I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when he said the opening Takbir of the prayer, raise his hands until they were level with his shoulders. When he said the Takbir before bowing he did likewise, and when he said: 'Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him),' he did likewise, then he said: 'Rabbana wa lakal-hamd (Our Lord, to You be praise).' But he did not do that when he prostrated or when he raised his head from prostration.  

رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا افْتَتَحَ التَّكْبِيرَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حِينَ يُكَبِّرُ حَتَّى يَجْعَلَهُمَا حَذْوَ مَنْكِبَيْهِ وَإِذَا كَبَّرَ لِلرُّكُوعِ فَعَلَ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ إِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ فَعَلَ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ وَقَالَ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَلاَ يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ حِينَ يَسْجُدُ وَلاَ حِينَ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ السُّجُودِ  

"I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, when he stood to pray, raise his hands until they were in level with his shoulders, then he said the takbir. He did that when he said the Takbir before bowing, and he did that when he raised his head from bowing and said: 'Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him).' Bu he did not do that during the prostration."  

رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى تَكُونَا حَذْوَ مَنْكِبَيْهِ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ قَالَ وَكَانَ يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ حِينَ يُكَبِّرُ لِلرُّكُوعِ وَيَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ حِينَ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الرُّكُوعِ وَيَقُولُ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ وَلاَ يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ فِي السُّجُودِ  

that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ started to pray, he would raise his hands in level with his shoulders, and when he bowed and when he raised his head from bowing, he would raise them likewise and say "Sami Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal-hamd (Allah hears those who praise Him, our Lord, to You be praise." And he did not do that when he prostrated.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ إِذَا افْتَتَحَ الصَّلاَةَ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَذْوَ مَنْكِبَيْهِ وَإِذَا رَكَعَ وَإِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الرُّكُوعِ رَفَعَهُمَا كَذَلِكَ وَقَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَكَانَ لاَ يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ فِي السُّجُودِ  

"I prayed behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and when he started to pray he said the Takbir and raised his hands until they were in level with his ears. Then he recited the Opening of the Book, and when he had finished he said 'Amin' and raised his voice with it."  

صَلَّيْتُ خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَلَمَّا افْتَتَحَ الصَّلاَةَ كَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى حَاذَتَا أُذُنَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَقْرَأُ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ مِنْهَا قَالَ آمِينَ يَرْفَعُ بِهَا صَوْتَهُ  

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed he would raise his hands-when he said the Takbir- until they were parallel to his ears, and when he wanted to bow and when he raised his head from bowing.  

عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ الْحُوَيْرِثِ وَكَانَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ إِذَا صَلَّى رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حِينَ يُكَبِّرُ حِيَالَ أُذُنَيْهِ وَإِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ وَإِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الرُّكُوعِ  

"I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, when he started to pray, raise his hands, and when he bowed, and when he raised his head from bowing, until they were parallel with the top of his ears."  

رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ حِينَ دَخَلَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ وَحِينَ رَكَعَ وَحِينَ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الرُّكُوعِ حَتَّى حَاذَتَا فُرُوعَ أُذُنَيْهِ  

He saw the Prophet ﷺ, when he started to pray, raise his hands until his thumbs were almost level with his earlobes.  

أَنَّهُ رَأَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ إِذَا افْتَتَحَ الصَّلاَةَ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى تَكَادَ إِبْهَامَاهُ تُحَاذِي شَحْمَةَ أُذُنَيْهِ  

"There are three things that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to do and the people have abandoned; he used to raise his hands extended when praying, and he would fall silent briefly, and say takbir when he prostrated and when he sat up."  

جَاءَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ إِلَى مَسْجِدِ بَنِي زُرَيْقٍ فَقَالَ ثَلاَثٌ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَعْمَلُ بِهِنَّ تَرَكَهُنَّ النَّاسُ كَانَ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ فِي الصَّلاَةِ مَدًّا وَيَسْكُتُ هُنَيْهَةً وَيُكَبِّرُ إِذَا سَجَدَ وَإِذَا رَفَعَ  

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  

A man stood behind the Prophet of Allah ﷺ and said: "Allahu Akbaru kabira wal-hamdu Lillahi kathira, wa subhan-Allahi bukratan was asila (Allah is Most Great and much praise be to Allah and glorified be Allah at the beginning and end of the day)." The Prophet of Allah ﷺ said: "Who spoke these words?" A man said: "I did, O Prophet of Allah (SWT)." He said: "Twelve angels rushed (to take them up)."  

قَامَ رَجُلٌ خَلْفَ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ كَبِيرًا وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ كَثِيرًا وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلاً فَقَالَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَنْ صَاحِبُ الْكَلِمَةِ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ أَنَا يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ لَقَدِ ابْتَدَرَهَا اثْنَا عَشَرَ مَلَكًا  

"While we were praying with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, a man among the people said: 'Allahu Akbaru kabira, wal-hamdu Lillahi kathira, wa subhan-Allahi bukratan was asila (Allah is Most Great and much praise be to Allah and glorified be Allah at the beginning and end of the day).' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Who is the one who said such and such?' A man among the people said: 'I did, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: ' I like it,' and he said words to the effect that the gates of the Heavens had been opened for it." Ibn Umar said: "I never stopped saying it since I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say that."  

بَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ نُصَلِّي مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ كَبِيرًا وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ كَثِيرًا وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلاً فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَنِ الْقَائِلُ كَلِمَةَ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ أَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ عَجِبْتُ لَهَا وَذَكَرَ كَلِمَةً مَعْنَاهَا فُتِحَتْ لَهَا أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ قَالَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ مَا تَرَكْتُهُ مُنْذُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُهُ  

"Alqamah bin Wa'il told us that his father said: "I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, when he was standing in prayer, holding his left hand with his right.'"  

رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا كَانَ قَائِمًا فِي الصَّلاَةِ قَبَضَ بِيَمِينِهِ عَلَى شِمَالِهِ  

X"I heard Abu Uthman narrate that Ibn Mas'ud said: 'The Prophet ﷺ saw me when I had placed my left hand on my right in prayer. He took hold of my right hand and placed it on my left.'"  

رَآنِي النَّبِيُّ ﷺ وَقَدْ وَضَعْتُ شِمَالِي عَلَى يَمِينِي فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَأَخَذَ بِيَمِينِي فَوَضَعَهَا عَلَى شِمَالِي  

"I said: 'I am going to watch how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prays.' So I watched him and he stood and said the takbir, and raised his hands until they were in the level with his ears, then he placed his right hand over his left hand, wrist and lower forearm. When he wanted to bow he raised his hands likewise. Then he prostrated and placed his hands in level with his ears. Then he sat up and placed his left leg under him; he put his left hand on his left thigh and knee, and he put the edge of his right elbow on his right thigh, then he held two of his fingers together and made a circle, and raised his forefinger, and I saw him moving it and supplicating with it."  

أَخْبَرَهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأَنْظُرَنَّ إِلَى صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَيْفَ يُصَلِّي فَنَظَرْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَامَ فَكَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى حَاذَتَا بِأُذُنَيْهِ ثُمَّ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى كَفِّهِ الْيُسْرَى وَالرُّسْغِ وَالسَّاعِدِ فَلَمَّا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ مِثْلَهَا قَالَ وَوَضَعَ يَدَيْهِ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْهِ ثُمَّ لَمَّا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ مِثْلَهَا ثُمَّ سَجَدَ فَجَعَلَ كَفَّيْهِ بِحِذَاءِ أُذُنَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَعَدَ وَافْتَرَشَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَوَضَعَ كَفَّهُ الْيُسْرَى عَلَى فَخِذِهِ وَرُكْبَتِهِ الْيُسْرَى وَجَعَلَ حَدَّ مِرْفَقِهِ الأَيْمَنِ عَلَى فَخِذِهِ الْيُمْنَى ثُمَّ قَبَضَ اثْنَتَيْنِ مِنْ أَصَابِعِهِ وَحَلَّقَ حَلْقَةً ثُمَّ رَفَعَ إِصْبَعَهُ فَرَأَيْتُهُ يُحَرِّكُهَا يَدْعُو بِهَا  

The Prophet ﷺ forbade praying with one's hands on one's waist.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ نَهَى أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ الرَّجُلُ مُخْتَصِرًا  

"I prayed beside Ibn Umar and put my hand on my waist, and he did this to me-knocked it with his hand. When I had finished praying I said to a man: 'Who is this?' He said: "Abdullah bin Umar.' I said: 'O Abu Abdur-Rahman, why are you angry with me?' He said: 'This is the posture of crucifixion, and the Mesenger of Allah ﷺ forbade us to do this.'"  

لِي هَكَذَا ضَرْبَةً بِيَدِهِ فَلَمَّا صَلَّيْتُ قُلْتُ لِرَجُلٍ مَنْ هَذَا قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ قُلْتُ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ مَا رَابَكَ مِنِّي قَالَ إِنَّ هَذَا الصَّلْبُ وَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ نَهَانَا عَنْهُ  

Abdullah saw a man who was praying with his feet together. He said: "He is going against the Sunnah; if he shifted his weight from one to the other that would be better."  

أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ رَأَى رَجُلاً يُصَلِّي قَدْ صَفَّ بَيْنَ قَدَمَيْهِ فَقَالَ خَالَفَ السُّنَّةَ وَلَوْ رَاوَحَ بَيْنَهُمَا كَانَ أَفْضَلَ  

He saw a man praying with his feet together. He said: "He is not following the Sunnah. If he were to shift his weight from one to the other I would like that better."  

أَنَّهُ رَأَى رَجُلاً يُصَلِّي قَدْ صَفَّ بَيْنَ قَدَمَيْهِ فَقَالَ أَخْطَأَ السُّنَّةَ وَلَوْ رَاوَحَ بَيْنَهُمَا كَانَ أَعْجَبَ إِلَىَّ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pause briefly when he had started to pray.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَتْ لَهُ سَكْتَةٌ إِذَا افْتَتَحَ الصَّلاَةَ  

"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ started to pray he would pause briefly. I said: 'May my father and mother be ransomed for you, O Messenger of Allah, what do you say when you pause briefly between the takbir and reciation?' He said: 'I say: Allahuma ba'id bayni wa bayna khatayaya kama ba'adta bayna al-mashriqi wal-maghrib; Allahumma naqqini min khatayaya kama yunaqqa ath-thawb al-abyad min ad-danas; Allahumma ighsilni min khatayaya bil ma'i wa ath-thalji wal-barad. (O Allah, put a great distance between me and my sins, as great as the distance You have made between the East and the West; O Allah, cleanse me of my sins as a white garment is cleansed from filth; O Allah, wash away my sins with water and snow and hail).'"  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا افْتَتَحَ الصَّلاَةَ سَكَتَ هُنَيْهَةً فَقُلْتُ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا تَقُولُ فِي سُكُوتِكَ بَيْنَ التَّكْبِيرِ وَالْقِرَاءَةِ قَالَ أَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ بَاعِدْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَاىَ كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ اللَّهُمَّ نَقِّنِي مِنْ خَطَايَاىَ كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ اللَّهُمَّ اغْسِلْنِي مِنْ خَطَايَاىَ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ  

"When the Prophet ﷺ started to pray, he would say the takbir, then say: 'Inna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati lillahi rabbil-alamin, la sharika lahu, wa bidhalika umirtu wa ana min al-muslimin. Allahummahdini liahsanil-amali wa ahsanil-akhlaqi la yahdi li ahsaniha illa anta wa qini sayy'al-a'mali wa sayy'al-ahaqi la yaqi sayy'aha illa ant. (Indeed my salah (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of all that exists. He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am one of the Muslims. O Allah, guide me to the best of deeds and the best of manners, for none can guide to the best of them but You. And protect me from bad deeds and bad manners, for none can protect against them but You.) "  

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا اسْتَفْتَحَ الصَّلاَةَ كَبَّرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ صَلاَتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي لأَحْسَنِ الأَعْمَالِ وَأَحْسَنِ الأَخْلاَقِ لاَ يَهْدِي لأَحْسَنِهَا إِلاَّ أَنْتَ وَقِنِي سَيِّئَ الأَعْمَالِ وَسَيِّئَ الأَخْلاَقِ لاَ يَقِي سَيِّئَهَا إِلاَّ أَنْتَ  

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ started to pray, he would say Takbir, then say: "Wajahtu wajhi lilladhi fataras-samawatiwal-arda hanifan wa ma ana minal-mushrikin. Inna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati lillahi rabbil-alamin, la sharika lahu, wa bidhalika umirtu wa ana min al-muslimin. Allahumma! Antal-maliku la ilaha illa ant, ana abduka zalamtu nafsi wa'taraftu bidhanbi faghfirli dhunubi jami'an, la yaghfirudhunuba illa anta, wahdini lihasanil-ahklaqi, la yahdi li ahsaniha illa anta wasrif anni sayy'aha la yasrifu anni sayy'aha illa anta, labaika wa sa'daika, wal-khairu kulluhu fi yadaika wash-sharru laisa ilaika ana bika wa ilaika ana bika wa ilaika tabarkta wa ta'alaita astaghfiruka wa atubu ilaik. (Verily, I have turned my face toward Him who created the Heavens and the Earth hanifa (worhsipping none but Allah Alone), and I am not of the idolaters. Verily, my salah, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the all that exists. He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am one of the Muslims. O Allah, You are the Sovereign and there is none worthy of worship but You. I am Your slave, I have wronged myself and I acknowledge my sin. Forgive me all my sins for no one forgives sins but You. Guide me to the best of manners for none can guide to the best of them but You. Protect me from bad manners for none can protect against them but You. I am at Your service, all goodness is in Your hands, and evil is not attributed to You. I rely on You and turn to You, blessed and exalted are You, I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ إِذَا اسْتَفْتَحَ الصَّلاَةَ كَبَّرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ إِنَّ صَلاَتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الْمَلِكُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ أَنَا عَبْدُكَ ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي وَاعْتَرَفْتُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي جَمِيعًا لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ وَاهْدِنِي لأَحْسَنِ الأَخْلاَقِ لاَ يَهْدِي لأَحْسَنِهَا إِلاَّ أَنْتَ وَاصْرِفْ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا لاَ يَصْرِفُ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا إِلاَّ أَنْتَ لَبَّيْكَ وَسَعْدَيْكَ وَالْخَيْرُ كُلُّهُ فِي يَدَيْكَ وَالشَّرُّ لَيْسَ إِلَيْكَ أَنَا بِكَ وَإِلَيْكَ تَبَارَكْتَ وَتَعَالَيْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ  

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood to offer a voluntary prayer he would say: " Allahu Akbar Wajahtu wajhi lilladhi fataras-samawatiwal-arda hanifan musliman wa ma ana minal-mushrikin. Inna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati lillahi rabbil-alamin, la sharika lahu, wa bidhalika umirtu wa ana awwalul-muslimin. Allahumma antal-maliku la ilaha illa anta subhanaka wa bihamdik (Allah is Most Great. Verily, I have turned my face toward Him who created the Heavens and the Earth hanifa (worhsipping none but Allah Alone), as a Muslim, and I am not of the idolaters. Verily, my Salah, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the all that exists. He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims. O Allah, You are the Sovereign and there is none worthy of worship but You, glory and praise be to You.)" Then he would recite.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ إِذَا قَامَ يُصَلِّي تَطَوُّعًا قَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا مُسْلِمًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ إِنَّ صَلاَتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الْمَلِكُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ وَبِحَمْدِكَ ثُمَّ يَقْرَأُ  

When the Prophet ﷺ started to pray he would say: "Subhanakallahumma, wa bihamdika tabarakasmuka wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk (Glory and praise be to You, O Allah. Blessed be Your name and exalted be Your majesty, there is none worthy of worship except You.)"  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ إِذَا افْتَتَحَ الصَّلاَةَ قَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ تَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ  

"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ started to pray, he would say: 'Subhanakallahumma, wa bihamdika tabarakasmuka wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk (Glory and praise be to You, O Allah. Blessed be Your name and exalted be Your majesty, there is none worthy of worship except You.)"  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا افْتَتَحَ الصَّلاَةَ قَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was leading us in prayer when a man came and entered the masjid, and he was out of breath. He said: 'Allahu Akbar, al-hamdulillahi hamdan kathiran tayiban mubarakan fih. (Allah is Most Great, praise be to Allah, much good and blessed praise.)' When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had finished his prayer he said: 'Which of you is the one who spoke these words?' The people kept quiet. He said: 'He did not say anything bad.' The man said: 'I did, O Messenger of Allah. I came and I was out of breath, and I said it.' The Prophet ﷺ said: 'I saw twelve angels rushing to see which of them would take it up.'"  

أَنَّهُ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي بِنَا إِذْ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ فَدَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ وَقَدْ حَفَزَهُ النَّفَسُ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَلاَتَهُ قَالَ أَيُّكُمُ الَّذِي تَكَلَّمَ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَرَمَّ الْقَوْمُ قَالَ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَقُلْ بَأْسًا قَالَ أَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ جِئْتُ وَقَدْ حَفَزَنِي النَّفَسُ فَقُلْتُهَا قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ اثْنَىْ عَشَرَ مَلَكًا يَبْتَدِرُونَهَا أَيُّهُمْ يَرْفَعُهَا  

The Prophet ﷺ, Abu Bakr, and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, would start their recitation with: "All the praise and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of all that exists.  

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ ؓ يَسْتَفْتِحُونَ الْقِرَاءَةَ بِ { الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ }  

"I prayed with the Prophet ﷺ and with Abu Bakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, and they started with "All the praise and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of all that exists."  

صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَمَعَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ ؓ فَافْتَتَحُوا بِ { الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ }  

"One day when he-the Prophet ﷺ- was still among us, he took a nap, then he raised his head, smiling. We said to him: 'Why are you smiling, O Messenger of Allah?' He said: 'Just now this Surah was revealed to me: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Verily, We have granted you (O Muahmmad) Al-Kawthar. Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only). For he who hates you, he will be cut off.' Then he said: 'Do you know what Al-Kawthar is?' We said: 'Allah and His Messenger know best.' He said: 'It is a river that my Lord has promised me in Paradise. Its vessels are more than the number of the stars. My Ummah will come to me, then a man among them will be pulled away and I will say: "O Lord, he is one of my Ummah" and He will say to me: 'You do not know what he did after you were gone."  

بَيْنَمَا ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِنَا يُرِيدُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ إِذْ أَغْفَى إِغْفَاءَةً ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مُتَبَسِّمًا فَقُلْنَا لَهُ مَا أَضْحَكَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ نَزَلَتْ عَلَىَّ آنِفًا سُورَةُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ { إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ * فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ * إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الأَبْتَرُ } ثُمَّ قَالَ هَلْ تَدْرُونَ مَا الْكَوْثَرُ قُلْنَا اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ قَالَ فَإِنَّهُ نَهْرٌ وَعَدَنِيهِ رَبِّي فِي الْجَنَّةِ آنِيَتُهُ أَكْثَرُ مِنْ عَدَدِ الْكَوَاكِبِ تَرِدُهُ عَلَىَّ أُمَّتِي فَيُخْتَلَجُ الْعَبْدُ مِنْهُمْ فَأَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ إِنَّهُ مِنْ أُمَّتِي فَيَقُولُ لِي إِنَّكَ لاَ تَدْرِي مَا أَحْدَثَ بَعْدَكَ  

"I prayed behind Abu Hurairah and he recited: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, then he recited Umm Al-Qur'an (Al Fatihah), and when he reached: not (the way) of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray, he said: 'Amin and the people said 'Amin. And every time he prostrated he said: 'Allahu Akbar and when he stood up from sitting after two Rak'ahs he said: 'Allahu Akbar'. And after he had said the Salam he said: 'By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! My prayer most closely remembers the prayer of the Messenger of Allah.'"  

صَلَّيْتُ وَرَاءَ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ فَقَرَأَ { بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ } الرَّحِيمِ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَ { غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ } فَقَالَ آمِينَ فَقَالَ النَّاسُ آمِينَ وَيَقُولُ كُلَّمَا سَجَدَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَإِذَا قَامَ مِنَ الْجُلُوسِ فِي الاِثْنَيْنِ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَإِذَا سَلَّمَ قَالَ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ إِنِّي لأَشْبَهُكُمْ صَلاَةً بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ led us in prayer, and we did not hear him recite: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. And Abu Bakr and Umar led us in prayer and we did not hear it from them either."  

صَلَّى بِنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَلَمْ يُسْمِعْنَا قِرَاءَةَ { بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ } وَصَلَّى بِنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ فَلَمْ نَسْمَعْهَا مِنْهُمَا  

"I prayed behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman, may Allah be pleased with them, and I did not hear any of them say out loud: In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful."  

صَلَّيْتُ خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَأَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ وَعُثْمَانَ ؓ فَلَمْ أَسْمَعْ أَحَدًا مِنْهُمْ يَجْهَرُ بِ { بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ }  

"If Abdullah bin Mughaffal heard any one of us recite: 'In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful', he would say: 'I prayed behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and behind Abu Bakr and behind Umar-may Allah be pleased with them both- and I did not hear any of them recite: 'In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful."  

سَمِعَ أَحَدَنَا يَقْرَأُ { بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ } يَقُولُ صَلَّيْتُ خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَخَلْفَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَخَلْفَ عُمَرَ ؓ فَمَا سَمِعْتُ أَحَدًا مِنْهُمْ قَرَأَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ  

"I heard Abu Hurairah say: 'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Whoever offers a prayer in which he does not recite Umm Al-Quran (Al Fatihah), it is deficient, it is deficient, it is deficient, incomplete." I (Abu As-Sa'ib) said: 'O Abu Hurairah, sometimes I am behind the Imam.' He poked me in the arm and said: 'Recite it to yourself, O Persian! For I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: "Allah says: "I have divided prayer between Myself and My slave into two halves, and My slave shall have what he has asked for.'" The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Recite, for when the slave says: All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of all that exists, Allah says: 'My slave has praised Me.' And when he says: The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Allah says: 'My slave has extolled Me.' And when he says: The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection), Allah says: 'My slave has glorified Me' . And when he says: You (alone) we worship, and You (alone) we ask for help (for each and everything), He says: 'This is between Me and My slave, and My slave shall have what he has asked for.' And when he says: 'Guide us to the straight way, the way of those on whom You have bestowed Your grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray, He says: 'This is for My slave, and My slave shall have what he asked for.'"  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَنْ صَلَّى صَلاَةً لَمْ يَقْرَأْ فِيهَا بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ فَهِيَ خِدَاجٌ هِيَ خِدَاجٌ هِيَ خِدَاجٌ غَيْرُ تَمَامٍ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ إِنِّي أَحْيَانًا أَكُونُ وَرَاءَ الإِمَامِ فَغَمَزَ ذِرَاعِي وَقَالَ اقْرَأْ بِهَا يَا فَارِسِيُّ فِي نَفْسِكَ فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ ﷻ قَسَمْتُ الصَّلاَةَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِي نِصْفَيْنِ فَنِصْفُهَا لِي وَنِصْفُهَا لِعَبْدِي وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ اقْرَءُوا يَقُولُ الْعَبْدُ { الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ } يَقُولُ اللَّهُ ﷻ حَمِدَنِي عَبْدِي يَقُولُ الْعَبْدُ { الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ } يَقُولُ اللَّهُ ﷻ أَثْنَى عَلَىَّ عَبْدِي يَقُولُ الْعَبْدُ { مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ } يَقُولُ اللَّهُ ﷻ مَجَّدَنِي عَبْدِي يَقُولُ الْعَبْدُ { إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ } فَهَذِهِ الآيَةُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِي وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ يَقُولُ الْعَبْدُ { اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ * صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ } فَهَؤُلاَءِ لِعَبْدِي وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ  

The Prophet ﷺ said: "There is no Salah for one who does not recite Fatihatil-Kitab."  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ لاَ صَلاَةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "There is no Salah for one who does not recite Fatihatil-Kitab or more.'"  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لاَ صَلاَةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ فَصَاعِدًا  

"When Jibril was with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he heard a sound from above like a door opening. Jibril, peace be upon him, looked up toward the sky and said: 'This is a gate in Heaven that has been opened, but it was never opened before." He said: "An Angel came down from it and came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: 'Receive the glad tidings of two lights that have been given to you and were never given to any prophet before you: The Opening of the Book (Al-Fatihah) and the last verses of Surat Al-Baqarah. You will never recite a single letter of them but you will be granted it.'"  

بَيْنَمَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَعِنْدَهُ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ إِذْ سَمِعَ نَقِيضًا فَوْقَهُ فَرَفَعَ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ بَصَرَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَقَالَ هَذَا بَابٌ قَدْ فُتِحَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَا فُتِحَ قَطُّ قَالَ فَنَزَلَ مِنْهُ مَلَكٌ فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ أَبْشِرْ بِنُورَيْنِ أُوتِيتَهُمَا لَمْ يُؤْتَهُمَا نَبِيٌّ قَبْلَكَ فَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ وَخَوَاتِيمِ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ لَمْ تَقْرَأْ حَرْفًا مِنْهُمَا إِلاَّ أُعْطِيتَهُ  

The Prophet ﷺ passed by him when he was praying, and called him. He said: "I finished praying, then I came to him, and he said: 'What kept you from answering me?' He said: 'I was praying.' He said: 'Does not Allah say: O you who believe! Answer Allah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life? Shall I not teach you the greatest surah before I leave the masjid?' Then he went to leave, and I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what about what you said?' He said: "All praise and thanks be to Allah, Lord of all that exists. These are the seven oft-recited that I have been given, and the Grand Quran.'"  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ مَرَّ بِهِ وَهُوَ يُصَلِّي فَدَعَاهُ قَالَ فَصَلَّيْتُ ثُمَّ أَتَيْتُهُ فَقَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تُجِيبَنِي قَالَ كُنْتُ أُصَلِّي قَالَ أَلَمْ يَقُلِ اللَّهُ ﷻ { يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ } أَلاَ أُعَلِّمُكَ أَعْظَمَ سُورَةٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ أَخْرُجَ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ قَالَ فَذَهَبَ لِيَخْرُجَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَوْلَكَ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ هِيَ السَّبْعُ الْمَثَانِي الَّذِي أُوتِيتُ وَالْقُرْآنُ الْعَظِيمُ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, did not reveal in the Tawrah or the Injil anything like Umm Al-Quran (Al-Fatihah), which is the seven oft-recited, and (Allah said) it is divided between Myself and My slave will have what he asked for.'"  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ ﷻ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَلاَ فِي الإِنْجِيلِ مِثْلَ أُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ وَهِيَ السَّبْعُ الْمَثَانِي وَهِيَ مَقْسُومَةٌ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِي وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ  

"The Prophet ﷺ was given seven oft-recited; the seven long ones."  

أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ سَبْعًا مِنَ الْمَثَانِي السَّبْعَ الطُّوَلَ  

Concerning the words of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime: "Seven of Al-Mathani (seven repeatedly-recited): "The seven long ones."  

فِي قَوْلِهِ ﷻ { سَبْعًا مِنَ الْمَثَانِي } قَالَ السَّبْعُ الطُّوَلُ  

"The Prophet ﷺ prayed Zuhr and a man behind him recited: Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High. When he had finished praying, he said: 'Who recited: Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High?" A man said: 'I did.' He said: 'I realized that some of you were disputing with me over it'".  

صَلَّى النَّبِيُّ ﷺ الظُّهْرَ فَقَرَأَ رَجُلٌ خَلْفَهُ { سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى } فَلَمَّا صَلَّى قَالَ مَنْ قَرَأَ { سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى } قَالَ رَجُلٌ أَنَا قَالَ قَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ بَعْضَكُمْ قَدْ خَالَجَنِيهَا  

The Prophet ﷺ prayed Zuhr or Asr, and a man was reciting behind him. When he had finished he said: "Which one of you recited: Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High?" A man among the people said: "I did, but I did not intend anything but good." The Prophet ﷺ said: "I realized that some of you were disputing with me over it."  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ صَلَّى صَلاَةَ الظُّهْرِ أَوِ الْعَصْرِ وَرَجُلٌ يَقْرَأُ خَلْفَهُ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ أَيُّكُمْ قَرَأَ بِ { سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى } فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ أَنَا وَلَمْ أُرِدْ بِهَا إِلاَّ الْخَيْرَ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ قَدْ عَرَفْتُ أَنَّ بَعْضَكُمْ قَدْ خَالَجَنِيهَا  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished a prayer in which he recited out loud, then he said: 'Did any one of you recite with me just now?' A man said: 'Yes, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'I was wondering what was distracting me in reciting Quran.'" So the people stopped reciting in prayers in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ recited out loud when they heard that.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ انْصَرَفَ مِنْ صَلاَةٍ جَهَرَ فِيهَا بِالْقِرَاءَةِ فَقَالَ هَلْ قَرَأَ مَعِي أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ آنِفًا قَالَ رَجُلٌ نَعَمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِنِّي أَقُولُ مَا لِي أُنَازَعُ الْقُرْآنَ قَالَ فَانْتَهَى النَّاسُ عَنِ الْقِرَاءَةِ فِيمَا جَهَرَ فِيهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِالْقِرَاءَةِ مِنَ الصَّلاَةِ حِينَ سَمِعُوا ذَلِكَ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ led us in one of the prayers in which the recitation is done out loud, and he said: 'None of you should recite when I recite out loud, apart from the Umm Al_quran (Al Fatihah).'"  

صَلَّى بِنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَعْضَ الصَّلَوَاتِ الَّتِي يُجْهَرُ فِيهَا بِالْقِرَاءَةِ فَقَالَ لاَ يَقْرَأَنَّ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ إِذَا جَهَرْتُ بِالْقِرَاءَةِ إِلاَّ بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'The Imam is appointed to be followed, so when he says the takbir, say the takbir, and when he recites, be silent, and when he says: "Sami' Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him)," say: "Allahumma rabbana lakal-hamd (Our Lord, to You be praise)."  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ فَكَبِّرُوا وَإِذَا قَرَأَ فَأَنْصِتُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ فَقُولُوا اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'The Imam is appointed to be followed, so when he says the takbir, say the takbir, and when he recites, be silent.'"  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنَّمَا الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ فَكَبِّرُوا وَإِذَا قَرَأَ فَأَنْصِتُوا قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ كَانَ الْمُخَرِّمِيُّ يَقُولُ هُوَ ثِقَةٌ يَعْنِي مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ سَعْدٍ الأَنْصَارِيَّ  

He heard Abu Ad-Darda say: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked: 'Is there recitation in every prayer?' He said: 'Yes.' A man among the Ansar said: 'Is that obligatory?' He (Abu Ad-Darda) turned to me (Kathir), as I was closest of the people to him, and said: 'I think that if the Imam leads the people, that is sufficient for them.'"  

عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ سَمِعَهُ يَقُولُ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَفِي كُلِّ صَلاَةٍ قِرَاءَةٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ وَجَبَتْ هَذِهِ فَالْتَفَتَ إِلَىَّ وَكُنْتُ أَقْرَبَ الْقَوْمِ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ مَا أَرَى الإِمَامَ إِذَا أَمَّ الْقَوْمَ إِلاَّ قَدْ كَفَاهُمْ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ هَذَا عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ خَطَأٌ إِنَّمَا هُوَ قَوْلُ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ وَلَمْ يُقْرَأْ هَذَا مَعَ الْكِتَابِ  

"A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: 'I cannot learn anything of the Quran; teach me something that I can say instead of reciting the Quran.' He said: 'Say: SubhanAllah, wal-hamdulilah, wa la illaha ill-Allah, wa Allahu Akbar, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa Billahil-aliy al-azim (Glory be to Allah, praise be to Allah, there is none worthy of worship except Allah, Allah is Most Great, and there is no power and no strength except with Allah the Exalted and Magnificent ).'"  

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ إِنِّي لاَ أَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ آخُذَ شَيْئًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ فَعَلِّمْنِي شَيْئًا يُجْزِئْنِي مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ فَقَالَ قُلْ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'When the reciter says Amin, then say: "Amin" too, for the angels say Amin and if a person's Amin coincides with the Amin of the angels, Allah will forgive his previous sins"  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَمَّنَ الْقَارِئُ فَأَمِّنُوا فَإِنَّ الْمَلاَئِكَةَ تُؤَمِّنُ فَمَنْ وَافَقَ تَأْمِينُهُ تَأْمِينَ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ