The Prophet (PBUH) said, "In the morning, charity is due on every joint bone of the body of everyone of you. Every utterance of Allah's Glorification (i.e., saying Subhan Allah) is an act of charity, and every utterance of His Praise (i.e., saying Al-hamdu lillah) is an act of charity and every utterance of declaration of His Greatness (i.e., saying La ilaha illAllah) is an act of charity; and enjoining M'aruf (good) is an act of charity, and forbidding Munkar (evil) is an act of charity, and two Rak'ah Duha prayers which one performs in the forenoon is equal to all this (in reward)."

[Muslim].

“I have been commanded to fight the people until they say La ilaha illallah, and if they say it then their blood and wealth are safe from me, except in cases dictated by sharee'ah, and their reckoning is with Allah.” When some people apostatized, ʼUmar said to Abu Bakr: Will you fight them when you heard the Messenger of Allah is say such and such? Abu Bakr said: By Allah, I will not separate prayer and zakah, and I shall certainly fight anyone who separates them. So we fought them alongside him and we realised that that was the right thing to do.

"We used not to know what we should say in each rak'ah apart from glorifying, magnifying and praising our Lord. But Muhammad (SAW) taught us everything about what is good. He said: "When you sit following every two rak'ahs, then say: At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat, as-salamu 'alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu. As-salamu 'alaina wa 'ala 'ibad illahis-salihin, ashahdu an la illaha ill-Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu (Allah compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah (SWT) and his blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah (SWT). I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger), then choose any supplication that you like and call upon Allah the Mighty and Sublime with it.'"

"We used not to know what to say when we prayed, then the Messenger of Allah (SAW) taught us some eloquent and concise words. He said to us: 'Say: "At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat, as-salamu 'alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu. As-salamu 'alaina wa 'ala 'ibad illahis-salihin, ashahdu an la illaha ill-Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu (Allah compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah (SWT) and his blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah (SWT). I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger)." (One of the narrators) 'Ubaidullah said: "Zaid bin Hammad said, narrating from Ibrahim, that 'Alqamah said: 'I saw Ibn Mas'ud teaching us these words just as he taught us the Quran."

He (the Prophet( used to pray eight rak'ahs during which he did not sit except the eight rak'ahs. He would sit, make mention of Allah, supplicate Him and then utter the salutation so loudly that we could hear it. He would then pray two rak'ahs sitting after he had uttered the salutation. Then he would pray one rak'ah, and that made eleven rak'ahs, O my son. When the Messenger of Allah (saws) grew old and became fleshy, he offered seven rak'ahs of witr, and then he would pray two rak'ahs sitting after he had uttered the salutation. The narrator narrated the tradition to the same effect till the end.

“The Messenger of Allah (saw) woke up red in the face and said: ‘La ilaha illallah, woe to the Arabs from an evil that has drawn nigh. Today a hole has been opened in the barrier of Gog and Magog.’ And he gestured to indicate the size of the hole.” Zainab said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Will we be destroyed when there are righteous people among us?’ He said: ‘If sin and evil deeds increase.’”

Allah's Messenger (SAW) prayed during the month of Ramadan. Then they (the Sahabah) waited for him on the following night, but he did not come out and he said, "I feared that the Witr (prayer) might be prescribed for you." [Reported by Ibn Hibban].

Ibn ‘Umar said, “When travelling I prayed along with the Prophet two rak'as at the noon prayer and two after it.” In a version he said, “I prayed with the Prophet both when resident and when travelling. When resident I prayed along with him four rak'as at the noon prayer and two after it, and when travelling two at it and two after it; two rak'as at the afternoon prayer after which he prayed no more; and both when resident and travelling alike three rak'as at the sunset prayer, in which he never prayed less whether resident or travelling, this being the witr of the daytime. After it he prayed two rak'as.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

“I asked ‘Aishah: ‘O Mother of the Believers! Tell me about the Witr of the Messenger of Allah (saw).’ She said: ‘We used to keep his tooth stick and water for ablution ready for him. Allah would wake him as He willed to during the night, and he would use the tooth stick and perform ablution, then he would pray nine Rak’ah, during which he would not sit until the eighth Rak’ah. Then he would call upon his Lord and remember Allah and praise Him and supplicate to Him. Then he would get up without saying the Salam. Then he would stand up and pray the ninth Rak’ah. Then he would sit and remember Allah and praise Him, and supplicate to his Lord and send blessing upon His Prophet. Then he would say Salam that we could hear. Then he would pray two Rak’ah after the Salam, while he was sitting down. That was eleven Rak’ah. When the Messenger of Allah (saw) grew older and had gained weight, he would pray Witr with seven Rak’ah and then pray two more Rak’ah after he had said the Salam.’”

"Allah's Messenger taught us, that when we sit for every two Rak'ah we should say: (At-Tahyyatulillah, was-salawatu wattayybaat. As-salamu alaika ayyuhannabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu, as-salamu alaina wa ala ibadillahis-salihin. Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah wa ashadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa Rasuluh.) 'All greetings, prayers, and pure words are Allah. Peace be upon you O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and His blessings. Peace be upon us and all of the righteous worshippers of Allah. I testify that nne has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is Allah's servant and Messenger.'"

When the Prophet (PBUH) stood up to offer As-Salat (the prayer) he asked, "Where is Malik bin Ad-Dukhshum?" A man replied: "He is a hypocrite. He does not love Allah and His Messenger." The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Do not say that. Do you not know that he said: La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah),' seeking His Pleasure. Allah has made the fire of Hell unlawful for him who affirms that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The Prophet (PBUH) appointed Mu'adh (May Allah be pleased with him) as governor of Yemen, and at the time of his departure, he instructed him thus: "First of all, call the people to testify 'La ilaha illallah' (there is no true god except Allah) and that I (Muhammad) am the Messenger of Allah, and if they accept this (declaration of Faith), then tell them that Allah has enjoined upon them five Salat during the day and night; and if they obey you, tell them that Allah has made the payment of Zakat obligatory upon them. It should be collected from their rich and distributed among their poor."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

I requested the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) to teach me a supplication which I could recite in my Salat (prayer). Thereupon he said, "Recite: 'Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran, wa la yaghfirudh- dhunuba illa Anta, faghfir li maghfiratan min 'indika, warhamni, innaka Antal-Ghafur-ur-Rahim (O Allah! I have considerably wronged myself. There is none to forgive the sins but You. So grant me pardon and have mercy on me. You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Compassionate)."'

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The Prophet (PBUH) came to visit me one day frightened and he (saws) said: "La ilaha illallah (There is no true God but Allah). Woe to the Arabs because of an evil which has drawn near! Today an opening of this size has been made in the barrier restraining Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog people)." And he (PBUH) made a circle with his thumb and index finger. I said, "O Messenger of Allah! Shall we perish while still there will be righteous people among us?'' He (PBUH) replied, "Yes, when wickedness prevails".

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

from Ubadah bin As-Samit, he said: "I entered upon him while he was dying, so I cried, and he said: "There now, why are you crying? For by Allah, if I am a martyr , then I will intercede for you, and if I can I will benefit you,' then he said: 'By Allah! There is no Hadith which I heard from the Messenger of Allah (SAW) which is good for you but I narrate it to you today, while I am near death. I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) say: "Whoever testifies to La Ilaha Illallah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, then Allah has forbidden the fire for him."

La ilaha ill-Allahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahulhamdu, wa Huwa 'ala kulli shai'in Qadir (There is nothing which deserves to be worshipped except Allah Alone Who has no partner; to Him belongs the kingdom, to Him praise is due, and He has power over everything), his sins will be forgiven, even if they are as abundant as the foam of the sea." [Reported by Muslim].

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "The Witr is a duty, so he who does not offer it, is not one of us." [Reported by Abu Dawud with a Laiyin (weak) chain of narrators and Al-Hakim graded it Sahih (authentic)].

"When we sat during the prayer with the Messenger of Allah (SAW), we used to say: 'Peace (salam) be upon Allah(SWT), peace be upon so-and-so and so-and-so.' The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'Do not say peace (salam) be upon Allah (SWT), for Allah (SWT) is As-Salam (the Source of peace; the One free from all faults). Rather say: At-tahiyyatu lillahi wasalawatu wat-tayibaat, as-salamu 'alaika ayah-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu. As-salamu 'alaina a 'ala ibad illahis-salihin (All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah.) If you say that, it will be for every righteous slave in the heavens and on earth, "ashadu an la ilaha ill Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu (I bear witness that that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.) Then let him choose any supplication that he likes to say after that.'"

“Whoever denies a Verse of the Qur'an, it is permissible to strike his neck (i.e., execute him) Whoever says, Lailaha illallahu wahduhu la sharika lahu, wa anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluhu (None has the right to be worshiped but Allah (SWT) alone, and Muhammad (SAW) is His slave and Messenger), no one has any was of harming him, unless he (does something which) deserves a legal punishment, and it is carried out on him.”

‘A’isha said that between the time when he finished the evening prayer and the dawn prayer the Prophet used to pray eleven rak'as, uttering the salutation at the end of every two and observing the witr,* with a single one, and during that he would make a prostration about as long as one of you would take to recite fifty verses before raising his head. When the mu’adhdhin finished making the call for the dawn prayer and he saw the dawn clearly, he stood up and prayed two short rak'as, then lay down on his right side till the mu’adhdhin came to him for the iqama, whereupon he would go out. *Cf. chap. 36 (Bukhari and Muslim.)

The Witr prayer is not obligatory as the prescribed prayer is [i.e. the five daily prayers], but it is a Sunnah which was established by the practice of Allah's Messenger (SAW). [at-Tirmidhi and an-Nasa'i reported it, who graded it Hasan (good). al-Hakim graded it Sahih (authentic)].

Yahya related to me from Malik that Yahya ibn Said said, "When the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was taken on the Night Journey, he saw an evil jinn seeking him with a torch of fire. Whenever the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, turned, he saw him. Jibril said to him, 'Shall I teach you some words to say? When you say them, his torch will be put out and will fall from him.' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Yes, indeed.' Jibril said, 'Say, 'I seek refuge with the Noble Face of Allah and with the complete words of Allah which neither the good person nor the corrupt can exceed, from the evil of what descends from the sky and the evil of what ascends in it, and from the evil of what is created in the earth and the evil of what comes out of it, and from the trials of the night and day, and from the visitations of the night and day, except for one that knocks with good, O Merciful!" "'

Audhu bi wajhi'llahi' l-karim wa bi kalimati'llahi't-tammati. Allati la yujawazu hunna barra wa la fajir, min sharri ma yanzil min as-sama, wa sharri ma yaruju fiha, wa sham ma dhara' fi'l-ard, wa sharri ma yakhruju minha, wa min fitani'l-layli wa'n-nahar, wa min tawariqi'l-layli wa'n-nahar illa tariqan yatruq bikhayr ya Rahman!

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Every morning charity is due from every joint bone of the body of every one of you. Every utterance of Allah's Glorification (i.e., Subhan-Allah) is an act of charity, and every utterance of praise of Him (i.e., Al-hamdu lillah) is an act of charity, and every utterance of profession of Faith (i.e., La ilaha illallah) is an act of charity, and every utterance of His Greatness (i.e., Allahu Akbar) is an act of charity; and enjoining good is an act of charity and forbidding what is disreputable is an act of charity; and two Rak'ah prayer which one offers in the forenoon (Ad- Duha) will suffice for all this."

[Muslim].

Towards the end of his life, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would supplicate before leaving an assembly thus: "Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, ash-hadu an la ilaha illa Anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilaika (O Allah, You are free from every imperfection; all praise is for You. I testify that there is no true god except You, I ask Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance).'' A man once said to him: "O Messenger of Allah! You have spoken such words as you have never uttered before.'' He said, "It is an expiation of that which goes on in the assembly.''

[Abu Dawud and Al-Hakim].

I went with God’s Messenger on the expedition of the army of distress,* and I had a hired servant who fought with a man, one of whom bit the other’s hand. The one who was bitten drew away his hand from the mouth of the one who bit him, dislodging his front tooth which fell out. He went to the Prophet, but he imposed no retaliation for his front tooth, saying, ‘Could he be expected to leave his hand in your mouth when you were crunching it like a male camel?” (Bukhari and Muslim.) * This refers to the expedition to Tabuk in 9 A H. Cf. Al-Qur'an, 9:117.

It was narrated that ‘Aishah said, and this is the Hadith of Abu Bakr. “During the period after he finished the ‘Isha’ prayer until the Fajr, the Prophet (saw) used to pray eleven Rak’ah, saying the Salam after each two Rak’ah and praying Witr with one Rak’ah. He would prostrate for as long as it takes anyone of you to recite fifty Verses before he would raise his head. When the Mu’adh-dhin fell silent after the first Adhan for the Subh prayer, he would get up and pray two brief Rak’ah.”

God’s Messenger taught me some words to say when standing in supplication during the witr. They were, “O God, guide me among those Thou hast guided, grant me security among those Thou hast granted security, take me into Thy charge among those Thou hast taken into Thy charge, bless me in what Thou hast given, guard me from the evil of what Thou hast decreed, for Thou dost decree and nothing is decreed for Thee. He whom Thou befriendest is not humbled. Blessed and exalted art Thou, our Lord.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

“The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘Urge your dying ones to say: “La ilaha illallahul-Halimul-Karim, Subhan-Allahi Rabbil-‘Arshil-‘Azim, Al-Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil-‘alamin (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Forbearing, the Most Kind. Glory is to Allah, Lord of the magnificent Throne; praise is to Allah, the Lord of the worlds).’” They said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what about those who are alive?’ He said: ‘Even better, even better.’”

"Allah's Messenger would teach us the Tashah-hud just as he would teach us the Qur'an. He would say: (At-Tahiyyatu, al mubarakatu, as-salawatu at-tayyibatulillah. Salamun alaika ayyuhan-naibiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu, salamun alaina wa ala ibadalillahis-salihin. Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa Raduluh.) 'All greetings, goodness, prayers, and pure words are for Allah. Peace be upon you O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and His blessings, Peace be upon us and all of the righteous worshippers of Allah. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is Allah's worshipper and Messenger.'"

"A beggar came to Ibn 'Abbas to beg from him. Ibn 'Abbas said to the beggar: 'Do you testify to La Ilaha Illallah?' He said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Do you testify that Muhammad is the Messenfger of Allah?' He said: 'Yes.' He said: 'You fast(the month of) Ramadan?' He said: 'Yes?' He said: 'You asked, and the one who asked has a right, so you have a right upon us that we give you.' So he gave him a garment then said: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) saying: "No Muslim clothes a Muslim with a garment except that he is under the protection of Allah as long as a shred from it remains upon him."

We were sitting with Messenger of Allah (PBUH). Abu Bakr and 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) were also there among the audience. In the meanwhile Messenger of Allah (PBUH) got up and left us. We waited long for his return: When we were worried about his safety, and got scared, we got up. I, therefore, went out to look for Messenger of Allah and came to a garden which belonged to the Ansar. He (PBUH) said to me "Go and give glad tidings of Jannah to anyone who testifies 'La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah),' being whole-heartedly certain of it"

[Muslim].

I said to `Umar bin al-Khattab. People are shortening the prayer today, and Allah says: “If you fear that the disbelievers may put you in trial (attack you)` [an-Nisa` 4:101). But that time [i.e., time of fear] has gone, He said: I wondered the same thing as you are wondering, and I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about that. He said: `It is a charity that Allah has bestowed upon you, so accept His charity.”

`Abdur-Razzaq told us, Ibn Juraij told us I heard `Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Abdullah bin Abi ‘Ammar narrate... and he mentioned [the same report].

the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "Allah has ninety-nine names, one hundred less one, for He is One and loves the odd (numbered). Whoever learns them will enter Paradise. They are: Allah, Al-Wahid (the One), As-Samad (the Self-Sufficient Master who all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks), Al-Awwal (the First), Al-Akhir (the Last), Az-Zahir (the Most High), Al-Batin (the Most Near), Al-Khaliq (the Creator), Al-Bari (the Inventor of all things), Al-Musawwir (the Bestower of forms), Al-Malik (the King), Al-Haqq (the Truth), As-Salam (the One free from all defects), Al-Mu'min (the Giver of security), Al-Muhaymin (the Watcher over His creatures), Al-'Aziz (the All-Mighty), Al-Jabbar (the Compeller), Al-Mutakabbir (the Supreme), Ar-Rahman (the Most Gracious), Ar-Rahim (the Most Merciful), Al-Latif (the Most Subtle and Courteous), Al-Khabir (the Aware), As-Sami' (the Hearing), Al-Basir (the Seeing), Al-'Alim (the All-Knowing), Al-'Azim (the Most Great), Al-Barr (the Source of goodness), Al-Muta'al (the Most Exalted), Al-Jalil (the Sublime One), Al-Jamil (the Beautiful), Al-Hayy (the Ever-Living), Al-Qayyum (the One Who sustains and protects all that exists), Al-Qadir (the Able), Al-Qahir (the Irrestible), Al-'Ali (the Exalted), Al-Hakim (the Most Wise), Al-Qarib (the Ever-Near), Al-Mujib (the Responsive), Al-Ghani (the Self-Sufficient), Al-Wahhab (the Bestower), Al-Wadud (the Loving), Ash-Shakur (the Appreciative), Al-Majid (the Most Gentle), Al-Wajid (the Patron), Al-Wali (the Governor), Al-Rashid (the Guide), Al-'Afuw (the Pardoner), Al-Ghafur (the Forgiver), Al-Halim (the Forbearing One), Al-Karim (the Most Generous), At-Tawwab (the Acceptor of Repentance), Ar-Rabb (the Lord and Cherisher), Al-Majid (the Most Glorious), Al-Wali (the Helper), Ash-Shahid (the Witness), Al-Mubin (the Manifest), Al-Burhan (the Proof), Ar-Ra'uf (the Compassionate), Ar-Rahim (the Most Merciful), Al-Mubdi' (the Originator), Al-Mu'id (the Restorer), Al-Ba'ith (the Resurrector), Al-Warith (the Supreme Inheritor), Al-Qawi (the All-Strong), Ash-Shadid (the Severe), Ad-Darr (the One Who harms), An-Nafi' (the One Who benefits), Al-Baqi' (the Everlasting), Al-Waqi (the Protector), Al-Khafid (the Humble), Ar-Rafi' (the Exalter), Al-Qabid (the Retainer), Al-Basit (the Expander), Al-Mu'izz (the Honorer), Al-Mudhill (the Humiliator), Al-Muqsit (the Equitable), Ar-Razzaq (the Providor), Dhul-Quwwah (the Powerful), Al-Matin (the Most Strong), Al-Qa'im (the Firm), Ad-Da'im (the Eternal), Al-Hafiz (the Guardian), Al-Wakil (the Trustee), Al-Fatir (the Originator of creation), As-Sami' (the Hearer), Al-Mu'ti (the Giver), Al-Muhyi (the Giver of life), Al-Mumit (the Giver of death), Al-Mani' (the Withholder), Al-Jami' (the Gatherer), Al-Hadi (the Guide), Al-Kafi (the Sufficient), Al-Abad (the Eternal), Al-'Alim (the Knower), As-Sadiq (the Truthful), An-Nur (the Light), Al-Munir (the Giver of light), At-Tamm (the Perfect), Al-Qadim (the Earlier), Al-Witr (the One), Al-Ahad (the Lone), As-Samad [(the Self-sufficient Master, Who all creatures need, (He neither eats no drinks)]. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none co-equal or comparable unto him."(One of the narrators) Zuhair said: We heard from more than one of the scholars that the first of these (names) should begin after saying: La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, bi yadihil-khair wa Huwa 'ala kulli shay-in Qadir, la ilaha illallahu lahul-asma'ul-husna [None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, with no partner or associate. His is the dominion and all praise is His. In His Hand is (all) goodness, and He is Able to do all things, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and His are the (Most) Beautiful Names].

I spent a night with the Prophet (saws) to see how he prayed. He got up, performed ablution and prayed two rak'ahs. His standing was like his bowing (i.e. equal in duration), and his bowing was like his prostration (equal in length). Then he slept. Afterwards he awoke, performed ablution, and used tooth-stick. He then recited five verses from Surah Al-'Imran : "In the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day". He went on doing so till he prayed ten rak'ahs. He then stood up and prayed one rak'ah observing witr with it. In the meantime the mu'adhdhin called to prayer. The Messenger of Allah (saws) stood up after the mu'adhdhin had kept silent. He prayed two light rak'ahs and remained sitting till he offered the dawn prayer.

Abu Dawud said: A part of the tradition transmitted by Ibn Bashshar remained hidden from me.

How would the Messenger of Allah (saws) pray during the night ? He replied: I spent a night with him when he was with Maimunah. He slept and awoke when half the night or one-third of it had passed. He stood up and went to a leather bad containing water. He performed ablution and I also performed ablution with him. He then stood up and I also stood at his left side. He made me stand at his right side. He then put his hand upon my head, as he was touching my ear and awakening me. He then prayed two light rak'ahs and recited Surah al-Fatihah in each of them, and uttered the salutation. He then prayed eleven rak'ahs observing the witr and slept. Then Bilal came to him and said: Prayer, Messenger of Allah. He got up and prayed two rak'ahs, and then led the people in the prayer.

Sa'd ibn Hisham said: I came to Medina and called upon Aisha, and said to her: Tell me about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (saws).

She said: The Messenger of Allah (saws) used to lead the people in the night prayer, and then go to his bed and sleep. When midnight came he got up, went to answer the call of nature and to perform ablution with water. Having performed ablution, he entered the mosque and prayed eight rak'ahs.

To my mind he performed the recitation of the Qur'an, bowing and prostrating equally. He then observed witr with one rak'ah and prayed two rak'ahs sitting. Then he lay down on the ground. Sometimes Bilal came to him and called him for prayer. He then dozed, and sometimes I doubted whether he dozed or not, till he (Bilal) called him for prayer.

This is the prayer he offered till he grew old or put on weight. She then mentioned how he put on weight as Allah wished.

I went to ‘A’isha and said, “Mother of the faithful, tell me about the nature of God’s Messenger.” She asked, “Do you not recite the Qur’an?” On my replying that I certainly did, she said, “The Prophet’s nature was the Qur’an.”* I said, “Mother of the faithful, tell me about the witr of God’s Messenger.” She replied, “I used to prepare his toothstick and his water for ablution, and God would rouse him to the extent He wished during the night. He would use the toothstick, perform ablution, and pray nine rak'as, sitting only during the eighth of them, then he would make mention of God, praise and supplicate Him, then he would get up without uttering the salutation and pray the ninth. After that he would sit, make mention of God, praise and supplicate Him, then utter a salutation loud enough for me to hear. He would then pray two rak'as sitting after uttering the salutation, and that made eleven rak'as, sonny. But when God’s Messenger grew old and became fleshy he observed a witr of seven, doing in the two rak'as, as he had done formerly, and that made nine, sonny. When God’s prophet prayed a prayer he liked to keep on observing it, but when sleep or pain made it impossible for him to get up during the night; he prayed twelve rak'as during the day. I am not aware of God’s prophet having recited the whole Qur’an in a night, or praying through a whole night till morning, or fasting a complete month, except Ramadan.” *i.e. the good characteristics included in the Qur’an were shown by the Prophet in his own life. Muslim transmitted it.

Sa'eed bin Abi Sa'eed Al-Maqburi narrated that Abu Salamah informed him that he had asked Aishah: "How was the Salat of Allah's Messenger (A) [at night] during Ramadan?" She said: "Allah's Messenger (S) would pray - neither in Ramadan nor in any other month - more than eleven Rak'ah. He would pray four, and do not ask about their excellence or length, then he would pray four, and do not ask about their excellence or length, then he would pray three." Aishah said: "I asked: 'O Messenger of Allah! Do you sleep before having performed Witr?" He said: 'O Aishah! Indeed my eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep.'"

In the first rak'a he recited, “Glorify the name of your most high Lord,”¹ in the second, “Say, O infidels,”² and in the third, “Say, He is God, One,”³ and al-Mu‘awwidhatan.⁴ 1. Al-Qur’an; 87 2. Al-Qur’an; 109 3. Al-Qur’an; 112 4. Al-Qur’an; 113-114 Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it. Nasa’i transmitted it from ‘Abd ar-Rahman b. Abza, Ahmad from Ubayy b. Ka‘b, and Darimi from Ibn ‘Abbas, but the last two did not mention al-Mu'awwidhatan.

"In the first rakʿah of witr (prayer), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to recite: “Sabbiḥ isma rabbikal-aʿlā (Sūrat al-Aʿlā), in the second, Qul yā ayyuhal kāfirūn (Sūrat al-Kāfirūn), and in the third (rakʿah), Qul huwa Allāhu aḥad (Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ).” Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1699.

"In the first rakʿah of witr (prayer), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to recite: “Sabbiḥ isma rabbikal-aʿlā (Sūrat al-Aʿlā), in the second, Qul yā ayyuhal kāfirūn (Sūrat al-Kāfirūn), and in the third (rakʿah), Qul huwa Allāhu aḥad (Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ).” Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1700.

"Abdul-'Aziz bin 'Abdul-Malik bin Abu Mahdhurah narrated from 'Abdullah bin muhairiz who was an orphan under the care of Abu Mahdhurah bin mi'yar that when he was preparing him to travel to Sham, he said: 'O my uncle, I am going out to Sham, and I will be asked about how you started the Adhan.' So he informed me that. Abu Mahdhurah said: 'I went out with a group of people, and we were somewhere on the road, when the Mu'adh-dhin of the Messenger of Allah gave the call to prayer in the presence of the Messenger of Allah. We heard the voice of the Mu'adh-dhin, and we were shunning it (the Adhan), so we started yelling, imitating it and mocking it. The Messenger of Allah heard us, so he sent some people who brought us to sit in front of him. He said: 'Who is the one whose voice I heard so loud?' The people all pointed to me, and they were telling the truth. He sent them all away, but kept me there and said to me: 'Stand up and give the call to prayer.' I stood up and there was nothing more hateful to me than the Messenger of Allah and what he was telling me to do. I stood up in front of the Messenger of Allah and the Messenger of Allah himself taught me the call. He said: "Say: 'Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar; Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah, Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah; Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah, Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah (Allah is the Most great, Allah is the most Great, Allah is the most Great, Allah is the most Great; I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah; I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah).'" Then he said: "Raise your voice (and say). Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah, Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah; Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah, Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah; Hayya 'alal-salah, Hayya 'alal-salah; Hayya 'alal-falah, Hayya 'alal-falah; Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar; La ilaha illallah (I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah; I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; Come to the Prayer, Come to the Prayer; Come to the prosperity, Come to the prosperity; Allah is the Most great, Allah is the Most Great; None has the right to be worshipped but Allah).'" Then he called me when I had finished saying the Adhan, and gave me a small bag in which there was some silver. Then he put his hand on the forelock of Abu Mahdhurah, then passed it over his face, then over his chest, and over his heart, until the hand of the Messenger of Allah reached his navel. Then the Messenger of Allah said: 'May Allah bless you and send blessings upon you.' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, do you command me to give the call to prayer in Makkah?' He said: 'Yes, I command you (to do so).' Then all the hatred I had felt towards the Messenger of Allah disappeared, and was replaced with love for the Messenger of Allah. I came to 'Attab bin Asid, the governor of the Messenger of Allah in Makkah, and gave the call to prayer with him by command of the Messenger of Allah." (Sahih)He ('Abdul-'Aziz) said: "Someone who met Abu Mahdhurah told me the same as 'Abdullah bin Muhairiz told me."

he said to the Messenger of Allah (saas): "Teach me a supplication which I can say during my prayer." He said: "Say: Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran wa la yaghfirudh-dhunub illa Anta, faghfirli maghfiratan min 'indika warhamni, innaka Antal-Ghafurur-Rahim (O Allah, I have wronged myself greatly and no one forgives sins but You, so grant me forgiveness from You and have mercy on me, for You are the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful)."

"When Allah;s Messenger stood for Salat during the night, he would say the Takbir (Allahu Akbar), then say: (Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa Tabarakasmuka wa Ta'ala Jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk.) 'Glorious You are O Allah, and with Your praise, and blesses is Your Name, and exalted is Your majesty, and none has the right to be worshipped but You' Then he would say: (A'udhu Bilahi As-Sami'il-Alimi min Ash-Shaitanir-Rajimi, min Hamzihi Wa Nafkhihi wa Nafthihi.)" 'Allah is undoubtedly the greatest.' (Allahu Akbaru Kabira). Then he would say: 'I seek refuge in Allah the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, from the cursed Shaitan, from his madness, his arrogance, and his poetry.'

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) sent me as a governor to Yemen and (at the time of departure) he instructed me thus: "You will go to people of the Scripture (i.e., the Jews and the Christians). First of all invite them to testify that La ilaha ill Allah (There is no true god except Allah) and that Muhammad (PBUH) is His slave and Messenger; and if they accept this, then tell them that Allah has enjoined upon them five Salat (prayers) during the day and night; and if they accept it, then tell them that Allah has made the payment of Zakat obligatory upon them. It should be collected from their rich and distributed among their poor; and if they agree to it, don't take (as a share of Zakat) the best of their properties. Beware of the supplications of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

"In the first rakʿah of witr (prayer), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to recite: “Sabbiḥ isma rabbikal-aʿlā (Sūrat al-Aʿlā), in the second, Qul yā ayyuhal kāfirūn (Sūrat al-Kāfirūn), and in the third (rakʿah), Qul huwa Allāhu aḥad (Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ).” Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1700

"I was present when 'Ali (may Allah be well pleased with him) had an animal brought for him to ride. When he placed his foot in the stirrup, he said: “In the Name of Allah [Bismillah],” and when he settled on its back, he said: “Praise be to Allah!” Then he said: “Glory be to the One who has placed this at our disposal, for we would not have been equal to the task [Subhanalladhi sakhkhara la-na hadha wa ma kunna la-hu muqrinin], and to our Lord we are surely returning [wa inna ila Rabbina la-munqalibun]. (Al-Qur'an;43:13-14)Then he said: “Praise be to Allah,” three times, and: “Allah is Supremely Great,” three times, then: “Glory be to You! I have wronged myself, so forgive me, for no one forgives sins but You!” Then he laughed, so I said to him: “What has made you laugh, O Commander of the Believers?” He said: “I saw Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) do just as I did now, after which he laughed, so I said: "What has made you laugh, O Messenger of Allah?" He replied: ‘Your Lord surely marvels at His servant when he says: “My Lord, forgive me my sins, knowing that no one but He forgives sins'!”

Messenger of Allah, I have lost my eyesight and I lead my people in prayer. When there is a downpour there is then a current (of water) in the valley that stands between me and them and I find it impossible to go to their mosque and lead them in prayer. Messenger of Allah, I earnestly beg of you that you should come and observe prayer at a place of worship (in my house) so that I should then use it as a place of worship. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Well, it God so wills. I would soon do so. 'Itban said: On the following day when the day dawned, the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) came along with Abu Bakr at-Siddiq, and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) asked permission (to get into the house). I gave him the permission, and be did not sit after entering the house, when he said: At what place in your house you desire me to say prayer? I ('Itban b. Malik) said: I pointed to a corner in the house, The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) stood (at that place for prayer) and pronounced Allah-o-Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) (as an expression for the commencement of prayer). We too stood behind him, and he said two rak'ahs and then pronounced salutation (marking the end of the prayer). We detained him (the Holy Prophet) for the meat curry we had prepared for, him. The people of the neighbouring houses came and thus there was a good gathering in (our house). One of them said: Where is Malik b. Dukhshun? Upon this one of them remarked: He is a hypocrite; he does not love Allah and His Messenger. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Do not say so about him. Don't you see that he utters La ilaha ill-Allah (There is no god but Allah) and seeks the pleasure of Allah through it? They said: Allah and His Messenger know beet. One (among the audience) said: We see his inclination and wellwishing for hypocrites only. Upon this the Messenger of Allah' (may peace be upon him) again said: Verily Allah has forbidden the Fire for one who says: There is no god but Allah, thereby seeking Allah's pleasure. Ibn Shihab said: I asked Husain b. Muhammad al-Ansar (he was one of the leaders of Banu Salim) about the hadith transmitted by Mahmud b. Rabi' and he testified it.

“I said, I must observe how the Messenger of Allah (saw) prays tonight. So I lay down at his door. The Messenger of Allah (saw) got up and prayed two brief Rak’ah, then two long ones, which were very, very long, then two Rak’ah which were shorter than the ones preceding them, then two Rak’ah which were shorter than the ones preceding them, then two Rak’ah which were shorter than the ones preceding them, then two Rak’ah, then Witr. That was thirteen Rak’ah.”

I asked A'ishah about the voluntary prayers offered by the Messenger of Allah (saws). She replied: Before the noon prayer he would pray four rak'ahs in my house, then go out and lead the people in prayer, then return to my house and pray two rak'ahs. He would lead the people in the sunset prayer, then return to my house and pray two rak'ahs. Then he would lead the people in the night prayer, and enter my house and pray two rak'ahs. He would pray nine rak'ahs during the night, including witr (prayer). At night he would pray for a long time standing and for a long time sitting. When he recited the Qur'an while standing, he would bow and prostrate himself from the standing position, and when he recited while sitting, he would bow and prostrate himself from the sitting position, and when dawn came he prayed two rak'ahs, then he would come out and lead the people in the dawn prayer.