KITAB AL-SALAT
(THE BOOK OF PRAYERS)
--Continued--

Mu'awiya b. al-Hakam said: While I was praying with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), a man in the company sneezed. I said: Allah have mercy on you ! The people stared at me with disapproving looks, so I said: Woe be upon me, why is it that you stare at me ? They began to strike their hands on their thighs, and when I saw them urging me to observe silence (I became angry) but I said nothing. When the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had said the prayer (and I declare that neither before him nor after him have I seen a leader who gave better instruction than he for whom I would give my father and mother as ransom).I swear that he did not scold, beat or revile me but said: Talking to persons is not fitting during the prayer, for it consists of glorifying Allah, declaring his Greatness. and recitation of the Qur'an or words to that effect. I said: Messenger of Allah. I was till recently a pagan, but Allah has brought Islam to us; among us there are men who have recourse to Kahins. He said, Do not have recourse to them. I said. There are men who take omens. That is something which they find in their breasts, but let it not turn their way (from freedom of action).I said: Among us there are men who draw lines. He said: There was a prophet who drew lines, so if they do it as they did, that is allowable.I had a maid-servant who tended goats by the side of Uhud and Jawwaniya. One day I happened to pass that way and found that a wolf had carried a goat from her flock. I am after all a man from the posterity of Adam. I felt sorry as they (human beings) feel sorry. So I slapped her. I came to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and felt (this act of mine) as something grievous I said: Messenger of Allah, should I not grant her freedom? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Bring her to me. So I brought her to him. He said to her: Where is Allah? She said: He is in the heaven. He said: Who am I? She said: Thou art the Messenger of Allah. He said: Grant her freedom, she is a believing woman.

This hadith has been narrated by Yahya b. Abu Kathir with the same chain of transmitters.

Abdullah (b. Masu'd) reported: We used to greet the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) while he was engaged in prayer and he would respond to our greeting. But when we returned from the Negus we greeted him and he did not respond to us; so we said: Messenger of Allah. we used to greet you when you were engaged in prayer and you would respond to us. He replied: Prayer demands whole attention.

This hadith has been reported by A'mash with the same chain of transmitters.

Zaid b. Arqam reported: We used to talk while engaged in prayer and a person talked with a companion on his side in prayer till (this verse) was revealed: "And stand before Allah in devout obedience" (ii, 238) andwe were commanded to observe silence (in prayer) and were forbidden to speak.

A hadith like this has been transmitted by Isma'il b. Abu Khalid.

Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sent me on an errand. I (having done the business assigned to me came back and) joined him as he was going (on a ride). Qutaiba said that he was saying prayer while he rode. I greeted him. He gestured to me. When he completed the prayer. he called me and said: You greeted me just now while I was engaged in prayer. (Qutaiba said) : His (Prophet's face) was towards the east, as he was praying.

Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sent me (on an errand) while he was going to Banu Mustaliq. I came to him and he was engaged in prayer on the back of his camel. I talked to him and he gestured to me With his hand, and Zuhair gestured with his hand. I then again talked and he again (gestured to me with his hand). Zuhair pointed with his hand towards the ground. I heard him (the Holy Prophet) reciting the Qur'an and making a sign with his head. When he com- pleted the prayer he sa'id: What have you done (with regard to that business) for which I sent you? I could not talk with you but for the fact that I was engaged in prayer. Zuhair told that Abu Zubair was sitting with his face turned towards Qibla (as he transmitted this hadith). Abu Zuhair pointed towards Banu Mustaliq with his hand and the direction to which he pointed with his hand was not towards the Ka'ba.

Jabir reported: We were in the company of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), and he sent me on an errand, and when I came back (I saw him) saying prayer on his ride and his face was not turned towards Qibla. I greeted him but he did not respond to me. As he completed the prayer, he said : Nothing prevented me from responding to your greeting but the fact that I was praying.

This hadith that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sent Jabir on an errand has been reported by him through another chain of transmitters.

Abu Huraira reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saying: A highly wicked one amongst the Jinn escaped yesternight to interrupt my prayer, but Allah gave me power over him, so I seized him and intended to tie him to one of the pillars of the mosque in order that you, all together or all, might look at him, but I remembered the supplication of my brother Sulaiman: "My Lord, forgive me, give me such a kingdom as will not be possible for anyone after me" (Qur'an, xxxvii. 35).

This hadith has been transmitted by Ibn Abi Shaiba.

Abu Darda' reported : Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) stood up (to pray) and we heard him say: "I seek refuge in Allah from thee." Then said: " curse thee with Allah's curse" three times, then he stretched out his hand as though he was taking hold of something. When he finished the prayer, we said: Messenger of Allah, we heard you say something during the prayer which we have not heard you say before, and we saw you stretch out your hand. He replied : Allah's enemy Iblis came with a flame of fire to put it in my face, so I said three times: "I Seek refuge in Allah from thee." Then I said three times: "I curse thee with Allah's full curse." But he did not retreat (on any one of these) three occasions. Thereafter I meant to seize him. I swear by Allah that had it not been for the supplication of my brother Sulaiman he would have been bound, and made an object of sport for the children of Medina.

Abu Qatadi reported: I saw the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saying the prayer while he was carrying Umama, daughter of Zainab, daughter of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). and Abu'l-'As b. al-Rabi'. When he stood up, he took her up and when he prostrated he put her down,Yahya said: Malik replied in the affirmative.

Abu Qatada al-Ansari reported: I saw the Apostle (may peace be upon him) leading the people in prayer with Umima, daughter of Abu'l-'As and Zainab, daughter of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him), on his shoulder. When he bowed, he put her down, and when he got up after prostration, he lifted her again.

Abu Qatada reported: I saw the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) leading the people in prayer with Umama daughter of Abu'l-'As on his neck; and when he prostrated he put her down.

Abu Qatada reported : As we were sitting in the mosque, the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) came to us, and the rest of the hadith is the same except that he made no mention that he led people in this prayer.

Abu Hazim is reported on the authority of his father: Some people came to Sahl b. Sa'd and began to differ about the wood of which the (Prophet's pulpit was made. He (Sahl b. Sa'd) said: By Allah, I know of which wood it is made and who made it, and the day when I saw the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) seated himself on it on the first day. I said to him: O Abu Abbas (kunyah of Sabl b. Sa'd), narrate to us (all these facts), He said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sent a person to a woman asking her to allow her slave, a carpenter, to work on woods (to prepare a pulpit) so that I should talk to the people (sitting on it). Abu Hazim said: He (Sahl b. Sa'd) pointed out the name of (that lady) that day. So he (the carpenter) made (a pulpit) with these three steps. Then the Messengerof Allah (may peace be upon him) commanded it to be placed here (where it is lying now). It was fashioned out of the wood of al-Ghaba. And I saw the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) standing upon it and glorifying Allah and the people also glorified Allah after him, while he was on the pulpit. He then raised (his head from prostration) and stepped back (on his heels) till he prostrated himself at the base of pulpit, and then returned (to the former place and this movement of one or two steps continued) till the prayer was complete. He then turned towards the people and said: O people, I have done it so that you should follow me and learn (my mode of) prayer.

Abu Hazim reported: They (the people) came to Sahl b. Sa'd and they asked him of what thing the pulpit of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) was made, and the rest of the hadith is the same.

Abu Huraira reported from the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) that he forbade keeping one's hand on one's waist while praying, and in the narration of Abu Bakr (the words are): The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade to do so.

Mu'aiqib quoted the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) mentioning the removal of pebbles from the ground where he prostrated himself. He (the Prophet) said: It you must do so, do it only once.

Mu'aiqib said: They asked the Apostle (may peace be upon him) about the removal of (pebbles) in prayer, whereupon he said: If you do it, do it only once.

Abdullah b. Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saw spittle on the wall towards Qibla, and scratched it away and then turning to the people said: When any one of you prays, he must not spit in front of him, for Allah is in front of him when he is engaged in prayer.

Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saw sputum sticking to the Qibla wall of the mosque, the rest of the hadith is the same.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) saw sputum sticking to the Qibla of the mosque. He scratched it off with a pebble and then forbade spitting on the right side or in front, but (it is permissible) to spit on the left side or under the left foot.

Abu Huraira and Abu Sa'id narrated that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saw sputum, and the rest of the hadith is the same.

'A'isha reported: The Apostle of Allah (may, peace be upon him) saw spittle or snot or sputum, sticking to the wall towards Qibla and scratched it off.

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saw some sputum in the direction of the Qibla of the mosque. He turned towards people and said : How Is it that someone amongst you stands before his Lord and then spits out in front of Him? Does any one of you like that he should be made to stand in front of someone and then spit at his face? So when any one of you spits, he must spit on his left side under his foot. But if he does not find (space to spit) he should do like this. Qasim (one of the narrators) spat in his cloth and then folded it and rubbed it.

Abu Huraira reported: I perceive as if I am looking at the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) folding up a part of his cloth with another one.

Anas b. Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When any one of you is engaged in prayer, he is holding intimate conversation with his Lord, so none of you must spit in front of him, or towards his right side, but towards his left side under his foot.

Anas b. Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Spitting in a mosque is a sin, and its expiation is that it should be buried.

Shu'ba reported: I asked Qatada about spitting, in the mosque. He said: I heard Anas b. Malik say: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say: Spitting in the mosque is a sin, and its expiation is that it should be buried.

Abu Dharr reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: The deeds of my people, good and bad, were presented before me, and I found the removal of something objectionable from the road among their good deeds, and the sputum mucus left unburied in the mosque among their evil deeds.

Abdullah b.Shakhkhir reported on the authority of his father that he said: I said prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and saw him spitting and rubbing it off with his shoe.

'Abdullah b. Shakhkhir narrated it on the authority of his father that he said prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), and he spat and then rubbed it off with his left shoe.

Sa'd b. Yazid reported: I said to Anas b. Malik: Did the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) pray while putting on the shoes? He said: Yes.

Sa'd b. Yazid Abu Mas'ama reported: I said to Anas like (that mentioned above).

'A'isha reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) prayed in a garment which had designs over it, so he (the Holy Prophet) said: Take it to Abu Jahm and bring me a plain blanket from him,because its designs have distracted me.

'A'isha reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) stood for prayer with a garment which had designs over it. He looked at these designs and after completing the prayer said: Take this garment to Abu Jahm b. Hudhaifa and bring me a blanket for it has distracted me just now.

'A'isha reported: The Apostle of Allah (way peace be upon him) had a garment which had designs upon it and this distracted him in prayer. He gave it to Abu Jahm and took a plain garment in its place which is known anbijaniya.

Anas b. Malik reported the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) saying: When the supper is brought and the prayer begins, one, should first take food.

Anas b. Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When the supper is brought before you, and it is also the time to say prayer, first take food before saying evening prayer and do not hasten (to prayer, leaving aside the food).

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Anas by another chain of transmitters.

Ibn 'Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When the supper is served to any one of you and the prayer also begins. (in such a case) first take supper, and do not make haste (for prayer) till you have (taken the food).

A hadith like this has been narrated from the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) on the authority of Ibn 'Umar with another chain of transmitters.

Ibn Atiq reported: Al-Qasim was in the presence of 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) that I narrated a hadith and Qasim was a man who committed errors in (pronouncing words) and his mother was a freed slave-girl. 'A'isha said to him: What is the matter with you that you do not narrate as this son of my brother narrated (the ahaditb)? Well I know from where you picked it up. This is how his mother brought him up and how your mother brought you up. Qasim felt angry (on this remark of Hadrat 'A'isha) and showed bitterness towards her. When he saw that the table had been spread for 'A'isha, he stood up, 'A'isha, said: Where are you going? He said: (I am going) to say prayer. She said: Sit down (to take the food). He said: I must say prayer. She said: Sit down, ) faithless, for I have heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say: No prayer can be (rightly said) when the food is there (before the worshipper), or when he is prompted by the call of nature.

'Abdullah b. 'Atiq narrated from the Apostle (may peace be upon him) on the authority of 'A'isha, but he made no mention of the account of Qasim.

Ibn 'Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said during the battle of Khaybar: He who ate of this plant, i.e. garlic, should not come to the mosques. In the narration of Zubair, there is only a mention of "battle" and not of Khaybar.

Ibn 'Umar reported: The Messenuer of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: He who eats of this (offensive) plant must not approach our mosque, till its odour dies: (plant signifies) garlic.

Ibn Suhaib reported: Anas was asked about the garlic; he stated that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had said: He who eats of this plant (garlic) should not approach us and pray along with us.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: He who eats of this plant (garlic) should not approach our mosque and should not harm us with the odour of garlic.

Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade eating of onions and leek. When we were overpowered by a desire (to eat) we ate them. Upon this he (the Holy Prophet) said: He who eats of this offensive plant must not approach our mosque, for the angels are harmed by the same things as men.

Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: He who eats garlic or onion should remain away from us or from our mosque and stay in his house. A kettle was brought to him which had (cooked) vegetables in it, He smelt (offensive) odour in it. On asking he was informed of the vegetables (cooked in it). He said: Take it to such and such Companion. When he saw it, he also disliked eating it. (Upon this). he (the Holy Prophet) said: You may eat it, for I converse wkh one with whom you do not converse.

Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) mying: He who eats of this (offensive) plant, i.e garlic, and sometirres he said: He who eats onion and garlic and leek, should not approach our mosque for the angels are harmed by the same things as the children of Adam.

Ibn Juraij has narrated it with the same chain of transmitters: He who eats of this plant, i.e. garlic, should not come to us in our mosque, and he made no mention of onions or leek.

Abu Sa'id reported: We made no transgression but Khaybar was conquered. We, the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), fell upon this plant. i e. garlic. because the people were hungry. We ate it to our heart's content and then made our way towards the mosque. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sensed its odour and he said: He who takes anything of this offensive plant must not approach us in the mosque. The people said: Its (use) has been forbidden; its (use) bu been forbidden. This reached the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) and he said: O people, I cannot forbid (the use of a thing) which Allah has made lawful, but (this garlic) is a plant the odour of which is repugnant to me.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) along with his Companions happened to pass by a field in which onions were sown. The people stopped there and ate out of that, but some of them did not eat. Then they (Propbet's Companions) went to him. He (first) called those who had not eaten the onions and kept the others (who had taken onions) waiting till its odour vanished.

Ma'dan b. Talha reported: 'Umar b. Khattab, delivered the Friday sermon and he made a mention of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr. He (further) said: I saw in a dream that a cock pecked me twice, and I perceive that my death is near. Some people have suggested me to appoint my successor. And Allah would not destroy His religion. His caliphate and that with which He sent His Apostle (may peace be upon him) If death approaches me soon, the (issue) of Caliphate (would be decided) by the consent of these six men with whom the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) remained well pleased till his death. And I know fully well that some people would blame me that I killed with these very hands of mine some persons who apparently professed (Islam). And if they do this (blame me) they are the enemies of Allah, and are non-believers and have gone astray. And I leave not after me anything which to my mind seems more important than Kalala. And I never turned towards the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) (for guidance) more often than this Kalala, and he (the Holy Prophet) was not annoyed with me on any other (issue) than this: (And he was so perturbed) that he struck his fingers on my chest and said: Does this verse. that is at the end of Surat al-Nisa'. which was revealed in the hot season not suffice you? And if I live longer I would decide this (problem so clearly) that one who reads the Qur'an, or one who does not read it, would be able to take (correct),decisions (under its light). He ('Umar) further said: Allah ! I call You witness on these governors of lands, that I sent them to (the peoples of these lands) so that they should administer justice amongst them, teach them their religion and the Sunnah of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him), and distribute amongst them the spoils of war and refer to me that which they find difficult to perform. O people. you eat 'these two plants and these are onions and garlic. and I find them nothing but repugnant for I saw that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sensed the odour of these two from a person in a mosque, he was made to go to al-Baqi'. So he who eats it should (make its odour) die by cooking it well.

This hadith has been narrated by Qatada with the same chain of transmitters.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: If anyone bears a man crying out in the mosque about something lie has lost, he should say: May Allah not restore it to you, for the mosques were not built for this.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) saying like this.

Sulaiman b. Buraida narrated it on the authority of his father that a man cried out in the mosque saying: Who had called out for the red camel? Upon this the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: May it not be restored to you! The mosques are built for what they are meant.

Sulaiman b. Buraida reported on the authority of his father that when the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) had said prayer a man stood up and said: Who called for a red camel? (Upon this) the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: May it not be restored to you! The mosques are built for what they are meant.

Ibn Buraida narrated it on the authority of his father that a Bedouin came when the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) had completed the morning prayer. He thrust his head in the door of the mosque, and then the hadith (as narrated above) was narrated.

This hadith has been reported by another chain of transmitters.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When any one of you stands up to pray. the devil comes to him and confuses him to that he does not know how much he has prayed. If any one of you h" such an experience he should perform two prostrations while sitting down (in qa'da).

This hadith has been narrated by al-Zubri with the same chain of transmitters.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When there is a call to prayer the devil runs back breaking the wind so that he may not hear the call, and when the call is complete he comes back. And when the takbir is pronounced he again runs back, and when takbir is over he comes back and distracts a man saying: Remember such and such, remember such and such, referring to something the man did not have in his mind. with the result that he does not know how much he has prayed; so when any one of you is not sure how much he has prayed. he should perform two prostrations while sitting (qa'da).

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: The devil takes to his heels breaking wind when the prayer begins. and the rest is the same but with this addition: "He (the devil) makes him think of pleasant things (or things productive of enjoyment) and of the things wished for, and reminds him of such needs which he had forgotten."

'Abdullah b. Buhaina reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) led us two rak'ahs of prayer in one of the (obligatory) prayers and then got up and did not sit. and the people stood up along with him. When he finished the prayer and we expected him to pronounce salutation. he said: “Allah is Most Great” while sitting and made two prostrations before salutation and then pronounced (the, final) salutation.

'Abdullah b. Buhaina al-Asadi, the ally of Abual-Muttalib, reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) stood up in the noon prayer (though) he hadith sit (after the two rak'ahs). When he completed the prayer he performed two prostrations and said, "Allah is the Most Great" in each prostration, while he was sitting before pronouncing salutation, and the people performed prostration along with him. That was a compensation for he had forgotten to observe jalsa (after two rak’ahs).

'Abdullah b. Malik ibn Buhaina al-Asadi reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) stood up (at the end of two rak’ahs) when he had to sit and proceeded on with the prayer. But when he was at the end of the prayer, he performed a prostration before the salutation and then pronounced the salutation.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When any one of you is in doubt about his prayer and he does Dot know how much he has prayed, three or four (rak'ahs). he should cast aside his doubt and base his prayer on what he is sure of. then perform two prostrations before giving salutations. If he has prayed five rak’ahs, they will make his prayer an even number for him, and if he has prayed exactly four, they will be humiliation for the devil.

This hadith has been narrated by Zaid b. Aslam with the same chain of transmitters and he said: He should perform two prostrations before the salutation, as it was mentioned by Sulaiman b. Bilal.

‘Alqama narrated It on the authority of 'Abdullah (b. Mas’ud) who said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said the prayer; (the narrator added): He made some act of omission or commission when he pronounced salutation; it was said to him: Messenger of Allah, is there something new about (he prayer? He (the Holy Prophet) said: What is it? They said: You said prayer in such and such away. He (the narrator) said: He (the Holy Prophet) turned his feet and faced the Qibla and performed two prostrations and then pronounced salutations, and then turned his face towards us and said: If there is anything new about prayer (new command from the Lord) I informed you of that. But I am a human being and I forget as you for. get, so when I forget, remind me, and when any one of you is in doubt about his prayer. he should aim at what Is correct. and complete his prayer in that respect and then make two prostrations.

This hadith has been narrated by Mansur with the same chain of transmitters, with a slight modification of words.

This hadith is reported by Mansur with the same chain of transmitters, but with these words: "He should aim at correct (prayer) and it is advisable."

This hadith has been narrated by Mansur with the same chain of transmitters with the words: I, He should aim at what is correct and complete."

This hadith has been narrated by Mansur with the same chain of transmitters and said: "He should aim at correctness and that is right."

This hadith has been reported by Mansur with the same chain of transwitters and he said: "He should aim at what is according to him correct."

This hadith has been narrated by Mansur and he said: "He should aim at correctness."

'Abdullah (b. Mas’ud) reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said five rak'ahs of the noon prayer and when he completed the prayer, It was said to him: Has there been (commanded) an addition In prayer? He said: What is it? They said: You have said five rak’ahs, so he performed two prostrations.

Alqama reported: He (the Holy Prophet) had led them five rak’ahs in prayer.

Ibrahim b.Suwaid-reported: 'Alqama led us in the noon prayer and be offered five rak'ahs; when the prayer was complete, the people said to him: Abu Shibl, you have offered five rak’ahs. He said: No, I have not done that. They said: Yes (you said five rak’ahs). He (the narrator) said: And I was sitting in a corner among people and I was just a boy. I (also) said: Yes, you have offered five (rak’ahs). He said to me: O, one-eyed, do you say the same thing ? I said: Yes. Upon this he turned (his face) and performed two prostrations and then gave salutations, and then reported 'Abdullah as saying: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) led us in prayer and offered five rak'ahs. And as he turned away the people began to whisper amongst themselves. He (the Holy Prophet) said: What is the matter with you ? They said: Has the prayer been extended? He said: No. They said: You have in fact said five rak’ahs. He (the Holy Prophet) then turned his back (and faced the Qibla) and performed two prostrations and then gave salutations and further said: Verily I am a human being like you, I forget just as you forget. Ibn Numair made this addition: "When any one of you forgets, he must perform two prostrations."

'Abdullah (b. Mas'ud) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) led us five (rak’ahs in prayer). We said: Messenger of Allah, has the prayer been extended? He said: What is the matter? They said: You have said five (rak’ahs). He (the Holy Prophet) said: Verily I am a human being like you. I remember as you remember and I forget just as you forget. He then performed two prostrations as (compensation of) forgetfulness.

'Abdullah (b. Mas’ud) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said prayer and he omitted or committed (something). Ibrahim (one of the narrators of this hadith) said: It is my doubt, and it was said: Messenger of Allah, has there been any addition to the prayer? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Verily I am a human being like you. I forget just as you forget so when any one of you forgets, he must perform two prostrations, and he (the Holy Prophet) was sitting and then the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) turned (his face towards the Qibla) and performed two prostrations.

'Abdullah b. Mas’ud reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) performed two prostrations for forgetfulness after salutation and talking.

Abdullah reported: We prayed along with the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) and he committed or omitted (something). Ibrahim said: By Allah, this is a misgiving of mine only. We said: Messenger of Allah, is there something new about the prayer ? He (the Holy Prophet) said: No. We told him about what he had done. He (the Holy Prophet) said : When a man commits or omits (something in prayer), he should perform two prostrations, and he then himself performed two prostrations.

Ibn Sirin reported Abu Huraira as saying: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) led us in one of the two evening prayers, Zuhr or 'Asr, and gave salutations after two rak'ahs and going towards a piece of wood which was placed to the direction of the Qibla in the mosque, leaned on it looking as if he were angry. Abu Bakr and Umar were among the people and they were too afraid to speak to him and the people came out in haste (saying) : The prayer has been shortened. But among them was a man called Dhu'I-Yadain who said: Messenger of Allah, has the prayer been shortened or have you forgotten ? The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) looked to the right and left and said: What was Dhu'I-Yadain saying? They said: He is right. You (the Holy Prophet) offered but two rak'ahs. lie offered two (more) rak’ahs and gave salutation, then said takbir and prostrated and lifted (his head) and then said takbir and prostrated, then said takbir and lifted (his head). He (the narrator) says: It has been reported to me by Imran b. Husain that he said : He (their) gave salutation.

Abu Huraira reported : The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) led us in one of the evening prayers. And this hadith was narrated like one transmitted by Sufyan.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) led us in the 'Asr prayer and gave salutation after two rak'ahs. Dhu'l-Yadain (the possessor of long arms) stood up and said: Messenger of Allah, has the prayer been shortened or have you forgotten ? The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Nothing like this has happened (neither the prayer has been shortened nor have I forgotten). He (Dhu'l-Yadain) said: Messenger of Allah, something has definitely happened. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) turned towards people and said: Is Dhu'l-Yadain true (in his assertion) ? They said : Messenger of Allah, he is true. Then the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) completed the rest of the prayer. and then performed two prostrations while he was sitting after salutation.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said two rak'ahs of the noon prayer and then gave salutation when a man from Band Sulaim came to him and said: Messenger of Allah. has the prayer been shortened, or have you forgotten ?-and the rest of the hadith is the same.

Abu Huraira reported : I offered with the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) the noon prayer and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) gave salutation after two rak'ahs. A person from Bani Sulaim stood up, and the rest of the hadith was narrated as mentioned above.

'Imran b. Husain reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said the afternoon prayer and gave the salutation. at the end of three rak’ahs and then went into his house. A man called al-Khirbaq, who bad long aims, got up and went to him, and addressed him as Messenger of Allah and mentioned to him what he had done. He came out angrily trailing his mantle, and when he came to the people he said: Is this man telling the truth ? They said : Yes. He then said one rak'ah and then gave salutation and then performed two prostrations and then gave salutation.

Imran b. Husain reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said three rak'ahs of the 'Asr prayer and then got up and went to his apartment. A man possessing large arms stood up and said: Messenger of Allah, bias the player been shortened ? He came out angrily, and said the rak'ah which he had omitted and then gave salutation. then performed two prostrations of forgetfulness and then gave salutation.

Ibn 'Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) while reciting the Qur’an recited its scarab containing sajda, and he performed prostration and we also prostrated along with him (but we were so overcrowded) that some of us could not find a place for our forehead (when prostrating ourselves).

Ibn 'Umar reported: Sometimes the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) recited the Qur’an, and would pass by (recite) the verse of sajda and performed prostration and he did this along with us, but we were so crowded in his company that none of us could find a place for performing prostration. (and it was done on occasions) other than prayer.

Abdullah (b. 'Umar) reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) recited (Surat) al Najm and performed prostration during its recital and all those who were along with him also prostrated themselves except one old man who took a handful of pebbles or dust in his palm and lifted it to his forehead and said: This is sufficient for me. 'Abdullah said: 1 saw that he was later killed in a state of unbelief.

'ta’ b. Yasar reported that he had asked Zaid b. Thabit about recital along with the Imam, to which he said: There should be no recital along with the Imam in anything, and alleged that he recited: "By the star when it sets"(Surah Najm) before the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and he did not prostrate himself.

Abu Salama b. 'Abual-Rahman reported: Abu Huraira recited before them : "hen the heaven burst asunder" (al-Qur'an, lxxxiv. 1) and performed prostration. After completing (the prayer) he informed them that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) has prostrated himself at it (this verse).

A hadith like this has been narrated by AbuSalama on the authority of Abu Huraira.

Abu Huraira reported: We performed prostration along with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) (as he recited these verses:) "When the heaven burst asunder" and "Read in the name of Thy Lord" (al-Qur'an, xcvi. 1).

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) prostrated himself (while reciting these verses). "When the heaven burst asunder"; “Read in the name of Thy Lord”.

A hadith like this has been transmitted by Abual-Rahman al-Araj on the authority of Abu Huraira.

Abu Rafi’ reported: I said the night prayer along with Abu Huraira and -as he recited: "When the heaven burst asunder," he performed prostration. Isaid to him: What prostration is this? He said: I prostrated myself (on this occasion of recital) behind Abu'I-Qasim (Muhammad. may peace be upon him), and Iwould go on doing this till I meet him (in the next world). Ibn 'Abu al-A'la said: (Abu Huraira uttered this:) I would not abandon performing prostration.

This hadith has been narrated by Tamimi with the same chain of transmitters except for this that they made no mention of: "Behind Abu’l-Qasim" (may peace be upon him).

Abu Rafi’ reported: I saw Abu Huraira performing prostration (while reciting this verse:) "When the heaven burst asunder." I said to him: Do you prostrate yourself (while reciting) i? He said: Yes, I saw my best Friend (may peace be upon him) prostrating himself on (the recital of this verse) and I shall continue prostrating till I meet him. Shu’ba asked: Do you mean (by Friend) the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him)? He said: Yes.

Abdullah b. Zubair narrated on the authority of his father: When the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sat in prayer. he placed the left foot between his thigh and shank and stretched the right foot and placed his left hand or his left knee and placed his right hand on his right thigh, and raised his finger.

'Abdullah b. Zubair narrated on the authority of his father that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sat for supplication, i.e. tashahhud (blessing and supplication), he placed his right hand on his right thigh and his left hand on his left thigh, and pointed with his forefinger , and placed his thumb on his (milddle) finger, and covered his knee with the palm of his left hand..

Ibn 'Umar reported that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sat for tashahhud he placed his left hand on his left knee. and his right hand on his right knee. and he raised his right finger, which is next to the thumb, making supplication in this way, and he stretched his left hand on his left knee. Another version on the authority of Ibn Umar says: When the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sat for tashahhud, he placed his left hand on his left knee and placed his right hand on his right knee, and he formed a ring like (fifty-three) and pointed with his finger of attestation.

'Ali b. 'Abual-Rahman al-Mu'awi reported: 'Abdullah b. Umar saw me playing with pebbles during prayer. After finishing the prayer he forbade me (to do it) and said: Do as the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to do. I said: How did Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) do? He said that he (the Messenger of Allah) sat at tashahhud, placed his right palm on the right thigh and closed all his fingers and pointed with the help of finger next to the thumb, and placed his left palm on his right thigh.

This hadith has been narrated by another chain of transmitters.

Abu Ma'mar reported: There was an Amir in Mecca who pronounced taslim twice. Abdullah said: Where did he get this sunnah? Al-Hakam said: There is a hadith to the effect that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) did like It.

'Abdullah reported: An Amir or a person pronounced taslim twice. ‘Abdullah said: Where did he get this sunnah?

'Amir b. Sa'd reported: I saw the Messenger of Allah (may peace be open him) pronouncing taslim on his right and on his left till I saw the whiteness of his cheek.

Ibn 'Abbas said: We used to know that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) had finished his prayer when we heard the takbir (Allah-O-Akbar).

Ibn 'Abbas reported: We knew the finishing of the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) through takbir. 'Amr (b. Dinar) said: I made a mention of it to Abu Mas'ud. hue he rejected it and said: I never narrated it to you. 'Amr said: He did narrate it before this.

Ibn 'Abbas reported: Dhikr (mentioning the name of Allah) in a loud voice after obligatory prayers was (a common practice) during the lifetime of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him); and when I heard that I came to knew that they (the people) had finished the prayer.

'A'isha reported: The Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) entered my house when a Jewess was with me and she was saying: Do you know that you would be put to trial in the grave? The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) trembled (on hearing this) and said: It is the Jews only who would-be put to trial. 'A'isha said: We passed some nights and then the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Do you know that it has been revealed to me: "You would be put to trial in the grave"? 'A'isha said: 1 heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) seeking refuge from the torment of the grave after this.

Abu Huraira reported. I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) seeking refuge from the torment of the grave after this (after the revelation).

'A'isha reported: There came to me two old women from the old Jewesses of Medina and said: The people of the grave are tormented in their graves. I contradicted them and I did not deem it proper to testify them. They went away and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) came to me and I said to him: Messenger of Allah I there came to me two old women from the old Jewesses of Medina and asserted that the people of the graves would be tormented therein. He (the Prophet) said: They told the truth; they would be tormented (so much) that the animals would listen to it. She ('A'isha) said: Never did I see him (the Holy Prophet) afterwards but seeking refuge from the torment of the grave in prayer.

Masruq reported this hadith on the authority of 'A'isha who said: Never did he (the Holy Prophet) say prayer after this in which I did not hear him seeking refuge from the torment of the grave.

'A'isha reported: 1 heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) seeking refuge from the trial of Dajjal (Antichrist) in prayer.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (way peace be upon him) said: When any one of you utters tashahhud (in prayer) he must seek refuge with Allah from four (trials) and should thus say: “O Allah ! I seek refuge with Thee from the torment of the Hell, from the torment of the grave, from the trial of life and death and from the evil of the trial of Masih al-Dajjal" (Antichrist).

‘A'isha, the wife of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate in prayer thus: “O Allah ! I seek refuge with Thee from the torment of the grave, and I seek refuge with Thee from the trial of the Masih al-Dajjal (Antichrist) and I seek refuge with Thee from the trial of life and death. O Allah ! I seek refuge with Thee from sin and debt." She ('A'isha) reported: Someone said to him -(the Holy Prophet) : Messenger of Allah ! why is it that you so often seek refuge from debt? He said : When a (person) incurs debt, (he is obliged) to tell lies and break promise.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When any one of you completes the last tashahhud. he should seek refuge with Allah from four (trials). I.e. from the torment of Hell, from the torment of grave, from the trial of life and death.-and from the mischief of Masih at-Dajjal (Antichrist). This hadith has been narrated by al-Auza’i with the same chain of transmitters but with these words: "When any one of you completes the tashahhud" and he made no mention of the words "the last".

Abu Huraira reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: O Allah ! I seek refuge with Thee from the torment of the grave, and the torment of Hell, and the trial of life and death and the mischief of Masih al-Dajjal.

Abu Huraira reported the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: Seek refuge with Allah from the torment of Hell, seek refuge with Allah from the torment of the grave, and seek refuge with Allah from the trial of Masih al-Dajjal and seek refuge with Allah from the trial of life and death.

A hadith like this has been transmitted by Ibn Tawus from his father on the authority of AbuHuraira.

A hadith like this has been transmitted by A'raj on the authority of Abu Huraira.

Abu Huraira reported that the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) use(t to seek refuge from the torment of the grave, torment of Hell and the trial of Dajjal.

Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) used to teach them this supplication (in the same spirit) with which he used to teach them a surah of the Qur’an. He would thus instruct us: "Say, O Allah I we seek refuge with Thee from the torment of Hell, and I seek refuge with Thee from the torment of the grave, and I seek refuge with Thee from the trial of Masih al-Dajjal. and I seek refuge with Thee from the trial of life and death." Muslim b. Hajjaj said: It has reached me that Tawus said to his son: Did you make this supplication in prayer? He said: No. (Upon this) he (Tawus) said: Repeat the prayer. Tawus has narrated this hadith through three or four (transmitters) with words to the same effect.

Thauban reported: When the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) finished his prayer. he begged forgiveness three times and said: O Allah ! Thou art Peace, and peace comes from Thee; Blessed art Thou, O Possessor of Glory and Honour. Walid reported: I said to Auza’i: How Is the seeking of forgiveness? He replied: You should say: ,I beg forgiveness from Allah, 1 beg forgiveness from Allah."

‘A'isha reported: When the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) pronounced salutation, he salutation longer than it took him to say : O Allah: Thou art Peace, and peace comes from Thee, blessed art Thou, Possessor of Glory and ]Honour; and in the narration of Ibn Numair the words are: "O Possessor of Glory and Honour."

Ibn Numair narrated it with the same chain of transmitters and said: O Possessor of Glory and Honour.

A hadith like this has been transmitted by Abdullah b. Harith on the authority of A'isha except for the words that he (the Holy Prophet) used to say: " 0 Possessor of Glory and Honour."

Mughira b. Shu'ba wrote to Mu'awiya: When the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) finished the prayer and pronounced salutation he uttered (this supplication) : "There is no god but Allah. He is alone, Who has no partner. To Him belongs the sovereignty and to Him praise is due and He is Potent over every. thing. O Allah ! no one can withhold what Thou givest, or give what Thou withholdest, and the riches cannot avail a wealthy person with Thee."

A hadith like this has been narrated by Mughira b. Shu'ba with another chain of transmitters. Abu Bakr and Abu Kuraib narrated in their narration (that Warrad reported): Mughira gave me dictation of it and 1 wrote it to Mu’awiya.

Warrad, the freed slave of Mughira b. Shu’ba, reported: Mughira b. Shu’ba wrote to Mu’awiya (it was Warrad who wrote this letter for him, i.e. Mughira): I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saying: "When the salutation is pronounced." and the rest of the hadith is the same except this that he made no mention of: "He is Potent over everything."

Warrad, the scribe of Mughira b. Shu'ba, reported: Mu’awiya wrote to Mughira (the contents) of the hadith as transmitted by Mansur and A'mash.

Warrad, the scribe of Mughira b. Shu’ba, reported: Mu'awiya wrote to Mughira: Write to me anything which you heard from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). So he (Mughira) wrote to him (Mu’awiya): I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) uttering (these words) at the completion of prayer: "There is no god but Allah. He is alone and there is no partner with Him. Sovereignty belongs to Him and to Him is praise due and He is Potent over everything. O Allah ! no one can withhold what Thou givest, or give what Thou withholdest, and riches cannot avail a wealthy person with Thee."

Abu Zubair reported: Ibn Zubair uttered at the end of every prayer after pronouncing salutation (these words): "There is no god but Allah. He is alone. There is no partner with Him. Sovereignty belongs to Him and He is Potent over everything. There is no might or power except with Allah. There is no god but Allah and we do not worship but Him alone. To Him belong all bounties, to Him belongs all Grace, and to Him is worthy praise accorded. There is no god but Allah, to Whom we are sincere in devotion, even though the unbelievers should disapprove it." (The narrator said): He (the Holy Prophet) uttered it at the end of every (obligatory) prayer.

Abu Zubair reported: Abdullah b Zubair used to say La ilaha il-Allah at the end of every prayer like the hadith narrated by Ibn Numair and he reported it in the end, and then reported Ibn Zubair saying: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) uttered La ilaha il-Allah at the end of every prayer.

Abu Zubair reported: I heard Abdullah b. Zubair addressing (people) on the pulpit and saying: When the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) pronounced salutation at the end of the prayer or prayers, and then he made a mention of the hadith as transmitted by Hisham b. 'Urwa.

Abu Zubair al-Makki reported that he had heard 'Abdullah b. Zubair uttering (the words) like that of the hadith (narrated above) at the end of the prayer after pronouncing salutation. He at the conclusion also said that he was making a mention of that from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him).

Abu Huraira reported: The poor amongst the emigrants came to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and said: The possessors of great wealth have obtained the highest ranks and the lasting bliss. lie (the Holy Prophet) said: How Is that? They said: They pray as we pray, and they observe fast as we observe fast, and they give charity but we do not give charity, and they set slaves free but we do not set slaves free. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Shall A not teach you something by which you will catch upon those who have preceded you, and get ahead of those who come after you, only those who do as you do being more excellent than you? They said: Yes, Messenger of Allah. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Extol Allah, declare His Greatness, and Praise Him thirty-three times after every prayer. Abu Salih said: The poor amongst the emigrants returned to the Messenger of Allah (may peace upon him) saying: Our brethren, the possessors, of property have heard what we have done and they did the same. So the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: This is Allah's Grace which He gives to whom He wishes. Sumayy reported: I made a mention of this hadith to some members of my family (and one of them) said: You have forgotten; he (the Holy Prophet) had said (like this):."Extol Allah thirty-three time. praise Allah thirty-three times and declare His Greatness thirty-three times. Ibn 'Ajjan said: 1 made a mention of this hadith to Raja' b. Haiwata and he narrated to me a hadith like this from AbuSalih from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) on the authority of Abu Huraira.

Abu Huraira narrated it from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) that they (the poor among the emigrants) said: Messenger of Allah, the possessors of great wealth have obtained the highest ranks and lasting bliss, and the rest of the hadith is the same as transmitted by Qutaiba on the authority of Laith except that he inserted the words of Abu Salih in the narration of Abu Huraira that "the poor of the emigrants came back," to the end of the hadith,, but this addition was made that Suhail said (that every part of the supplication, i.e. Glorification of Allah, His Praise and declaration of His Greatness) should be uttered eleven times making the total as thirty-three.

Ka'b b. 'Ujra reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There are certain ejaculations, the repeaters of which or the performers of which after every prescribed prayer will never be caused disappointment: "Glory be to Allah " thirty-three times. "Praise be to Allah" thirty-three times, and "Allah is most Great" thirty-four times.

Ka'b b. 'Ujra reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There are certain ejaculations, the repeaters of which or the performers of which at the end of every prayer will never be caused disappointment: "Glory be to Allah" thirty-three times, "Praise be to Allah" thirty-three times, and "Allah is most Great" thirty-four times.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying : If anyone extols Allah after every prayer thirty-three times, and praises Allah thirty-three times, and declares His Greatness thirty-three times, ninety-nine times in all, and says to complete a hundred: "There is no god but Allah, having no partner with Him, to Him belongs sovereignty and to Him is praise due, and He is Potent over everything, " his sins will be forgiven even If these are as abundant as the foam of the sea.

This hadith has been narrated by Abu Huraira by another chain of transmitters.

Abu Huraira reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to observe, silence for a short while between the takbir (at the time of opening the prayer) and the recitation of the Qur’an. I said to him: Messenger of Allah, for whom I would give my father and mother in ransom, what do you recite during your period of silence between the takbir and the recitation? He said: I say (these words): “ O Allah , remove my sins from me as Thou hast removed the East from the West. O Allah purify me from sins as a white garment is purified from filth. O Allah !wash away my sins with water, snow and hall."

Abu Huraira reported that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) stood up for the second rak’ah he opened it with the recitation of the praise of Allah, the Lord of universe (al-Fatiha), and he did not observe silence (before the recitation of al-Fatiha).

Anas reported: A man came panting and entered the row of worshippers and said : Praise be to Allah, much praised and blessed. When the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) finished the prayer he said: Who amongst you uttered these words? The people remained silent. He (the Holy Prophet again said)-: Who amongst you uttered these words? He said nothing wrong. Then a man said: I came and had a difficulty in breathing, so I uttered them. He replied: I saw twelve angels facing one another as to who will take them up (to Allah).

Ibn 'Umar reported: While we said prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), one among the people said: Allah is truly Great, praise be to Allah in abundance. Glory be to Allah in the morning and the evening. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon, him) said: Who uttered such and such a word? A person among the people said: It is I, Messenger of Allah (who have recited these words). He (the Holy Prophet) said: It (its utterance) surprised me, for the doors of heaven were opened for It. Ibn 'Umar said: I have not abandoned them (these words) since I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saying this.

Abu Huraira reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saying: When the Iqama has been pronounced for prayer, do not go running to it, but go walking in tranquillity and pray what you are in time for, and complete what you have missed.

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When the words of Iqama are pronounced, do not come to (prayer) running, but go with tranquillity, and pray what you are in time for, and complete (what you have missed) for when one of you is preparing for prayer he is in fact engaged in prayer.

Abu Huraira reported ahadith from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), and one of them is that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon), said: When the call is made for prayer come to it walking with tranquillity, and pray what you are in time for, and complete what you have missed.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When the words of Iqama are pronounced, none of you should run to it (to join the prayer) but walk with tranquillity and dignity, and pray what you are in time for and complete what has gone before (what the Imam has completed).

Abdullah b. Abu Qatada reported on the authority of his father: While we said our prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) he heard tumult. (At the end of the prayer) he (the Holy Prophet) said: What is the matter with you? They said: We hastened to prayer. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Don't do that; when you come for prayer, there should be tranquillity upon you. Pray (along with the Imam) what you can find and complete what preceded you.

This hadith has been narrated by Shaiban with the same chain of transmitters

Abu Qatada reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When the Iqama is pronounced do not get up till you see me Ibn Hatim was in doubt whether it was said: "When the Iqama is pronounced" or "When call is made".

Abu Salama son of Abd al-Rahman b. Auf reported Abu Huraira as saying: Iqama was pronounced and we stood up and made rows straight till he (the Holy Prophet) stood at his place of worship (the place ahead of the rows where he stood to lead the prayer) before takbir tahrima. He reminded to (himself something) and went back saying that we should stand at our places and not leave them. We waited, till he came back to us and he had taken a bath and water trickled out of his head and then led us in prayer.

Abu Salama reported Abu Huraira as saying: Iqama was pronounced. ant the people had formed themselves into rows. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) came out and stood at his place, and then pointed out with his hand that we should stand at our places. He then went away and took a bath and water trickled from his head and then led them in prayer.

Abu Salama reported on the authority of Abu Huraira that when Iqama was pronounced for the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), the people occupied their places in the rows before the Apostle of Allah (way peace be upon him) stood up at his place.

Jabir b. Samura reported: Bilal summoned to prayer as the sun declined but did not pronounce Iqama till the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) came out and the Iqama was pronounced on seeing him.

Abu Huraira reported the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who finds a rak’ah of the prayer, he in fact finds the prayer.

Abu Huraira reported the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who finds one rak'ah of the prayer with the Imam, he in fact finds the prayer.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Malik and there is no mention of "along with the Imam" and In the hadith transmitted by Abdullah the words are: "he in fact finds the entire prayer".

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: He who finds one rak'ah at dawn before the rising of the sun, he in fact finds the dawn prayer. and he who finds one rak'ah of the afternoon prayer before sunset, he in fact finds the afternoon prayer.

A'isha reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: He who finds a prostration before sunset or at dawn (prayer) before the rising (of the sun) he Id fact finds that (prayer), and prostration implies a rak’ah.

This hadith is narrated by Abu Huraira with another chain of transmitters.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: He who finds (gets) a rak'ah of the afternoon (prayer) before the setting of the sun, he in fact gets (the full prayer), and he who gets a rak'ah of the morning (prayer) before the rising of the sun he in fact gets (the full prayer).

This hadith has been reported by Ma'mar with another chain of transmitters.

Ibn Shibab reported: 'Umar b. 'Abd al-'Aziz deferred the afternoon prayer somewhat and 'Urwa said to him: Gabriel came down and he led the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) in prayer. 'Umar said to him: O 'Urwa, are you aware of what you are saying? Upon this he ('Urwa) said: I heard Bashir b. Abu Mas’ud say that he heard Abu Mas’ud say that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say: Gabriel came down and acted as my Imam, then I prayed with him, then I prayed with him, then I prayed with him. then I prayed with him. then I prayed with him. reckoning with his fingers five times of prayer.

Ibn Shibab reported: Umar b. 'Abd al-’Aziz one day deferred the prayer. 'Urwa b. Zubair came to him and informed him that one day as Mughira b. Shu’ba was in Kufa (as its governor), he deferred the prayer, Abu Mas’ud al-Ansari came to him and said: What is this, O Mughira? Did you know that it was Gabriel who came and said prayer and (then) the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said the prayer (along with him), then (Gabriel) prayed and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) also prayed, then (Gabriel) prayed and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) also prayed, then (Gabriel) prayed and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) prayed (along with him). then Gabriel prayed and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) also prayed (along with him) and then said: This is how I have been ordered to do. 'Umar (b. 'Abd al-’Aziz) said . O 'Urwa be mindful of what you are saying that Gabriel (peace be upon him) taught the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) the times of prayer. Upon this 'Urwa said: This is how Bashir b. Abu Mas’ud narrated on the authority of his father and (also said): ‘A’isha?, the wife of the Apostle (may peace be upon him). narrated it to me that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to say the afternoon prayer, when the light of the sun was there in her apartment before it went out (of it).

A'isha reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said the afternoon" prayer as the sun shone in my apartment, and the afternoon shadow did not extend further. Abu Bakr said: The afternoon shadow did not appear to extend further.

‘A’isha, the wife of the Apostle (may peace be upon him), said that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said the afternoon prayer (at the time) when the sun shone in her apartment and its shadow did not extend beyond her apartment.

A’isha reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said the afternoon prayer (at a time) when the (light) of the sun was there in my apartment.

Abdullah b. 'Amr reported the Apostle (may peace be upon him) saying: The time of the noon prayer(lasts)as long as it is not afternoon, and the time of the afternoon prayer (lasts) as long as the sun does not turn pale and the time of the evening prayer (lasts) as long as the spreading appearance of the redness above the horizon after sunset does not sink down, and the, time of the night prayer (lasts) by midnight and the time of the morning prayer (lasts) as long as the sun dots not rise.

Abu Bakr b Abu Shaiban and Yahya b Abu Bukair both of them narrated this hadith with the same chain of transmitters.

'Abdullah b. 'Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: The time of the noon prayer is when the sun passes the meridian and a man's shadow is the same (length) as his height, (and it lasts) as long as the time for the afternoon prayer has not come; the time for the afternoon prayer is as long as the sun has not become pale ; the time of the evening prayer is as long as the twilight has not ended; the time of the night prayer is up to the middle of the average night and the time of the morning prayer is from the appearance of dawn, as long as the sun has not risen; but when the sun rises, refrain from prayer for it rises between the horns of the devil.

'Abdullah b. 'Amr b. al-'As reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was asked about the times of prayers. He said: The time for the morning prayer (lasts) as long as the first visible part of the rising sun does not appear and the time of the noon prayer is when the sun declines from the zenith and there is not a time for the afternoon prayer and the time for the afternoon prayer is so long as the sun does not become pale and its first visible part does not set, and the time for the evening prayer is that when the sun disappears and (it lasts) till the twilight is no more and the time for the night prayer is up to the midnight.

'Abdullah narrated it on the authority of his father Yahya: Knowledge cannot be acquired with sloth.

Sulaiman b. Buraida narrated it on the authority of his father that a person asked the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) about the time of prayer. Upon this he said: Pray with us these two, meaning two days. When the sun passed the meridian. he gave command to Bilal who uttered the call to prayer. then lie commanded him and pronounced Iqama for noon prayer (Then at the tine of the afternoon prayer) he again commanded and Iqama for the afternoon prayer was pronounced when the sun was high, white and clear. He then commanded and Iqama for the evening prayer was pronounced, when the sun had set. He then commanded him and the Iqama for the night prayer was pronounced When the twilight had disappeared. He then commanded him and the Iqama for the morning prayer was pronounced, when the dawn had appeared. When it was the next day, he commanded him to delay the noon prayer till the extreme heat had passed and he did so, and he allowed it to be delayed till the extreme heat had passed. He observed the afternoon prayer when the sun was high, delaying it beyond the time he had previously observed it. He observed the evening prayer before the twilight had vanished ; he observed the night prayer when a third of the night had passed; and he observed the dawn prayer when there was clear daylight. He (the Holy Prophet) then said: Where is the man who inquired about the time of prayer? He (the inquirer) said : Messenger of Allah I here I am. He (the Holy Prophet) said: The time for your prayer is within the limits of what you have seen.

Buraida narrated on the authority of his father that a man came to the Prophet (may peace be upon him) and asked about the times of prayer. He said: You observe with us the prayer. He commanded Bilal, and he uttered the call to prayer in the darkness of night preceding daybreak and he said the morning prayer till dawn had appeared. He then commanded him (Bilal) to call for the noon prayer when the sun had declined from the zenith. He then commanded him (Bilal) to call for the afternoon prayer when the sun was high. He then commanded him for the evening prayer when the sun had set. He then commanded him for the night prayer when the twilight had disappeared. Then on the next day he commanded him (to call for prayer) when there was light in the morning. He then commanded him (to call) for the noon prayer when the extreme heat was no more. He then commanded him for the afternoon prayer when the sun was bright and clear and yellowness did not blend with it. He then commanded him to observe the sunset prayer. He then commanded him for the night prayer when a third part of the night bad passed or a bit less than that. Harami (the narrator of this hadith) was in doubt about that part of the mentioned hadith which concerned the portion of the night. When it was dawn, he (the Holy Prophet) said: Where is the inquirer (who inquired about the times of prayer and added): Between (these two extremes) is the time for prayer.

Abu Musa narrated on the authority of his father that a person came to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) for inquiring about the times of prayers. He (the Holy Prophet) gave him no reply (because he wanted to explain to him the times by practically observing these prayers). He then said the morning player when it was daybreak, but the people could hardly recognise one another. He then commanded and the Iqama for the noon prayer was pronounced when the tan had passed the meridian and one would say that it was midday but he (the Holy Prophet) knew batter than them. He then again commanded and the Iqama for the afternoon prayer was pronounced when the sun was high. He then commanded and Iqama for the evening prayer was pronounced when the sun had sunk. He then commanded and Iqama for the night prayer was pronounced when the twilight had disappeared. He then delayed the morning prayer on the next day (so much so) that after returning from it one would say that the sun had risen or it was about to rise. He then delayed the noon prayer till it was near the time of afternoon prayer (as it was observed yesterday). He then delayed the afternoon prayer till one after returning from it would say that the sun had become red. He then delayed the evening prayer till the twilight was about to disappear. He then delayed the night prayer till it was one-third of the night. He then called the inquirer in the morning and said: The time for prayers is between these two extremes).

Abu Musa reported on the authority of his father that an Inquirer came to the Prophet (may peace be upon him) and asked him about the times of prayers, and the rest of the hadith is the same (as narrated above) but for these words: "On the second day he (the Holy Prophet) observed the evening prayer before the disappearance of the twilight."

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) said: When it is very hot, say (the noon prayer) when the extreme beat passes away, for intensity of beat is from the exhalation of Hell.

Another hadith like this has been transmitted by Abu Huraira.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When it is a hot day, (delay) the prayer till the extreme heat passes away, for the intensity of heat is from the exhalation of Hell.

Abu Huraira reported: Refrain from saying (the noon prayer) till the extreme heat passes away, for the Intensity of heat is from the exhalation of Hell.

Abu Huraira narrated this hadith from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be up on him) by another chain of transmitters.

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: This heat is from the exhalation of Hell-fire, so delay the prayer till it is cool.

Hammam b. Munabbih reported: This is what Abu Huraira narrated to us from the Holy Prophet and he transmitted some ahadith-one of them was that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Let the heat become less severe before prayer, for the intensity of heat is from the exhalation of Hell.

Abu Dharr reported: The Mu'adhdbin (the announcer of the hour of prayer) of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) called for the noon prayer. Upon this the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Let it cool down, let it cool down, or he said: Wait, wait for the intensity of heat is from the exhalation of Hell. When the heat is intense, delay the prayer till it becomes cooler. Abu Dharr said: (We waited) till we saw the shadow of the mounds.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: The Fire made a complaint before the Lord saying. "O Lord, some parts of mine have consumed the others." So it was allowed to take two exhalations, one exhalation in winter and the other exhalation in summer. That is why you find extreme heat (in summer) and extreme cold (in winter).

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When it is hot, make delay (in the noon prayer) till it cools down, for the intensity of beat is from the Exhalation of Hell; and lie also mentioned that the Hellfire complained to the Lord (about the congested atmosphere) and so it was permitted to take two exhalation during the whole year, one exhalation during the winter and one exhalation during the summer.

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: The Fire said to the Lord: O Lord! some parts of mine have consumed the others, so allow me to exhale (in order to find some relief from this congestion). It was granted permission to take two exhalations, one exhalation during the winter and the other exhalation during the summer So whatever you perceive in the form of intense cold or hurting cold is from the exhalation of Hell. And whatever you perceive in the form of extreme heat or intense beat is from the exhalation of Hell.

Jabir b. Samura reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to offer the noon prayer when the sun declined.

Khabbab reported: We complained to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) (the difficulty of) saying prayer on the intensely heated (ground or sand), but he paid no heed to our complaint.

Khabbab reported: We came to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and we complained to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) about (saying prayer) on the extremely heated ground (or sand), but he paid no heed to us. Zuhair said: I asked Abu Ishaq whether it was about the noon prayer. He said: Yes. I again said whether it concerned the (offering) of the noon (prayer) in earlier hours. He said: Yes. I said: Did it concern expediting it? He said: Yes.

Anas b. Malik reported: We used to say (the noonprayer) with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) in the intense heat, but when someone amongst us found it hard to place his forehead on the ground, he spread his cloth and prostrated on it.

Anas b. Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to pray the afternoon prayer when the sun was high and bright, then one would go off to al-'Awali and get there while the sun was still high. Ibn Qutaiba made no mention of "one would go off to al-'Awali".

This hadith that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to offer the afternoon prayer like the one narrated above has been transmitted by Anas b. Malik by another chain of transmitters.

Anas b. Malik reported: We used to offer the 'Asr prayer, then one would go to Quba' and reach there and the sun would be still high.

Anas b. Malik reported: We used to offer the afternoon prayer (at such a time) that a person would go to Bani 'Amr b. Auf and he would find them busy offering the afternoon prayer.

'Ala' b. 'Abd al-Rahman reported that they came to the house of Anas b. Malik in Basra after saying the noon prayer. His (Anas) house was situated by the side of the mosque. As revisited him he (Anas) said: Have you said the afternoon prayer? We said to him: It is just a few minutes before that we finished the noon prayer. He said: Offer the afternoon prayer. So we stood up and said our prayer. And when we completed it, he said: I have heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saying: This is how the hypocrite prays: he sits watching the sun, and when it is between the horns of devil, he rises and strikes the ground four times (in haste) mentioning Allah a little during it.

Abu Umama b. Sahl reported: We offered the noon prayer with Umar b. 'Abd al-'Aziz. We then set out till we came to Anas b. Malik and found him busy in saying the afternoon prayer. I said to him: O uncle! which is this prayer that you are offering? He said: It is the afternoon prayer and this is the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) that we offered along with him.

Anas b. Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) led us in the afternoon prayer. When he completed it, a person from Bani Salama came to him and said: Messenger of Allah, we intend to slaughter our came and we are desirous that you should also be present there (on this occasion). He (the Holy Prophet) said: Yes. He (the person) went and we also went along with him and we found that the camel had not been slaughtered yet. Then it was slaughtered, and it was cut into pieces and then some of those were cooked, and then we ate (them) before the setting of the sun. This hadith has also been narrated by another chain of transmitters.

Rafi' b. Khadij reported: We used to say the afternoon prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), and then the camel was slaughtered and ten parts of it were distributed; then it was cooked and then we ate this cooked meat before the sinking of the sun.

This hadith has been reported by 'Auza'i with the same chain of transmitters: We used to slaughter the camel during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) after the 'Asr prayer, but he made no mention of: "We used to pray along with him."

Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: He who misses the afternoon prayer, it is as though he has been deprived of his family and his property.

This hadith has been narrated as Marfu by another chain of transmitters.

Abdullah relates on the authority of his father. He who missed his afternoon prayer it is as though he was deprived of his family and property.

'Ali reported: When it was the day (of the Battle) of Ahzab, the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: May Allah fill their graves and houses with fire, as they detained us and diverted us from the middle prayer, till the sun set.

This hadith has been narrated by Hisham with the same chain of transmitters.

'Ali reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: On the day (of the Battle) of Ahzab we were diverted from the middle prayer, till the sun set. May Allah fill their graves or their houses, or their stomachs with fire. The narrator is in doubt about "houses" and "stomachs".

This hadith has heed narrated by Qatada with the same chain of transmitters. And he said: Their houses and their graves (be filled with fire), and did not express doubt over the words, "houses" and "graves".

Yahya heard 'Ali saying that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said on the day (of the Battle) of Ahzab, while sitting in one of the openings of the ditch: They (the enemies) have diverted us from the middle prayer till the sun set. May Allah fill their graves and their houses with fire, or their graves and stomachs with fire.

'Ali reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said on the day (of the Battle) of Ahzab: They diverted us from saying the middle prayer, i.e. the 'Asr prayer. May Allah fill their houses and graves with fire; he then observed this prayer between the evening prayer and the night prayer.

'Abdullah (b. Mas'ud) reported that the polytheists detained the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) from observing the afternoon prayer till the sun became red or it became yellow. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: They have diverted us from (offering) the middle prayer. i.e. the 'Asr prayer. May Allah fill their bellies and their graves with fire, or he said: May Allah stuff their bellies and their graves with fire.

Abu Yunus, the freed slave of 'A'isha said: 'A'isha ordered me to transcribe a copy of the Qur'an for her and said: When you reach this verse: "Guard the prayers and the middle prayer" (ii. 238), inform me; so when I reached it, I informed her and she gave me dictation (like this): Guard the prayers and the middle prayer and the afternoon prayer, and stand up truly obedient to Allah. 'A'isha said: This is how I have heard from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him).

Al-Bara' b. 'Azib reported: This verse was revealed (in this way): "Guard the prayers and the 'Asr prayer." We recited it (in this very way) so long as Allah desired. Allah, then, abrogated it and it was revealed: "Guard the prayers, and the middle prayer." A person who was sitting with Shaqiq (one of the narrators in the chain of transmitters) said: Now it implies the 'Asr prayer. Upon this al-Bara' said: I have already informed you how this (verse) was revealed and how Allah abrogated it, and Allah knows best. Imam Muslim said: Ashja'i narrated it from Sufyan al-Thauri, who narrated it from al-Aswad b. Qais, who narrated it from 'Uqba, who narrated it from al-Bara' b. 'Azib who said: We recited with the Prophet (may peace be upon him) (the above-mentioned verse like this, i.e. instead of Salat al- Wusta, Salat al-'Asr) for a certain period. as It has been mentioned (in the above-quoted hadith).

Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported that Umar b. al-Khattab had been cursing the pagans of the Quraish an the day (of the Battle) of Khandaq (Ditch). (He came to the Holy Prophet) and said: Messenger of Allah, by God, I could not say. the 'Asr prayer till the sun set. Upon this the Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: By Allah I, too, have not observed it. So we went to a valley. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) performed ablution and we too performed ablution, and then the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said the 'Asr prayer after the sun had set. and then said the evening prayer after it.

This hadith has been reported by Yahya b. Abd Kathir with the same chain of transmitters.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Angels take turns among you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the dawn and afternoon prayers. Those (of the angels) who spend the night among you, then, ascend, and their Lord asks them, though He is the best informed about them : How did you leave My servants? -they say: We left them while they were praying and we came to them while they were praying.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Angels take turns among you by night and by day, and the rest of the hadith is the same.

Jarir b. Abdullah is reported to have said: We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) that he looked at the full moon and observed: You shall see your Lord as you are seeing this moon, and you will not be harmed by seeing Him. So if you can, do not let -yourselves be overpowered in case of prayer observed before the rising of the sun and its setting, i.e. the 'Asr prayer and the morning prayer. Jarir then recited it: "Celebrate the praise of thy Lord before the rising of the sun and before Its setting" (xx. 130).

Waki' reported (this hadith) with the same chain of transmitters (that the Holy Prophet) said: You will be soon presented before your Lord, and you will see Him as you are seeing this moon, and then recited (the above-mentioned verse). But (in this hadith) no mention is made of Jarir.

'Umara b. Ruwaiba is reported to have said on the authority of his father: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saying: He who observed prayer before the rising of the son and its setting, i. e. the dawn prayer and the afternoon prayer, would not cater the (Hell) fire. A person belonging to Basra said to him : Did you yourself bear it from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)? He said: Yes. The person (from Basra) said: I bear witness that I heard it from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him); my ears heard it and my heart retained it.

Umara b. Ruwaiba reported on the authority of his father that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: He who said prayer before the rising of the sun and its setting would not enter the fire (of Hell), and there was a man from Basra (sitting) beside him who said: Did you hear it from the Apostle of Allah (way peace be upon him)? He said: Yes, I bear witness to it. The man from Basra said: I bear witness that I did hear from the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) saying it from the place that you heard from him.

Abu Bakr reported on the authority of his father that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: He who observed two prayers at two cool (hours) would enter Paradise.

This hadith has been narrated by the same chain of transmitters by Hammam, and said about Abu Bakr that he was Ibn Abu Musa.

Salama b. al-Akwa' reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to say the evening prayer when the sun had set and disappeared (behind the horizon).

Rafi' b. Khadij reported: We used to observe the evening prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and then one of us would go away and he could see the (distant) place where his arrow would fall.

A hadith like this, i.e. "We used to observe evening prayer …." so on and so forth, has been narrated by Rafi' b. Khadij by another chain of transmitters.

'A'isha. the wife of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him), reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) deferred one night the 'Isya' prayer. And this is called 'Atama. And the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) did not come out till Umar b. Khattab told (him) that the women and children had gone to sleep. So the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) came out towards them and said to the people of the mosque: None except you from the people of the earth waits for it (for the night prayer at this late hour), and it was before Islam had spread amongst people. And in the narration transmitted by Ibn Shihab the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) is reported to have said: It is not meant that you should compel the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) for prayer. And (this he said) when 'Umar b. Khattab called (the Holy Prophet) in a loud voice.

A hadith like this has been narrated by Ibn Shihab with the same chain of transmitters, but therein no mention has been made of the words of al-Zuhri: It was narrated to me, and that which followed.

'A'isha reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) one night delayed (observing the 'Isya' prayer) till a great part of the night was over and the people in the mosque had gone to sleep. He (the Holy Prophet) then came out and observed prayer and said: This is the proper time for it; were it not that I would impose a burden on my people (I would normally pray at this time). In the hadith transmitters by 'Abd al-Razzaq (the words are): "Were it not that it would impose burden on my people."

Abdullah b. Umar reported: We waited one night in expectation of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) for the last prayer of the night, and he came out to us when a third of the night had passed even after that. We do not know whether he had been occupied with family business or something else. When he came cut he said: You are waiting for prayer, for which the followers of no other religion wait. except you. Were it not a burden for my Ummah, I would have led them (in the 'Isya' prayer) at this hour. He then ordered the Mu'adhdbin (to call for prayer) and then stood up for prayer and observed prayer.

Abdullah b. 'Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was one night occupied (in some work) and he delayed it ('Isya' prayer) till we went to sleep in the mosque. We then woke up and again went to sleep and again woke up. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) then came to us and said: None among the people of the earth except you waits for prayer in the night.

Thabit reported: They (the believers) asked Anas about the ring of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and he said: One night the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) delayed (observing) the 'Isya' prayer up to the midnight or midnight was about to be over. He then came and said: (Other) people have offered prayers and slept, but you are constantly in prayer as long as you wait for prayer. Anas said: I perceive as if I am seeing the lustre of his silver ring, and lifted his, small left finger (in order to show how the Holy Prophet had lifted it).

Anas b. Malik reported: We waited for the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon hi n) one night, till it was about midnight. He (the Holy Prophet) came and observed prayer and then turned his face towards us, as it I was seeing the lustre of the silver ring on his finger.

This hadith has been narrated by Qurra with the same chain of transmitters, but therein he did not mention: "He turned his face towards us."

Abu Musa reported: I and my companions who had sailed along with me in the boat landed with me in the valley of Buthan while the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was staying in Medina. A party of people amongst them went to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) every night at the time of the 'Isya' prayer turn by turn. Abu Musa said: (One night) we (I and my companions) went to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and he was occupied in some matter till there was a delay in prayer so much so that it was the middle of the night. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) then came out and led them (Musa's companions) in prayer. And when he had observed his prayer he said to the audience present: Take it easy, I am going to give you information and glad tidings that it is the blessing of Allah upon you for there is none among the people, except you, who prays at this hour (of the night), or he said: None except you observed prayer at this. (late) hour. He (i.e. the narrator) said: I am not sure which of these two sentences he actually uttered. Abu Musa, said: We came back happy for what we heard from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him).

Ibn Juraij reported: I said to Ata': Which time do you deem fit for me to say the 'Isya' prayer,-as an Imam or alone,-that time which is called by people 'Atama? He said: I heard Ibn 'Abbas saying: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) one night delayed the 'Isya' prayer till the people went to sleep. They woke up and again went to sleep and again woke up. Then 'Umar b. Khattab stood up and said (loudly) "Prayer." Ata' further reported that Ibn 'Abbas said: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) came out, and as if I am still seeing him with water trickling from his head, and with his hand placed on one side of the head, and he said: Were it not hard for my Ummah, I would have ordered them to observe this prayer like this (i.e. at late hours). I inquired from 'Ata' how the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) placed his hand upon his head as Ibn Abbas had informed. So Ata' spread his fingers a little and then placed the ends of his fingers on the side of his head. He then moved them like this over his head till the thumb touched that part of the ear which is near the face and then it (went) to the earlock and the part of the heard. It (the bind) neither held nor caught anything but this is how (it moved oil). I said to Ata': Was it mentioned to you (by Ibn Abbas) how long did the Apostle (may peace be upon him) delay it (the prayer) during that eight? He said: I do not know (I cannot give you the exact time). Ali' said: I love that I should say prayer, whether as an Imam or alone at delayed hours as the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said that night, but if It is hard upon you in your individual capacity or upon people in the congregation and you are their Imam, then say prayer ('Isya') at the middle hours neither too early nor too late.

Jabir b. Samura reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) postponed the last 'Isya' prayer.

Jabir b. Samura reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe prayers like your prayers, but he would delay the prayer after nightfall to a little after the time you observed it, and he would shorten the prayer.

Abdullah b. 'Umar reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: Let the bedouin not gain upper hand over you in regard to the name of your prayer. See I (The night prayer should be called) 'Isya' (and the bedouins call it Atama (because) they milk their camels late.

Ibn 'Umar said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Let the bedouin not gain upper band over you In regard to the name of your prayer, i.e. night prayer, for it is mentioned 'Isya' in the Book of Allah (i.e. the Qur'an). (The bedouin call it 'Atama because) they make delay in milling their she-camels.