O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us” (Al-Qur’an; 43:77). (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Umm Hisham daughter of Haritha b. an-Nu‘man said she learned “Qaf. By the glorious Qur’an” (Al-Qur’an; 50) from no other source than the tongue of God’s Messenger who used to recite it every Friday on the pulpit when he preached to the people. Muslim transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Huraith said the Prophet preached on Friday wearing a black turban the ends of which he let hang between his shoulders. Muslim transmitted it.

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying in the course of a sermon, “When one of you comes on Friday while the imam is preaching, he should pray two rak'as and make them short.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone is in time for a rak‘a in the prayer along with the imam he has said the whole prayer.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Umar said that the Prophet used to deliver two sermons. He would sit down when he ascended the pulpit till he (I think he meant the mu’adhdhin) was finished. He would then stand up and preach, then sit down and say nothing, then stand up and preach. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud said, “When the Prophet sat down on the pulpit we faced him.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, and said this was a tradition he knew only among the traditions of Muhammad b. al-Fadl who was weak and whose traditions were not accepted.

Jabir b. Samura said, “The Prophet used to preach standing, then he would sit down, then stand and preach standing. If anyone tells you he preached sitting he is lying. I swear by God that I prayed along with him on more than two thousand occasions.” Muslim transmitted it.

Look at this scoundrel who is sitting while he preaches, though God most high has said, “But when they see merchandise or diversion they disperse to it and leave you standing” (Al-Qur’an; 62:11). Muslim transmitted it.

‘Umara b. Ruwaiba said he saw Bishr b. Marwan on the pulpit raising his hands and said, “God reject these hands! I have seen God’s Messenger gesture* no more than this with his hand;” and he pointed with his forefinger. *Literally, say. Muslim transmitted it.

Jabir said that when God’s Messenger seated himself on the pulpit on a Friday he said, “Sit down.” Ibn Mas'ud heard that and sat down at the door of the mosque, and when God’s Messenger saw him he said, “Come here, ‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone is in time for a rak'a of the Friday prayer he should pray another as well, but if one misses the two rak'as he should pray four.” Or he said, “The noon prayer.” Daraqutni transmitted it.

I went on an expedition with God’s Messenger to Najd, and when we came in front of the enemy we drew up in line facing them. God’s Messenger then stood up and led us in prayer, and one section stood up along with him while another faced the enemy. He prayed a rak'a with those who were with him and made two prostrations, and then they changed places with those who had not prayed. When they came God’s Messenger prayed a rak'a with them and made two prostrations, then he uttered the salutation and each of them got up and left, after which he prayed a rak'a alone and made two prostrations. Nafi‘ transmitted something similar, adding that when there was greater cause for fear than on that occasion they prayed standing on their feet or mounted, without considering whether or not they were facing the qibla. Nafi‘ said he thought God’s Messenger was the one on whose authority Ibn ‘Umar mentioned that. Bukhari transmitted it.

Yazid b. Ruman told on the authority of Salih b. al-Khawwat on the authority of one who prayed in time of danger along with God’s Messenger at the battle of Dhat ar-Riqa'* that a section formed a line along with him and a section faced the enemy. He led the section which was along with him in a rak'a, then remained standing while they finished the prayer by themselves. They then departed and drew up in line facing the enemy, and when the other party came he led them in the remaining rak'a of his prayer, after which he remained seated while they finished the prayer by themselves. He then led them in uttering the salutation. * This was during an expedition against some sections of Ghatafan in 4 A.H (Bukhari and Muslim.) Bukhari rendered it also by another line from al-Qasim from Salih b. al-Khawwat from Sahl b. Abu Hathma from the Prophet.

We went forward with God’s Messenger, and when we reached Dhat ar-Riqa‘ we came to a shady tree which we left for him. One of the polytheists came along and seeing the sword of God’s Messenger hanging on a tree he took it, drew it from the scabbard and said to him, "Are you afraid of me?” On being told that he was not, he asked, “Who will protect you from me?” He replied, “God will protect me from you.” Then the companions of God’s Messenger threatened him, and he sheathed the sword and hung it up. The call to prayer was made and he led a section in two rak'as, after which they withdrew and he led the other section in two rak'as, so that God’s Messenger prayed four rak'as and the people prayed two. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

God’s Messenger led us in the prayer in time of danger and we drew up in two rows behind him with the enemy between us and the qibla. The Prophet said, "God is most great” and we all said it; then he bowed and we all bowed; then he raised his head after bowing and we all raised ours; then he and the row next him went down in prostration while the rear row stood facing the enemy; then when the Prophet finished the prostration and the row next him stood up, the rear row went down in prostration; then they stood up; then the rear row went to the front and the front row to the rear; then the Prophet bowed and we all bowed; then he raised his head after bowing and we all raised ours; then he and the row next him which had been in the rear in the first rak'a went down in prostration while the rear row stood facing the enemy; then when the Prophet and the row next him finished the prostration the rear row went down and prostrated them selves; then the Prophet, uttered the salutation and we all did so. Muslim transmitted it.

Jabir said the Prophet was leading the people in the noon prayer in time of danger in a valley with palm trees.* He led a section in two rak'as after which he uttered the salutation; then another section came and he led them in two rak'as after which he uttered the salutation. *The Arabic is bi-bain nakhl. Mirqat, 2, 244, says this is the name of a place between Mecca and at-Ta’if; but the name of that place is Nakhla. Alternatively it is said to be Batn an-nakhl near Medina. [Baghawi] transmitted it in Sharh as-sunna.

Abu Huraira told how when God's Messenger encamped between Dajnan and ‘Usfan1 the polytheists said, “These people observe a prayer which is dearer to them than their fathers and their sons, and it is the afternoon prayer, so join together and attach them in a single rush.”2 But Gabriel came to the Prophet and ordered him to divide his companions into two divisions and lead one section in prayer while another stood behind them on guard and armed. They would pray one rak'a and God’s Messenger two. 1. Dajnan is a mountain near Mecca and ‘Usfan, a place two days’ journey from Mecca on the way to Medina. 2. Cf. Al-Qur'an; 4:102. Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Abu Saud al-Khudri said that the Prophet used to go out on the day of the breaking of the fast and the day of sacrifice to the place of prayer, and the first thing he did was to pray. When he finished he would stand facing the people who were seated in their rows, deliver an exhortation, issue instructions and give them commands. If he intended to send out an army he did so, or if he had any special orders he gave them, and then departed. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jabir b. Samura said, “I prayed along with God’s Messenger at the two festivals, not only once or twice, without an adhan or an iqama." Muslim transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar said that God’s Messenger, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar used to say the festival prayers before the sermon. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Abbas was asked whether he had been present at the festival prayer along with God’s Messenger and replied, “Yes, God’s Messenger came out and prayed, then preached a sermon (no mention being made of adhan or iqama). He then went to the women, gave them an exhortation and admonition and ordered them to give alms. I then saw them putting their hands to their ears and necks and giving [some of their jewellery] to Bilal, after which Bilal and he went off to his house.’’ (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Abbas said that on the day of the breaking of the fast the Prophet prayed two rak'as, before and after which he did not pray. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

We were commanded to bring out the men-struous women and those who were secluded on the day of the two festivals so that they might be present at the congregational prayer of the Muslims and their supplication, but the menstruous women had to keep at a distance from their place of prayer. A woman said, “Messenger of God, one of our number does not possess an outer garment." He replied, “Let her friend lend her hers." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A’isha said that Abu Bakr came to visit her during the days spent at Mina when she had with her two girls who were playing the tambourine—a version says they were singing what the Ansar said to one another at the battle of Bu'ath*-while the Prophet was wrapped in his garment. Abu Bakr rebuked them, whereupon the Prophet uncovered his face and said, “Let them alone, Abu Bakr; these are days of festival." In a version [he said], “Abu Bakr, every people has a festival, and this is ours.” *This battle was fought some years before the Hijra between the two Medina tribes, Aus and Khazraj. The reference here is to poems composed by members of the parties in praise of their tribe. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas said that God’s Messenger did not go out in the morning on the day of the breaking of the fast till he ate some dates, and he would eat an odd number. Bukhari transmitted it.

Jabir said that on a festival day the Prophet would return by a different road from the one he had taken when going out. Bukhari transmitted it.

The Prophet addressed us on the day of sacrifice saying, “The first thing we do on this day of ours is to pray; then we return and sacrifice. If anyone does that he has correctly followed our custom; but if anyone makes sacrifice before praying, it is only mutton* he has got ready beforehand for his family, and has nothing to do with the rites." *It counts merely as ordinary food, and is not reckoned as a sacrifice. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jundub b. ‘Abdallah al-Bajali reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone sacrifices before the prayer, he must sacrifice another animal in place of it; but anyone who does not sacrifice till we have prayed must then sacrifice in God’s name." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Al-Bara’ reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone sacrifices before the prayer, he is sacrificing only for himself; but if anyone sacrifices after the prayer, his rites are complete and he has correctly followed the practice of the Muslims." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Umar said that God’s Messenger used to sacrifice and slaughter at the place of prayer. Bukhari transmitted it. Idain, 22, where “the Prophet” occurs in place of “God’s Messenger.”

Anas said that when the Prophet came to Medina the people had two days on which they engaged in games. Having asked what their significance was and being told that they had engaged in games on them in the pre-Islamic period, he said, “God has substituted for them something better than them, the day of sacrifice and the day of the breaking of the fast.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Buraida said that the Prophet did not go out on the day of the breaking of the fast till he had some food, but that he did not take any food on the day of sacrifice till he had prayed. Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Kathir b. ‘Abdallah on his father’s authority quoted his grandfather as saying that at the two festivals the Prophet said “God is most great” seven times in the first rak'a before reciting from the Qur’an, and five times in the last one before reciting. Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Ja'far b. Muhammad told in mursal form that the Prophet, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar said “God is most great” at the two festivals and when praying for rain seven times in the first rak'a and five times in the second. They prayed before the sermon, and recited the Qur’an in a loud voice. Shafi‘i transmitted it.

Sa'id b. al-‘As said he asked Abu Musa and Hudhaifa how God’s Messenger said “God is most great” on the day of sacrifice and of the breaking of the fast. Abu Musa said he uttered it four times as he did at funerals and Hudhaifa said that that was correct. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Al-Bara’ said that the Prophet was handed a bow on the day of the breaking of the fast and delivered the sermon leaning on it. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Ata’ told in mursal form that when the Prophet preached he would lean on his javelin. Shafi'i transmitted it.

On a festival day when I was present at the prayer along with the Prophet he first observed the prayer without adhan or iqama before the sermon. Then when he finished the prayer he stood up leaning on Bilal, praised and extolled God, gave the people an exhortation and an admonition and urged them to obey Him. He then went to the women, taking Bilal with him, commanded them to fear God and gave them an exhortation and an admonition. Nasa'i transmitted it.

Abu Huraira said that when the Prophet went out by one road on the festival day he returned by another. Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it.

He said that rain fell on a festival day and the Prophet led them in the festival prayer in the mosque. Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abul Huwairith said that God’s Messenger wrote to ‘Amr b. Hazm when he was in Najran telling him to observe the prayer early on the day of sacrifice and late on the day of the breaking of the fast, and to admonish the people. Shafi'i transmitted it.

Abu ‘Umair b. Anas told on the authority of some of his paternal uncles who were companions of the Prophet that some men came riding to the Prophet and testified that they had seen the new moon the previous day. He therefore commanded the people to break the fast and go out to their place of prayer in the morning. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

‘Ata’ informed me on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas and Jabir b. ‘Abdallah that the adhan was not called on the day of the breaking of the fast or on the day of sacrifice. I later asked him, i.e., ‘Ata’, about that, and he told me that Jabir b. ‘Abdallah told him there was no adhan for the prayer on the day of the breaking of the fast when the imam came out or after he came out, no iqama and no summons; there was nothing, no summons or iqama that day. Muslim transmitted it.

God's Messenger used to go out on the day of sacrifice and the day of the breaking of the fast, first of all pray, and when he had prayed stand up facing the people while they were seated in their place of prayer. If he had cause to send out an expedition he mentioned it to the people, or if he required anything else he gave them commands about it, and he would say, “Give alms, give alms, give alms." Those who gave most were the women. Then he would go away. This practice went on till the time of Marwan b. al-Hakam.* I went out hand in hand with Marwan, and when we came to the place of prayer we saw that Kathir b. as Salt had built a pulpit of clay and brick. Marwan began to tug me with his hand as though he were pulling me towards the pulpit, while I was pulling him towards the prayer. When I saw what he was doing I said, “What has happened to the practice of beginning with prayer?" He replied, “No, Abu Sa'id, what you are familiar with has been abandoned." I thereupon said three times, “By no means, by Him in whose hand my soul is, you are not doing something better than what I am familiar with." Then he went away. *Ummayyad Caliph, 64-65 A.H. Muslim transmitted it.

I saw him placing his foot on their sides and saying, "In the name of God. God is most great.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A’isha said that God’s Messenger ordered a horned ram with black legs, a black belly and black round the eyes, and it was brought for him to sacrifice. He told ‘A’isha to get the knife, and then told her to sharpen it with a stone. When she had done so he took it, then taking the ram he placed it on the ground and cut its throat. He then said, "In the name of God. O God, accept it from Muhammad, Muhammad’s family and Muhammad’s people.” Then he sacrificed it. Muslim transmitted it.

Jabir reported God's Messenger as saying, "Sacrifice only a full- grown animal unless it is difficult for you, in which case sacrifice a she-lamb.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Uqba b. ‘Amir said the Prophet gave him some goats to divide among his friends as sacrificial animals, and a yearling remained over. He mentioned it to God’s Messenger, and he said, "Sacrifice it yourself.” In a version he said he told God’s Messenger he had got a lamb, and he replied, "Sacrifice it.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Umar said that the Prophet used to sacrifice and slaughter at the place of prayer. Bukhari transmitted it. (Cf. Chap. 48a)