ مُعَاذٍ فَطَوَّلَ بِهِمْ فَانْصَرَفَ الرَّجُلُ فَصَلَّى فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ فَلَمَّا قَضَى مُعَاذٌ الصَّلاَةَ قِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّ فُلاَنًا فَعَلَ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَقَالَ مُعَاذٌ لَئِنْ أَصْبَحْتُ لأَذْكُرَنَّ ذَلِكَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَتَى مُعَاذٌ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَأَرْسَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ مَا حَمَلَكَ عَلَى الَّذِي صَنَعْتَ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَمِلْتُ عَلَى نَاضِحِي مِنَ النَّهَارِ فَجِئْتُ وَقَدْ أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَدَخَلْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَدَخَلْتُ مَعَهُ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَقَرَأَ سُورَةَ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَطَوَّلَ فَانْصَرَفْتُ فَصَلَّيْتُ فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَفَتَّانٌ يَا مُعَاذُ أَفَتَّانٌ يَا مُعَاذُ أَفَتَّانٌ يَا مُعَاذُ  

"The Imam is appointed to be followed. If he prays standing then pray standing; when he bows, bow; when he says, Sami' Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him), say 'Rabbana lakalhamd (Our Lord, to You be praise); and if he prays sitting then pray sitting, all of you."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ رَكِبَ فَرَسًا فَصُرِعَ عَنْهُ فَجُحِشَ شِقُّهُ الأَيْمَنُ فَصَلَّى صَلاَةً مِنَ الصَّلَوَاتِ وَهُوَ قَاعِدٌ فَصَلَّيْنَا وَرَاءَهُ قُعُودًا فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا صَلَّى قَائِمًا فَصَلُّوا قِيَامًا وَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ فَقُولُوا رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَإِذَا صَلَّى جَالِسًا فَصَلُّوا 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."  

لَمَّا ثَقُلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ جَاءَ بِلاَلٌ يُؤْذِنُهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ وَإِنَّهُ مَتَى يَقُومُ فِي مَقَامِكَ لاَ يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَقُلْتُ لِحَفْصَةَ قُولِي لَهُ فَقَالَتْ لَهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّكُنَّ لأَنْتُنَّ صَوَاحِبَاتُ يُوسُفَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ فَأَمَرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ وَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً قَالَتْ فَقَامَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ وَرِجْلاَهُ تَخُطَّانِ فِي الأَرْضِ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ سَمِعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حِسَّهُ فَذَهَبَ لِيَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَنْ قُمْ كَمَا أَنْتَ قَالَتْ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى قَامَ عَنْ يَسَارِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ جَالِسًا فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ جَالِسًا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ قَائِمًا يَقْتَدِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ يَقْتَدُونَ بِصَلاَةِ أَبِي 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."'  

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ فَقُلْتُ أَلاَ تُحَدِّثِينِي عَنْ مَرَضِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ لَمَّا ثَقُلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ أَصَلَّى النَّاسُ فَقُلْنَا لاَ وَهُمْ يَنْتَظِرُونَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ ضَعُوا لِي مَاءً فِي الْمِخْضَبِ فَفَعَلْنَا فَاغْتَسَلَ ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ لِيَنُوءَ فَأُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ أَفَاقَ فَقَالَ أَصَلَّى النَّاسُ قُلْنَا لاَ هُمْ يَنْتَظِرُونَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ ضَعُوا لِي مَاءً فِي الْمِخْضَبِ فَفَعَلْنَا فَاغْتَسَلَ ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ لِيَنُوءَ ثُمَّ أُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ مِثْلَ قَوْلِهِ قَالَتْ وَالنَّاسُ عُكُوفٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ يَنْتَظِرُونَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ لِصَلاَةِ الْعِشَاءِ فَأَرْسَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ أَنْ صَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَجَاءَهُ الرَّسُولُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَأْمُرُكَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ وَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ رَجُلاً رَقِيقًا فَقَالَ يَا عُمَرُ صَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَقَالَ أَنْتَ أَحَقُّ بِذَلِكَ فَصَلَّى بِهِمْ أَبُو بَكْرٍ تِلْكَ الأَيَّامَ ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَجَدَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَجَاءَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَا الْعَبَّاسُ لِصَلاَةِ الظُّهْرِ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ذَهَبَ لِيَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَنْ لاَ يَتَأَخَّرَ وَأَمَرَهُمَا فَأَجْلَسَاهُ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ فَجَعَلَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي قَائِمًا وَالنَّاسُ يُصَلُّونَ بِصَلاَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي قَاعِدًا فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ فَقُلْتُ أَلاَ أَعْرِضُ عَلَيْكَ مَا حَدَّثَتْنِي عَائِشَةُ عَنْ مَرَضِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَحَدَّثْتُهُ فَمَا أَنْكَرَ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ أَسَمَّتْ لَكَ الرَّجُلَ الَّذِي كَانَ مَعَ الْعَبَّاسِ قُلْتُ لاَ قَالَ هُوَ عَلِيٌّ كَرَّمَ اللَّهُ وَجْهَهُ  

"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."'  

سَمِعْتُ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ يَقُولُ كَانَ مُعَاذٌ يُصَلِّي مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى قَوْمِهِ يَؤُمُّهُمْ فَأَخَّرَ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ الصَّلاَةَ وَصَلَّى مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَى قَوْمِهِ يَؤُمُّهُمْ فَقَرَأَ سُورَةَ الْبَقَرَةِ فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ تَأَخَّرَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَقَالُوا نَافَقْتَ يَا فُلاَنُ فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا نَافَقْتُ وَلآتِيَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَأُخْبِرُهُ فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ مُعَاذًا يُصَلِّي مَعَكَ ثُمَّ يَأْتِينَا فَيَؤُمُّنَا وَإِنَّكَ أَخَّرْتَ الصَّلاَةَ الْبَارِحَةَ فَصَلَّى مَعَكَ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ فَأَمَّنَا فَاسْتَفْتَحَ بِسُورَةِ 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.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّهُ صَلَّى صَلاَةَ الْخَوْفِ فَصَلَّى بِالَّذِينَ خَلْفَهُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَبِالَّذِينَ جَاءُوا رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَكَانَتْ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَرْبَعًا وَلِهَؤُلاَءِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ  

"Praying in congregation is twenty-seven times better than praying alone."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ صَلاَةُ الْجَمَاعَةِ تَفْضُلُ عَلَى صَلاَةِ الْفَذِّ بِسَبْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ دَرَجَةً  

"Praying in congregation is twenty-five portions better than one of you praying alone."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ صَلاَةُ الْجَمَاعَةِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صَلاَةِ أَحَدِكُمْ وَحْدَهُ خَمْسًا وَعِشْرِينَ جُزْءًا  

"Prayer in congregation is twenty-five levels better than a prayer offered on one's own."  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ صَلاَةُ الْجَمَاعَةِ تَزِيدُ عَلَى صَلاَةِ الْفَذِّ خَمْسًا وَعِشْرِينَ دَرَجَةً  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺsaid: 'If there are three people, let one of them lead the others in prayer, and the one who has the most right to lead the prayer is the one who recites (knows) the most (Qur'an)."'  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا كَانُوا ثَلاَثَةً فَلْيَؤُمَّهُمْ أَحَدُهُمْ وَأَحَقُّهُمْ بِالإِمَامَةِ أَقْرَؤُهُمْ  

"I prayed beside the Prophet ﷺ and Aisha was behind us praying with us, and I was beside the Prophet ﷺ praying with him."  

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."  

صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُمْتُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ فَأَخَذَنِي بِيَدِهِ الْيُسْرَى فَأَقَامَنِي 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."'  

وَقَالَ أَبُو إِسْحَاقَ وَقَدْ سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْهُ وَمِنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أُبَىَّ بْنَ كَعْبٍ يَقُولُ صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَوْمًا صَلاَةَ الصُّبْحِ فَقَالَ أَشَهِدَ فُلاَنٌ الصَّلاَةَ قَالُوا لاَ قَالَ فَفُلاَنٌ قَالُوا لاَ قَالَ إِنَّ هَاتَيْنِ الصَّلاَتَيْنِ مِنْ أَثْقَلِ الصَّلاَةِ عَلَى الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِيهِمَا لأَتَوْهُمَا وَلَوْ حَبْوًا وَالصَّفُّ الأَوَّلُ عَلَى مِثْلِ صَفِّ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ وَلَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ فَضِيلَتَهُ لاَبْتَدَرْتُمُوهُ وَصَلاَةُ الرَّجُلِ مَعَ الرَّجُلِ أَزْكَى مِنْ صَلاَتِهِ وَحْدَهُ وَصَلاَةُ الرَّجُلِ مَعَ الرَّجُلَيْنِ أَزْكَى مِنْ صَلاَتِهِ مَعَ الرَّجُلِ وَمَا كَانُوا أَكْثَرَ فَهُوَ أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ ﷻ  

"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."  

أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ السُّيُولَ لَتَحُولُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ مَسْجِدِ قَوْمِي فَأُحِبُّ أَنْ تَأْتِيَنِي فَتُصَلِّيَ فِي مَكَانٍ مِنْ بَيْتِي أَتَّخِذُهُ مَسْجِدًا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ سَنَفْعَلُ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ أَيْنَ تُرِيدُ فَأَشَرْتُ إِلَى نَاحِيَةٍ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَصَفَفْنَا خَلْفَهُ فَصَلَّى بِنَا رَكْعَتَيْنِ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ turned to face us when he stood up to pray, before he said Takbir, and said: 'Make your rows straight and fill the gaps, for I can see you from behind my back."'  

أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِوَجْهِهِ حِينَ قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُكَبِّرَ فَقَالَ أَقِيمُوا صُفُوفَكُمْ وَتَرَاصُّوا فَإِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ مِنْ وَرَاءِ ظَهْرِي  

"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."  

كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذْ قَالَ بَعْضُ الْقَوْمِ لَوْ عَرَّسْتَ بِنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ تَنَامُوا عَنِ الصَّلاَةِ قَالَ بِلاَلٌ أَنَا أَحْفَظُكُمْ فَاضْطَجَعُوا فَنَامُوا وَأَسْنَدَ بِلاَلٌ ظَهْرَهُ إِلَى رَاحِلَتِهِ فَاسْتَيْقَظَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَقَدْ طَلَعَ حَاجِبُ الشَّمْسِ فَقَالَ يَا بِلاَلُ أَيْنَ مَا قُلْتَ قَالَ مَا أُلْقِيَتْ عَلَىَّ نَوْمَةٌ مِثْلُهَا قَطُّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنَّ اللَّهَ ﷻ قَبَضَ أَرْوَاحَكُمْ حِينَ شَاءَ فَرَدَّهَا حِينَ شَاءَ قُمْ يَا بِلاَلُ فَآذِنِ النَّاسَ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَقَامَ بِلاَلٌ فَأَذَّنَ فَتَوَضَّئُوا يَعْنِي حِينَ ارْتَفَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَصَلَّى بِهِمْ  

"Abu Ad-Darda said to me: 'Where do you live?' I said: 'In a town near Hims.' Abu Ad-Darda said: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: "There are no three people in a town or encampment among whom prayer is not established, but the Shaitan takes control of them. Therefore, stick to the congregation, for the wolf eats the sheep that strays off on its own." (One of the narrators (As Sa'ib) said: "The congregation means the congregational prayer."  

لِي أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ أَيْنَ مَسْكَنُكَ قُلْتُ فِي قَرْيَةٍ دُوَيْنَ حِمْصَ فَقَالَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ مَا مِنْ ثَلاَثَةٍ فِي قَرْيَةٍ وَلاَ بَدْوٍ لاَ تُقَامُ فِيهِمُ الصَّلاَةُ إِلاَّ قَدِ اسْتَحْوَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالْجَمَاعَةِ فَإِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُ الذِّئْبُ الْقَاصِيَةَ قَالَ السَّائِبُ يَعْنِي بِالْجَمَاعَةِ الْجَمَاعَةَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ  

"By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! I nearly ordered that firewood be gathered to be lit, then I would have ordered that the Adhan be called for prayer, and ordered a man to lead the people in prayer, then I would have gone from behind to those men and burned their houses down over them. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! If any one of them knew that he would get a meaty bone or some meat in between two ribs, he would attend Isha'.''  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَقَدْ هَمَمْتُ أَنْ آمُرَ بِحَطَبٍ فَيُحْطَبَ ثُمَّ آمُرَ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَيُؤَذَّنَ لَهَا ثُمَّ آمُرَ رَجُلاً فَيَؤُمَّ النَّاسَ ثُمَّ أُخَالِفَ إِلَى رِجَالٍ فَأُحَرِّقَ عَلَيْهِمْ بُيُوتَهُمْ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَوْ يَعْلَمُ أَحَدُهُمْ أَنَّهُ يَجِدُ عَظْمًا سَمِينًا أَوْ مَرْمَاتَيْنِ حَسْنَتَيْنِ لَشَهِدَ الْعِشَاءَ  

"Whoever would like to meet Allah tomorrow as a Muslim, let him regularly attend these five (daily) prayers whenever the call for them is given (that in the mosques), for Allah prescribed for His Prophet the ways of guidance, and they (the prayers) are part of those ways of guidance. I do not think that there is anyone among you who does not have a place where he prays in his house. But if you were to pray in your houses and forsake the Masjids, you would be forsaking the Sunnah of your Prophet, and if you were to forsake the Sunnah of your Prophet you would go astray. There is no Muslim slave who performs Wudu and does it well, then walks to the prayer, but Allah will record one Hasanah (good deed) for each step he takes, or raise' him one level by it or erase one sin from him. I remember how we used to take short steps, and I remember (a time) when no one stayed behind from the prayer except a hypocrite whose hypocrisy was well known. And I have seen a man coming Supported by two others until he would be made to stand in the row."  

أَنْ يَلْقَى اللَّهَ ﷻ غَدًا مُسْلِمًا فَلْيُحَافِظْ عَلَى هَؤُلاَءِ الصَّلَوَاتِ الْخَمْسِ حَيْثُ يُنَادَى بِهِنَّ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ ﷻ شَرَعَ لِنَبِيِّهِ ﷺ سُنَنَ الْهُدَى وَإِنَّهُنَّ مِنْ سُنَنِ الْهُدَى وَإِنِّي لاَ أَحْسَبُ مِنْكُمْ أَحَدًا إِلاَّ لَهُ مَسْجِدٌ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ فِي بَيْتِهِ فَلَوْ صَلَّيْتُمْ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ وَتَرَكْتُمْ مَسَاجِدَكُمْ لَتَرَكْتُمْ سُنَّةَ نَبِيِّكُمْ وَلَوْ تَرَكْتُمْ سُنَّةَ نَبِيِّكُمْ لَضَلَلْتُمْ وَمَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ مُسْلِمٍ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَيُحْسِنُ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ يَمْشِي إِلَى صَلاَةٍ إِلاَّ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ ﷻ لَهُ بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ يَخْطُوهَا حَسَنَةً أَوْ يَرْفَعُ لَهُ بِهَا دَرَجَةً أَوْ يُكَفِّرُ عَنْهُ بِهَا خَطِيئَةً وَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُنَا نُقَارِبُ بَيْنَ الْخُطَا وَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُنَا وَمَا يَتَخَلَّفُ عَنْهَا إِلاَّ مُنَافِقٌ مَعْلُومٌ نِفَاقُهُ وَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ الرَّجُلَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ الرَّجُلَيْنِ حَتَّى يُقَامَ فِي الصَّفِّ  

"A blind man came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺand said: 'I do not have a guide to bring me to the prayer.' And he asked him to grant him a dispensation allowing him to pray in his house, and he gave him permission. Then when he turned away he said to him: 'Can you hear the call to prayer?' He said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Then respond to it."'  

جَاءَ أَعْمَى إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لِي قَائِدٌ يَقُودُنِي إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَسَأَلَهُ أَنْ يُرَخِّصَ لَهُ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ فِي بَيْتِهِ فَأَذِنَ لَهُ فَلَمَّا وَلَّى دَعَاهُ قَالَ لَهُ أَتَسْمَعُ النِّدَاءَ بِالصَّلاَةِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَأَجِبْ  

"0 Messenger of Allah ﷺ, there are many (dangerous) pests and wild animals in Al-Madinah." He said: "Can you hear (the words) 'Come prayer, come to prosperity'?" He said "Yes." He said: "Then be quick to respond," and he did not grant him a dispensation.  

أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْمَدِينَةَ كَثِيرَةُ الْهَوَامِّ وَالسِّبَاعِ قَالَ هَلْ تَسْمَعُ حَىَّ عَلَى الصَّلاَةِ حَىَّ عَلَى الْفَلاَحِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَحَىَّ هَلاً وَلَمْ يُرَخِّصْ لَهُ  

"I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: 'If any one of you feels the need to defecate, let him do that first, before he prays."'  

سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ إِذَا وَجَدَ أَحَدُكُمُ الْغَائِطَ فَلْيَبْدَأْ بِهِ قَبْلَ الصَّلاَةِ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'If dinner is ready and the Iqamah for prayer is said, then start with dinner first."'  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا حَضَرَ الْعَشَاءُ وَأُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَابْدَءُوا بِالْعَشَاءِ  

"We were with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in Hunain and it rained. The caller of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ called out, telling us: 'Pray where you are."'  

كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِحُنَيْنٍ فَأَصَابَنَا مَطَرٌ فَنَادَى مُنَادِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَنْ صَلُّوا فِي رِحَالِكُمْ  

"Whoever performs wudu' and does it well, then sets out for the Masjid and finds that the people have already prayed, Allah will decree for him a reward like that of those who attended (the prayer), without reducing the slightest from their reward."  

عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ فَأَحْسَنَ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ عَامِدًا إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ فَوَجَدَ النَّاسَ قَدْ صَلَّوْا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مِثْلَ أَجْرِ مَنْ حَضَرَهَا وَلاَ يَنْقُصُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ أُجُورِهِمْ شَيْئًا  

"I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: 'Whoever does wudu' properly, then walks to (attend) the prescribed prayer, and prays with the people or with the congregation or in the Masjid, Allah will forgive him his sins."  

سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ لِلصَّلاَةِ فَأَسْبَغَ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ مَشَى إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ فَصَلاَّهَا مَعَ النَّاسِ أَوْ مَعَ الْجَمَاعَةِ أَوْ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ ذُنُوبَهُ  

"What kept you from praying? Are you not a Muslim man?" He said: "Yes, but I had already prayed with my family." The Messenger of Allah ﷺsaid to him: "When you come you should pray with the people even if you have already prayed."  

أَنَّهُ كَانَ فِي مَجْلِسٍ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَذَّنَ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ وَمِحْجَنٌ فِي مَجْلِسِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ أَلَسْتَ بِرَجُلٍ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ بَلَى وَلَكِنِّي كُنْتُ قَدْ صَلَّيْتُ فِي أَهْلِي فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا جِئْتَ فَصَلِّ مَعَ النَّاسِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ قَدْ صَلَّيْتَ  

I attended Fajr prayer with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in Masjid al-Khayf. When he finished praying, he saw two men at the back of the people who had not prayed with him. He said: “Bring them here.” So they were brought to him, trembling. He said: “What kept you from praying with us?” They said: ‘O Messenger of Allah ﷺ we had already prayed in our homes.' He said: “Do not do that. If you have already prayed in your homes, then you come to a masjid in which there is a congregation, then pray with them, and it will be a voluntary prayer for you."  

شَهِدْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَلاَةَ الْفَجْرِ فِي مَسْجِدِ الْخَيْفِ فَلَمَّا قَضَى صَلاَتَهُ إِذَا هُوَ بِرَجُلَيْنِ فِي آخِرِ الْقَوْمِ لَمْ يُصَلِّيَا مَعَهُ قَالَ عَلَىَّ بِهِمَا فَأُتِيَ بِهِمَا تُرْعَدُ فَرَائِصُهُمَا فَقَالَ مَا مَنَعَكُمَا أَنْ تُصَلِّيَا مَعَنَا قَالاَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا قَدْ صَلَّيْنَا فِي رِحَالِنَا قَالَ فَلاَ تَفْعَلاَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتُمَا فِي رِحَالِكُمَا ثُمَّ أَتَيْتُمَا مَسْجِدَ جَمَاعَةٍ فَصَلِّيَا مَعَهُمْ فَإِنَّهَا لَكُمَا نَافِلَةٌ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me, and struck my thigh: 'What will you do if you stay among people who delay the prayer until its time is over?' He said: 'What do you command me to do?' He said: 'Offer the prayer on time, then go about your business. Then if the Iqamah for that prayer is said and you are in the Masjid, then pray.'"  

لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَضَرَبَ فَخِذِي كَيْفَ أَنْتَ إِذَا بَقِيتَ فِي قَوْمٍ يُؤَخِّرُونَ الصَّلاَةَ عَنْ وَقْتِهَا قَالَ مَا تَأْمُرُ قَالَ صَلِّ الصَّلاَةَ لِوَقْتِهَا ثُمَّ اذْهَبْ لِحَاجَتِكَ فَإِنْ أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ وَأَنْتَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَصَلِّ  

"I saw Ibn 'Umar sitting in Al-Balat when the people were praying. I said: '0 Abu 'Abdur- Rahman, why are you not praying?' He said: 'I have already prayed, and I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: "Do not repeat a prayer twice in one day."  

سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ لاَ تُعَادُ الصَّلاَةُ فِي يَوْمٍ مَرَّتَيْنِ  

"The Messenger of ﷺ said: 'When you come to pray, do not come rushing; come walking in a dignified manner, and whatever you catch up with, pray, and whatever you miss, make it up."'  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَتَيْتُمُ الصَّلاَةَ فَلاَ تَأْتُوهَا وَأَنْتُمْ تَسْعَوْنَ وَأْتُوهَا تَمْشُونَ وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّكِينَةُ فَمَا أَدْرَكْتُمْ فَصَلُّوا وَمَا فَاتَكُمْ فَاقْضُوا  

"After the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had prayed Asr, he would go to Banu 'Abdul-Ashhal to speak to them, until the time for Maghrib came." Abu Rafi said: "While the Prophet ﷺ was hastening to pray Maghrib, we passed by and he said: 'Fie on you, fie on you!' That upset me so I slowed down because I thought hat he meant me. He said: 'What is the matter with you? Keep up!' I said: 'Is there something wrong?' He said: 'Why are you asking that? I said: 'Because you said: "Fie on you" to me.' He said: 'No, that was so-and-so whom I had sent to collect Zakat from the tribe of so-and-so, and he stole a Namirah and now he is clothed with something similar made of Fire."'  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا صَلَّى الْعَصْرَ ذَهَبَ إِلَى بَنِي عَبْدِ الأَشْهَلِ فَيَتَحَدَّثُ عِنْدَهُمْ حَتَّى يَنْحَدِرَ لِلْمَغْرِبِ قَالَ أَبُو رَافِعٍ فَبَيْنَمَا النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُسْرِعُ إِلَى الْمَغْرِبِ مَرَرْنَا بِالْبَقِيعِ فَقَالَ أُفٍّ لَكَ أُفٍّ لَكَ قَالَ فَكَبُرَ ذَلِكَ فِي ذَرْعِي فَاسْتَأْخَرْتُ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ يُرِيدُنِي فَقَالَ مَا لَكَ امْشِ فَقُلْتُ أَحْدَثْتُ حَدَثًا قَالَ مَا ذَاكَ قُلْتُ أَفَّفْتَ بِي قَالَ لاَ وَلَكِنْ هَذَا فُلاَنٌ بَعَثْتُهُ سَاعِيًا عَلَى بَنِي فُلاَنٍ فَغَلَّ نَمِرَةً فَدُرِّعَ الآنَ مِثْلَهَا مِنْ نَارٍ  

(Another chain) with similar from Abu Rafi.  

أَخْبَرَنِي مَنْبُوذٌ رَجُلٌ مِنْ آلِ أَبِي رَافِعٍ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي رَافِعٍ عَنْ أَبِي رَافِعٍ نَحْوَهُ  

"The likeness of one who comes early to prayer is that of one who sacrificed a camel, then the one who comes after him is like one who sacrificed a cow, then the one who comes after him is like one who sacrificed a ram, then the one who comes after him is like one who sacrificed a chicken, then the one who comes after him is like one who sacrificed an egg."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ الْمُهَجِّرِ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي يُهْدِي الْبَدَنَةَ ثُمَّ الَّذِي عَلَى إِثْرِهِ كَالَّذِي يُهْدِي الْبَقَرَةَ ثُمَّ الَّذِي عَلَى إِثْرِهِ كَالَّذِي يُهْدِي الْكَبْشَ ثُمَّ الَّذِي عَلَى إِثْرِهِ كَالَّذِي يُهْدِي الدَّجَاجَةَ ثُمَّ الَّذِي عَلَى إِثْرِهِ كَالَّذِي يُهْدِي الْبَيْضَةَ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ aid: 'When the Iqamah for prayer is said, there is no prayer except the prescribed prayer."'  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَلاَ صَلاَةَ إِلاَّ الْمَكْتُوبَةُ  

"When the Iqamah for prayer is said, there is no prayer except the prescribed prayer."  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ إِذَا أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَلاَ صَلاَةَ إِلاَّ الْمَكْتُوبَةُ  

"The Iqamah for Subh prayer was said, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a man praying while the Mu'adhdhin saying the Iqamah. He said: 'Are you praying Subh with four Rak'ahs?"'  

أُقِيمَتْ صَلاَةُ الصُّبْحِ فَرَأَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ رَجُلاً يُصَلِّي وَالْمُؤَذِّنُ يُقِيمُ فَقَالَ أَتُصَلِّي الصُّبْحَ أَرْبَعًا  

"A man came while the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was praying Subh, and he prayed two Rak'ahs then joined the prayer. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had finished praying he said: O so-and-so, which of them is your prayer - the one you prayed with us or the one you prayed on your own?"'  

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي صَلاَةِ الصُّبْحِ فَرَكَعَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَلاَتَهُ قَالَ يَا فُلاَنُ أَيُّهُمَا صَلاَتُكَ الَّتِي صَلَّيْتَ مَعَنَا أَوِ الَّتِي صَلَّيْتَ لِنَفْسِكَ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to our house and I prayed with an orphan of ours behind him, and Umm Sulaim prayed behind us."  

أَتَانَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي بَيْتِنَا فَصَلَّيْتُ أَنَا وَيَتِيمٌ لَنَا خَلْفَهُ وَصَلَّتْ أُمُّ سُلَيْمٍ خَلْفَنَا  

"There was a woman who used to pray behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ who was beautiful, one of the most beautiful of people. Some of the people used to go to the front row to avoid seeing her, and some used to go to the back row so that when they bowed they could see her from beneath their armpits. Then Allah revealed the words: 'To Us are known those of you who hasten forward and those who lag behind."  

كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ تُصَلِّي خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَسْنَاءُ مِنْ أَحْسَنِ النَّاسِ قَالَ فَكَانَ بَعْضُ الْقَوْمِ يَتَقَدَّمُ فِي الصَّفِّ الأَوَّلِ لِئَلاَّ يَرَاهَا وَيَسْتَأْخِرُ بَعْضُهُمْ حَتَّى يَكُونَ فِي الصَّفِّ الْمُؤَخَّرِ فَإِذَا رَكَعَ نَظَرَ مِنْ تَحْتِ إِبْطِهِ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ ﷻ { وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْنَا الْمُسْتَقْدِمِينَ مِنْكُمْ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْنَا الْمُسْتَأْخِرِينَ }  

"May Allah increase you in keenness, but do not do this again."  

أَنَّهُ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ وَالنَّبِيُّ ﷺ رَاكِعٌ فَرَكَعَ دُونَ الصَّفِّ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ زَادَكَ اللَّهُ حِرْصًا وَلاَ تَعُدْ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed one day then left and said: '0 so-and-so, why don't you improve your prayer? Shouldn't the one who is praying reflection how he prays it for himself? I can see behind me just as I can see in front of me."'  

صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَوْمًا ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ فَقَالَ يَا فُلاَنُ أَلاَ تُحَسِّنُ صَلاَتَكَ أَلاَ يَنْظُرُ الْمُصَلِّي كَيْفَ يُصَلِّي لِنَفْسِهِ إِنِّي أُبْصِرُ مِنْ وَرَائِي كَمَا أُبْصِرُ بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ  

It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray two Rak'ahs before Zuhr and two afterward, and he used to pray two Rak'ahs after Maghrib in his house, and two Rak'ahs after 'Isha', and he did not pray after Jumu'ah until he departed (from the Masjid), then he would pray two Rak'ahs at home."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يُصَلِّي قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَبَعْدَهَا رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَكَانَ يُصَلِّي بَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فِي بَيْتِهِ وَبَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَكَانَ لاَ يُصَلِّي بَعْدَ الْجُمُعَةِ حَتَّى يَنْصَرِفَ فَيُصَلِّيَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ  

"We asked 'Ali about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He said: 'Who among you could manage to do that?' We said: 'Even if we cannot do it, we still want to hear about it.' He said: 'When the sun reached the same height (in the east) as it reaches (in the west) at the time of 'Asr, he would pray two rak'ahs, and when the sun reached the same height (in the east) as it reaches (in the west) at the time for Zuhr he would pray four Rak'ahs. He would pray four Rak'ahs before Zuhr and two after, and he would pray four Rak'ahs before 'Asr, separating each two Rak'ahs with Taslim upon the angels who are close to Allah, and the prophets, and those who follow them of the believers and Muslims."'  

عَنْ صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ أَيُّكُمْ يُطِيقُ ذَلِكَ قُلْنَا إِنْ لَمْ نُطِقْهُ سَمِعْنَا قَالَ كَانَ إِذَا كَانَتِ الشَّمْسُ مِنْ هَا هُنَا كَهَيْئَتِهَا مِنْ هَا هُنَا عِنْدَ الْعَصْرِ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَإِذَا كَانَتْ مِنْ هَا هُنَا كَهَيْئَتِهَا مِنْ هَا هُنَا عِنْدَ الظُّهْرِ صَلَّى أَرْبَعًا وَيُصَلِّي قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ أَرْبَعًا وَبَعْدَهَا ثِنْتَيْنِ وَيُصَلِّي قَبْلَ الْعَصْرِ أَرْبَعًا يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَ كُلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ بِتَسْلِيمٍ عَلَى الْمَلاَئِكَةِ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ  

"I asked 'Ali bin Abi Talib about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ during the day before the prescribed prayers. He said: 'Who is able to do that?' Then he told us:'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray two Rak'ahs when the sun had passed its zenith, and four Rak'ahs before the middle of the day, with the Taslim at the end."'  

عَنْ صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي النَّهَارِ قَبْلَ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ قَالَ مَنْ يُطِيقُ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ أَخْبَرَنَا قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي حِينَ تَزِيغُ الشَّمْسُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَقَبْلَ نِصْفِ النَّهَارِ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ يَجْعَلُ التَّسْلِيمَ فِي آخِرِهِ