The Prophet ﷺ said: Stand close together in your rows, bring them near one another, and stand neck to neck, for by Him in Whose hand my soul is, I see the devil coming in through openings in the row just like a small black sheep.  

عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ رُصُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ وَقَارِبُوا بَيْنَهَا وَحَاذُوا بِالأَعْنَاقِ فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ إِنِّي لأَرَى الشَّيْطَانَ يَدْخُلُ مِنْ خَلَلِ الصَّفِّ كَأَنَّهَا الْحَذَفُ  

The Prophet ﷺ said: Complete the front row, then the one that comes next, and if there is any incompleteness, let it be in the last row.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ أَتِمُّوا الصَّفَّ الْمُقَدَّمَ ثُمَّ الَّذِي يَلِيهِ فَمَا كَانَ مِنْ نَقْصٍ فَلْيَكُنْ فِي الصَّفِّ الْمُؤَخَّرِ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Allah and His angels bless those who are on the right flanks of the rows.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلاَئِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى مَيَامِنِ الصُّفُوفِ  

When we prayed behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ we cherished to be on his right side so that his face would turn towards us (at the end of the prayer), and he (the narrator) said: I heard him say: O my Lord! save me from Thy torment on the Day when Thoil, wouldst raise or gather Thy servants.  

كُنَّا إِذَا صَلَّيْنَا خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَحْبَبْنَا أَنْ نَكُونَ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ يُقْبِلُ عَلَيْنَا بِوَجْهِهِ قَالَ فَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ رَبِّ قِنِي عَذَابَكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ أَوْ تَجْمَعُ عِبَادَكَ  

The Prophet ﷺ said: Have the imam in the centre and close up the gaps.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَسِّطُوا الإِمَامَ وَسُدُّوا الْخَلَلَ  

If any Muslim servant (of Allah) prays for the sake of Allah twelve rak'ahs (of Sunan) every day, over and above the obligatory ones, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise, or a house will be built for him in Paradise; and I have not abandoned observing them after (hearing it from the Messenger of Allah). (So said also 'Amr and Nu'man.)  

عَنْ أُمِّ حَبِيبَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ مُسْلِمٍ يُصَلِّي لِلَّهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ ثِنْتَىْ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً تَطَوُّعًا غَيْرَ فَرِيضَةٍ إِلاَّ بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ أَوْ إِلاَّ بُنِيَ لَهُ بَيْتٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ قَالَتْ أُمُّ حَبِيبَةَ فَمَا بَرِحْتُ أُصَلِّيهِنَّ بَعْدُ وَقَالَ عَمْرٌو مَا بَرِحْتُ أُصَلِّيهِنَّ بَعْدُ وَقَالَ النُّعْمَانُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray two rakʿat before the Zuhr prayer and two rakʿat after it. He also used to pray two rakʿat after the Maghrib prayer in his house, and two rakʿat after the ʿIsha' prayer. He never prayed after Jumua prayer till he departed (from the Mosque), and then he would pray two rakʿat at home.  

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

I offered with Messenger of Allah ﷺ a two rakʿat prayer before the Zuhr prayer and two rakʿat after the Zuhr prayer, two rakʿat after Jumua, Maghrib and ʿIsha' prayers.  

صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ رَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الظُّهْرِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ  

The prophet said, "There is a prayer between the two Adhans (Adhan and Iqama), there is a prayer between the two Adhans." And then while saying it the third time he added, "For the one who wants to (pray).  

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بَيْنَ كُلِّ أَذَانَيْنِ صَلاَةٌ بَيْنَ كُلِّ أَذَانَيْنِ صَلاَةٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ لِمَنْ شَاءَ  

The Prophet ﷺ never missed four rakʿat before the Zuhr prayer and two rakʿat before the Fajr prayer.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ لاَ يَدَعُ أَرْبَعًا قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الْغَدَاةِ  

The Prophet ﷺ was never more regular and particular in offering any Nawafil than the two rakʿat (Sunna) of the Fajr prayer.  

لَمْ يَكُنِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَلَى شَىْءٍ مِنَ النَّوَافِلِ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُ تَعَاهُدًا عَلَى رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ  

The two rak'ahs at dawn are better than this world and what it contains.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ رَكْعَتَا الْفَجْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا  

Ziyadah al-Kindi reported on the authority of Bilal that he (Bilal) came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to inform him about the dawn prayer. Aisha kept Bilal engaged in a matter which she asked him till the day was bright and it became fairly light. Bilal then stood up and called him to prayer and called him repeatedly. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not yet come out. When he came out, he led the people in prayer and he (Bilal) informed him that Aisha had kept him engaged in a matter which she asked him till it became fairly light; hence he became late in reaching him (in time). He (Bilal) said: Messenger of Allah, the dawn became fairly bright. He said: If the dawn became brighter than it is now, I would pray them (the two rak'ahs of the sunnah prayer), offer them well and in a more beautiful manner.  

أَنَّهُ حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّهُ أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ لِيُؤْذِنَهُ بِصَلاَةِ الْغَدَاةِ فَشَغَلَتْ عَائِشَةُ ؓ بِلاَلاً بِأَمْرٍ سَأَلَتْهُ عَنْهُ حَتَّى فَضَحَهُ الصُّبْحُ فَأَصْبَحَ جِدًّا قَالَ فَقَامَ بِلاَلٌ فَآذَنَهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ وَتَابَعَ أَذَانَهُ فَلَمْ يَخْرُجْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَلَمَّا خَرَجَ صَلَّى بِالنَّاسِ وَأَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ شَغَلَتْهُ بِأَمْرٍ سَأَلَتْهُ عَنْهُ حَتَّى أَصْبَحَ جِدًّا وَأَنَّهُ أَبْطَأَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْخُرُوجِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ رَكَعْتُ رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّكَ أَصْبَحْتَ جِدًّا قَالَ لَوْ أَصْبَحْتُ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا أَصْبَحْتُ لَرَكَعْتُهُمَا وَأَحْسَنْتُهُمَا وَأَجْمَلْتُهُمَا  

I asked Ibn ʿUmar, "What is your opinion about the two rakʿat before the Fajr (compulsory) prayer, as to prolonging the recitation in them?" He said, "The Prophet ﷺ used to pray at night two rakʿat followed by two and so on, and end the prayer by one rakʿah witr. He used to offer two rakʿat before the Fajr prayer immediately after the Adhan." (Hammad, the sub-narrator said, "That meant (that he prayed) quickly.)"  

قُلْتُ لاِبْنِ عُمَرَ أَرَأَيْتَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ صَلاَةِ الْغَدَاةِ أُطِيلُ فِيهِمَا الْقِرَاءَةَ فَقَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى وَيُوتِرُ بِرَكْعَةٍ وَيُصَلِّي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ صَلاَةِ الْغَدَاةِ وَكَأَنَّ الأَذَانَ بِأُذُنَيْهِ قَالَ حَمَّادٌ أَىْ سُرْعَةً  

"Say: We believed in Allah and what was revealed to us..." verse 136 from Surah Baqara, and in the second of the two: "I believe in Allah and I bear testimony that we are Muslims" (iii. 52).  

أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ فِي الأُولَى مِنْهُمَا { قُولُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْنَا} الآيَةَ الَّتِي فِي الْبَقَرَةِ وَفِي الآخِرَةِ مِنْهُمَا { آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ}  

" Say: We believed in Allah and what was revealed to us" and that which is found in Surah Al-i-'lmran:" Come to that word (creed) which is common between you and us" (iii. 64).  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقْرَأُ فِي رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ { قُولُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْنَا} وَالَّتِي فِي آلِ عِمْرَانَ { تَعَالَوْا إِلَى كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ}  

" Say: O unbelievers," (Qur'an, cix.) and" Say: Allah is one" (cxii.).  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَرَأَ فِي رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ { قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ} وَ { قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ}  

The Prophet ﷺ would recite in the two (supererogatory) rak'ahs of the dawn prayer: "Say, O unbelievers" [Surat al-Kafiroon:1] and "Say: He is Allah, the one" [Surat al-Ikhlas:1]  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَرَأَ فِي رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ { قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ } وَ { قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ }  

“I watched the Prophet ﷺ for a month, and in the two Rak’ah before Fajr he used to recite: “Say: O you disbelievers!” [Al-Kafirun (109)] and “Say: Allah is One.” [Al- Ikhlas (112)]  

رَمَقْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ شَهْرًا فَكَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الْفَجْرِ {قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ} وَ {قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ}  

“Say: ‘O you disbelievers!” [Al-Kafirun (109)] and “Say: Allah is One.” [Al-Ikhlas (112)]  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَرَأَ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الْفَجْرِ {قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ} وَ {قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ}  

"I watched the Messenger of Allah ﷺ- twenty times- reciting in the two rak'ahs after maghrib 'Say: O you disbelievers' and 'Say: He is Allah, (the) One.'"  

رَمَقْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عِشْرِينَ مَرَّةً يَقْرَأُ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَفِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الْفَجْرِ { قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ } وَ { قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ }  

The Prophet ﷺ used to lie down on his right side, after offering two rakʿat (Sunna) of the Fajr prayer.  

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا صَلَّى رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ اضْطَجَعَ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الأَيْمَنِ  

'A'isha reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray eleven rak'ahs at night, observing the Witr with a single rak'ah, and when he had finished them, he lay down on his right side, till the Mu'adhdhin came to him and he (the Holy Prophet) then observed two short rak'ahs (of Sunan of the dawn prayer).  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يُصَلِّي بِاللَّيْلِ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً يُوتِرُ مِنْهَا بِوَاحِدَةٍ فَإِذَا فَرَغَ مِنْهَا اضْطَجَعَ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الأَيْمَنِ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ خَفِيفَتَيْنِ  

'A'isha, the wife of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, said that between the time when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished the 'Isha' prayer which is called 'Atama by the people, he used to pray eleven rak'ahs, uttering the salutation at the end of every two rak'ahs, and observing the Witr with a single one. And when the Mu'adhdhin had finished the call (for the) dawn prayer and he saw the dawn clearly and the Mu'adhdhin had come to him, he stood up and prayed two short rak'ahs. Then he lay down on his right side till the Mu'adhdhin came to him for lqama. (This hadith has been narrated with the same chain of transmitters by Ibn Shihab, but in it no mention has been made of Iqama )  

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي فِيمَا بَيْنَ أَنْ يَفْرُغَ مِنْ صَلاَةِ الْعِشَاءِ وَهِيَ الَّتِي يَدْعُو النَّاسُ الْعَتَمَةَ إِلَى الْفَجْرِ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً يُسَلِّمُ بَيْنَ كُلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَيُوتِرُ بِوَاحِدَةٍ فَإِذَا سَكَتَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ مِنْ صَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ وَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْفَجْرُ وَجَاءَهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ قَامَ فَرَكَعَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ خَفِيفَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الأَيْمَنِ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ لِلإِقَامَةِ وَحَدَّثَنِيهِ حَرْمَلَةُ أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ وَسَاقَ حَرْمَلَةُ الْحَدِيثَ بِمِثْلِهِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَذْكُرْ وَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْفَجْرُ وَجَاءَهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ وَلَمْ يَذْكُرِ الإِقَامَةَ وَسَائِرُ الْحَدِيثِ بِمِثْلِ حَدِيثِ عَمْرٍو سَوَاءً  

"I prayed two Rak'ah with the Prophet (S) before Az-Zuhr and two Rak'ah after it."  

صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ رَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَهَا قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ وَعَائِشَةَ  

The Prophet ﷺ never missed four rakʿat before the Zuhr prayer and two rakʿat before the Fajr prayer.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ لاَ يَدَعُ أَرْبَعًا قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الْغَدَاةِ  

I asked 'A'isha about the Messenger of Allah's ﷺ voluntary prayers, and she replied: Before the noon prayer, he used to pray four rak'ahs in my house; then would go out and lead the people in prayer; then come in and pray two rak'ahs. He would then lead the people in the sunset prayer; then come in and pray two rak'ahs. Then he would lead the people in the 'Isha' prayer, and enter my house and pray two rak'ahs. He would pray nine rak'ahs during the night, including Witr. At night he would pray for a long time standing and for a long time sitting, and when he recited the Holy Qur'an while standing, he would bow and prostrate himself from the standing position, and when he recited while sitting, he would bow and prostrate himself from the sitting position, and when it was dawn he would pray two rak'ahs.  

عَنْ صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ تَطَوُّعِهِ فَقَالَتْ كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِي بَيْتِي قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ أَرْبَعًا ثُمَّ يَخْرُجُ فَيُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ ثُمَّ يَدْخُلُ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَكَانَ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ الْمَغْرِبَ ثُمَّ يَدْخُلُ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَيُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ الْعِشَاءَ وَيَدْخُلُ بَيْتِي فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَكَانَ يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ تِسْعَ رَكَعَاتٍ فِيهِنَّ الْوِتْرُ وَكَانَ يُصَلِّي لَيْلاً طَوِيلاً قَائِمًا وَلَيْلاً طَوِيلاً قَاعِدًا وَكَانَ إِذَا قَرَأَ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ رَكَعَ وَسَجَدَ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ وَإِذَا قَرَأَ قَاعِدًا رَكَعَ وَسَجَدَ وَهُوَ قَاعِدٌ وَكَانَ إِذَا طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ  

The Prophet ﷺ said: If anyone keeps on praying regularly four rak'ahs before and four after the noon prayer, he will not enter the Hell-fire. Abu Dawud said: Al-'Ala' bin Al-Harith and Sulaiman bin Musa reported it from Makhul with his chain, similarly.  

أُمُّ حَبِيبَةَ زَوْجُ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَنْ حَافَظَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ وَأَرْبَعٍ بَعْدَهَا حَرُمَ عَلَى النَّارِ  

"Messenger of Allah would pray four (Rak'ah) after the Zawal of the sun before Az-Zuhr. He said: 'It is an hour in which the gates of the heavens are opened, and I love that a righteous deed should be raised up for me in it.'"  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا بَعْدَ أَنْ تَزُولَ الشَّمْسُ قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ وَقَالَ إِنَّهَا سَاعَةٌ تُفْتَحُ فِيهَا أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَصْعَدَ لِي فِيهَا عَمَلٌ صَالِحٌ قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ وَأَبِي أَيُّوبَ  

"When the Prophet (S) would not perform the four Rak'ah before Az-Zuhr he would pray them after it."  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ إِذَا لَمْ يُصَلِّ أَرْبَعًا قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ صَلاَّهُنَّ بَعْدَهُ  

"Messenger of Allah (S) would pray four Rak'ah before Al-Asr separating between them with At-Taslim upon the angels that are close (to Allah) and those who follow them among the Muslims and the believers."  

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي قَبْلَ الْعَصْرِ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُنَّ بِالتَّسْلِيمِ عَلَى الْمَلاَئِكَةِ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ  

The Prophet ﷺ said: May Allah show mercy to a man who prays four rak'ahs before the afternoon prayer.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ امْرَأً صَلَّى قَبْلَ الْعَصْرِ أَرْبَعًا  

That the Prophet ﷺ used to pray two rak'ahs before the 'Asr prayer.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ يُصَلِّي قَبْلَ الْعَصْرِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ  

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Pray before the Maghrib (compulsory) prayer." He (said it thrice) and in the third time, he said, "Whoever wants to offer it can do so." He said so because he did not like the people to take it as a tradition.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ صَلُّوا قَبْلَ صَلاَةِ الْمَغْرِبِ قَالَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ لِمَنْ شَاءَ كَرَاهِيَةَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهَا النَّاسُ سُنَّةً  

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Perform (an optional) prayer before Maghrib prayer." (He repeated it thrice) and the third time he said, "Whoever wants to offer it can do so," lest the people should take it as a Sunna (tradition). (See Hadith No. 277, Vol. 2)  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ صَلُّوا قَبْلَ صَلاَةِ الْمَغْرِبِ قَالَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ لِمَنْ شَاءَ كَرَاهِيَةَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهَا النَّاسُ سُنَّةً  

I saw the most famous people amongst the companions of the Prophet ﷺ hurrying towards the pillars at the Maghrib prayer before the Prophet ﷺ came for the prayer.  

لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ كِبَارَ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ يَبْتَدِرُونَ السَّوَارِيَ عِنْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَزَادَ شُعْبَةُ عَنْ عَمْرٍو عَنْ أَنَسٍ حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ  

I asked Anas b. Malik about the voluntary prayers after the afternoon prayer, and he replied: 'Umar struck hit hands on prayer observed after the 'Asr prayer and we used to observe two rak'ahs after the sun set before the evening prayer during the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. I said to him: Did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ observe them? He said: He saw us observing them, but he neither commanded us nor forbade us to do so.  

كَانَ عُمَرُ يَضْرِبُ الأَيْدِي عَلَى صَلاَةٍ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ وَكُنَّا نُصَلِّي عَلَى عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ رَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ غُرُوبِ الشَّمْسِ قَبْلَ صَلاَةِ الْمَغْرِبِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَلاَّهُمَا قَالَ كَانَ يَرَانَا نُصَلِّيهِمَا فَلَمْ يَأْمُرْنَا وَلَمْ يَنْهَنَا  

When we were in Medina, the moment the Mu'adhdhin made the call to the sunset prayer, the people hastened to the pillars of the mosque and prayed two rak'ahs with the result that any stranger coming into the mosque would think that the obligatory prayer had been observed owing to the number who were praying then.  

كُنَّا بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَإِذَا أَذَّنَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ لِصَلاَةِ الْمَغْرِبِ ابْتَدَرُوا السَّوَارِيَ فَيَرْكَعُونَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ حَتَّى إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ الْغَرِيبَ لَيَدْخُلُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَيَحْسِبُ أَنَّ الصَّلاَةَ قَدْ صُلِّيَتْ مِنْ كَثْرَةِ مَنْ يُصَلِّيهِمَا  

When any one of you observes the Jumu'a prayer (two obligatory rak'ahs in congregation), he should observe four (rak'ahs) afterwards.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمُ الْجُمُعَةَ فَلْيُصَلِّ بَعْدَهَا أَرْبَعًا  

Salim narrated on the authority of his father that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to observe two rak'ahs after Jumu'a.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ يُصَلِّي بَعْدَ الْجُمُعَةِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ  

The Prophet ﷺ had said, "Offer some of your prayers (Nawafil) at home, and do not take your houses as graves."  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ اجْعَلُوا فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ مِنْ صَلاَتِكُمْ وَلاَ تَتَّخِذُوهَا قُبُورًا  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Offer some of your prayers in your houses and do not make them graves."  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ اجْعَلُوا فى بُيُوتِكُمْ مِنْ صَلاَتِكُمْ وَلاَ تَتَّخِذُوهَا قُبُورًا  

When any one of you observes prayer in the mosque he should reserve a part of his prayer for his house, for Allah would make the prayer as a means of betterment in his house.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا قَضَى أَحَدُكُمُ الصَّلاَةَ فِي مَسْجِدِهِ فَلْيَجْعَلْ لِبَيْتِهِ نَصِيبًا مِنْ صَلاَتِهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ جَاعِلٌ فِي بَيْتِهِ مِنْ صَلاَتِهِ خَيْرًا  

Yes, I observed the Jumuʿa prayer along with him in Maqsura and when the Imam pronounced salutation I stood up at my place and observed (Sunan rakʿahs). As he entered (the apartment) he sent for me and said: Do not repeat what you have done. Whenever you have observed the Jumuʿa prayer, do not observe (Sunan prayer) till you, have talked or gone out, for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had ordered us to do this and not to combine two (types of) prayers without talking or going out.  

عَنْ شَىْءٍ رَآهُ مِنْهُ مُعَاوِيَةُ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَهُ الْجُمُعَةَ فِي الْمَقْصُورَةِ فَلَمَّا سَلَّمَ الإِمَامُ قُمْتُ فِي مَقَامِي فَصَلَّيْتُ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ أَرْسَلَ إِلَىَّ فَقَالَ لاَ تَعُدْ لِمَا فَعَلْتَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ الْجُمُعَةَ فَلاَ تَصِلْهَا بِصَلاَةٍ حَتَّى تَكَلَّمَ أَوْ تَخْرُجَ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَمَرَنَا بِذَلِكَ أَنْ لاَ تُوصَلَ صَلاَةٌ حَتَّى نَتَكَلَّمَ أَوْ نَخْرُجَ  

“Witr is not definite (obligatory) nor is it like your prescribed prayers. But the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed Witr, then he said: ‘O people of the Qur’an! Perform Witr, for Allah is Witr* and He loves the odd (numbered).’” * Meaning 'one' which is the first of the odd numbers; He is unique, and there is nothing like Him, similar or equal.  

عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ إِنَّ الْوِتْرَ لَيْسَ بِحَتْمٍ وَلاَ كَصَلاَتِكُمُ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ وَلَكِنْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَوْتَرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَهْلَ الْقُرْآنِ أَوْتِرُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ وِتْرٌ يُحِبُّ الْوِتْرَ  

"Al-Witr is not incumbent like your obligatory prayers, but it is a Sunnah of Messenger of Allah who said: "Indeed Allah is Witr (One), and He loves Al-Witr, so perform Al-Witr O people of the Qur'an."  

الْوِتْرُ لَيْسَ بِحَتْمٍ كَصَلاَتِكُمُ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ وَلَكِنْ سَنَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وِتْرٌ يُحِبُّ الْوِتْرَ فَأَوْتِرُوا يَا أَهْلَ الْقُرْآنِ قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ وَابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ وَابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ  

“At every part of the night the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed Witr, at the beginning and in the middle, and finally his Witr was just before dawn.”  

مِنْ كُلِّ اللَّيْلِ قَدْ أَوْتَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ أَوَّلِهِ وَأَوْسَطِهِ وَانْتَهَى وِتْرُهُ إِلَى السَّحَرِ  

“I asked ‘Aishah about the Witr of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. She said: ‘He prayed Witr at every part of the night, at the beginning, in the middle and at the end, when he died (he would perform it) just before dawn.’”  

عَنْ وِتْرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ مِنْ كُلِّ اللَّيْلِ قَدْ أَوْتَرَ مِنْ أَوَّلِهِ وَأَوْسَطِهِ وَانْتَهَى وِتْرُهُ حِينَ مَاتَ فِي السَّحَرِ  

'A'isha reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to observe Witr every night, and he would (at times) complete his Witr at the end of the night.  

كُلَّ اللَّيْلِ قَدْ أَوْتَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَانْتَهَى وِتْرُهُ إِلَى آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ  

Masruq reported on the authority of 'A'isha that she said that the Messenger Of Allah ﷺ used to observe the Witr prayer every night, maybe in the early part of night, at midnight and in the latter part, finishing his Witr at dawn.  

مِنْ كُلِّ اللَّيْلِ قَدْ أَوْتَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ أَوَّلِ اللَّيْلِ وَأَوْسَطِهِ وَآخِرِهِ فَانْتَهَى وِتْرُهُ إِلَى السَّحَرِ