-- The call to prayer - 'Athan. Reference: Muslim 1/291, Al-Bukhari 1/151.

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

I came to Messenger of Allah (PBUH) when he was performing prayers. He was sobbing and his chest sounded like a boiling kettle.

[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Were it not for causing distress to my people, I would command them to postpone the night prayer till a third or a half of the night had passed.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite 'Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High' (Al-A’lā) and 'Has there come to you the narration of the overwhelming (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)?' (Al-Ghāshiyah) in the Jumu'ah prayer, and sometimes 'Eid and Jumu'ah would fall on the same day, and he would recite them in both 'Eid and Jumu'ah prayer." Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1424

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite 'Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High' (Al-A’lā) and 'Has there come to you the narration of the overwhelming (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)?' (Al-Ghāshiyah) in the Jumu'ah prayer, and sometimes 'Eid and Jumu'ah would fall on the same day, and he would recite them in both 'Eid and Jumu'ah prayer." Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1424.

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "Allah the Exalted has given you an extra prayer which is better for you than the red camels (high breed camels)." We asked, "What is it O Allah's Messenger." He said, "The Witr between the 'Isha' prayer and up till the break of dawn." [Reported by al-Khamsah except an-Nasa'i and al-Hakim graded it Sahih (authentic)].

'he should complete (the prayer) then he should say Taslim and then perform the prostration'.

-- Whoever memorizes ten 'Ayat (Verses) from the beginning of Surat Al-Kahf, will be protected from the False Messiah 1 if he recites in every prayer after the final Tashahhud before ending the prayer, seeking the protection of Allah from the trials of the False Messiah. Reference: 1 Muslim 1/555, another version mentions the last ten 'Ayat, Muslim 1/556. 2 See invocations no. 55 and 56 of this book.

“I used to scrape it (the semen) off the garment of Allah’s Messenger (saw) and then he offered prayer with it.

'two Rak'at after Jumu'ah prayer in his house.'

It is Sunnah to go to the 'Eid (prayer) walking. [Reported by at-Tirmidhi who graded it Hasan (good)].

Allah's Messenger (SAW) came to my house after offering 'Asr prayer and offered two Rak'a, then I asked him about that and he replied, "I was kept busy (and failed to pray) the two (Sunnah) Rak'a after Zuhr prayer, so I offered them now." I asked him, "Should we offer them if we miss them?" He (SAW) replied, "No." [Reported by Ahmad].

The Prophet (SAW) offered the 'Eid prayer without an Adhan or an Iqamah. [Reported by Abu Dawud].

Ibn ’Abbas (RAA) narrated, ‘The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H.) enjoined Zakat-ul-fitr on the one who fasts (i.e. fasted during the month of Ramadan) to purify him from any indecent act or speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakah for the person who pays it before the Eid prayer and it is Sadaqah (i.e. voluntary charity) for the person who pays it after the Eid prayer.’ Related by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim graded it as Sahih.

Allah's Messenger (SAW) used to seek Allah's protection by invoking this supplication (Du'a) at the end of every Salat (prayer): "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from stinginess, I seek refuge in You from cowardice, I seek refuge in You from old age (and senility), I seek refuge in You from the temptation of the world and I seek refuge in You from the punishment in the grave." [Reported by al-Bukhari].

I heard the messenger of Allah (PBUH) say: Your Lord delights at a shepherd who, on the peak of a mountain crag, gives the call to prayer and prays. Then Allah (glorified and exalted be He) say: Look at this servant of Mine, he gives the call to prayer and performs the prayers; he is in awe of Me. I have forgiven My servant [his sins] and have admitted him to Paradise. It was related by an-Nasa'i with a good chain of authorities.

a woman asked Aishah: "Shouldn't one of us make up her prayers the days of her menstruation?" So she said, "Are you one of the Haruriyyah? Indeed we would menstruate, and we were not ordered to make up."

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: `Whoever does wudoo’ as Allah, may he be glorified and exalted, has commanded him, the prescribed prayers will be an expiation for [whatever sins he commits] between them.”

'Hear and obey, even if the ruler is a slave with his limbs amputated. When you cook a stew, put a lot of water in it and then go and see the people of a neighbouring house and give them a reasonable amount of it. Pray the prayers at their proper prayers. Then if you find that the imam has already prayed, you have guarded your prayer (by already having performed it). If not, it is a supererogatory prayer (since you have done it again)."

The Prophet (saws) said: If a Muslim sleeps while remembering Allah, in the state of purification, is alarmed while asleep at night, and asks Allah for good in this world and in the Hereafter. He surely gives it to him. Thabit al-Bunani said: AbuZabyah came to visit us and he transmitted this tradition to us from Mu'adh ibn Jabal from the Prophet (saws). Thabit said: So and so said: I tried my best to utter these (prayers) when I got up, but I could not do.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) recited the supplication in the night prayer for a month. He said (in his supplication): O Allah, rescue al-Walid b. al-Walid, rescue Salamah b. Hisham, rescue the weak believers; O Allah, trample severely on Mudar; O Allah, cause them a famine like that of Joseph. Abu Hurairah said: One morning the Messenger of Allah (saws) id not make supplication for them. So I told him about it. He said: You dod not see that they have come (back).

The Prophet (SAW) said, "Offer Witr prayer before it is morning." [Reported by Muslim].

"The prayer of a person who prays alone behind the row is not accepted.

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "The most excellent prayer after that which is obligatory is the (voluntary) late night prayer." [Reported by Muslim].

"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."

That he heard Talhah bin 'Ubaidullah say: "A man from Najd with unkempt hair came to the Messenger of Allah [SAW]; he was speaking loudly but his speech could not be understood until he came close. He was asking about Islam. The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'Five prayers every day and night.' He said: 'Do I have to do any more than that? He said: 'No, not unless you do it voluntarily.' The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'Fasting the month of Ramadan.' He said: 'Do I have to do any more than that?' He said: 'No, not unless you do it voluntarily.' Then the Messenger of Allah [SAW] told him about Zakah. He said: 'Do I have to do any more than that?' He said: 'No, not unless you do it voluntarily.' The man left saying, 'I will not do any more than that or any less.' The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'He will succeed, if he is telling the truth.'"

"A man from the people of Najd came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) with unkempt hair. We could hear him talking loudly but we could not understand what he was saying until he came closer. He was asking about Islam. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to him: 'Five prayers each day and night.' He said: 'Do I have to do anything else' He said: 'No, unless you do it voluntarily.' He said: 'And fasting the month of Ramadan.' He said: 'Do I have to do anything else?' He said: 'No, unless you do it voluntarily.' And the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) mentioned Zakah to him, and he said: 'Do I have to do anything else?' He said: 'No, unless you do it voluntarily.' The man left saying: 'By Allah, I will not do any more than this or any less.' The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: 'He will achieve salvation, if he is speaking the truth.'"

A’ishah (RAA) narrated, ‘By Allah the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H.) offered funeral prayer in the mosque for the sons of Baida (Sahl and Suhail).’ Related by Muslim

"When the sun is white and clear." [Reported by Muslim].

"While the sun is high." [Reported by Muslim in another narration of the former Hadith].

The Prophet (SAW) said, "Make the last of your prayer at night Witr (an odd number)." [Agreed upon].

The Prophet (SAW) used to recite in Jumu'ah prayer Surat al-Jumu'ah and al-Munafiqun. [Reported by Muslim].

"When there was an eclipse of the sun, Allah's Messenger (SAW) performed eight bowings with four prostrations (in a two Rak'ah prayer for Eclipse)".

“How was the ritual prayer of Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) during Ramadan?” so she said: “Neither in Ramadan nor in any other month would Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) add to the total of eleven cycles of [nighttime] ritual prayer. He would perform four — do not ask about their excellence or their length — then he would perform four — do not ask about their excellence or their length — and then he would perform three.” ‘A'isha said (may Allah the Exalted be well pleased with her): “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, do you sleep before you perform the odd-numbered ritual prayer [witr]?' He said: ‘O 'A'isha, my eyes may sleep, but my heart does not sleep!’”

“Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) lost consciousness in his illness, then he regained consciousness and said: ‘Has the ritual prayer arrived?’ They said: ‘Yes,’ so he said: ‘Command Bilal to give the call to prayer, and command Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.’ Then he lost consciousness, and when he recovered, he said: ‘Has the ritual prayer arrived?’ They said: ‘Yes,’ so he said: ‘Command Bilal to give the call to prayer, and command Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.’ 'A'isha then said: ‘My father is a melancholy man. If he is given that responsibility, he will weep and lose command of himself. SO if only you would appoint someone else!' He [Salim] said: “Then he lost consciousness and recovered, so he said: ‘Command Bilal to give the call to prayer, and command Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer, for you are the female companions of Yusuf!’ Bilal was therefore commanded, so he gave the call to prayer, and Abu Bakr was commanded, so he led the people in prayer. Then Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) felt light in the head, so he said: ‘Find me someone I can lean on!’ Barira and another man therefore came to him, so he leaned on them. When Abu Bakr saw him, the man was about to withdraw, but he signaled for him to stay in his place until Abu Bakr completed his ritual prayer. Then Allah’s Messenger died (Allah bless him and give him peace), so 'Umar said: ‘If I hear anyone mention that Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) has died, I will strike him with this sword of mine!”’ He [Salim] said: “The people were unlettered folk among whom there had never come a prophet before, so they held their tongues. But then they said: ‘O Salim, go to the Companion of Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) and summon him.’ So I went to see Abu Bakr, in the mosque. I came to him weeping and perplexed, so when he saw me, he said: ‘Has Allah’s Messenger died (Allah bless him and give him peace)?’ I replied: 'Umar says: “If anyone mentions that Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) has died, I will strike him with this sword of mine!” He then said to me: ‘Go outside,’ so I went outside with him. Then he came and found the people in the presence of Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace). “He therefore said: ‘O people, get out of my way,’ so they got out of his way. Then he leaned over him and touched him, saying: “You will surely die, and they will surely die." [inna-ka mayyitun wa inna-hum mayyitun].” (Al-Qur'an.39:3O). Then they said: ‘O Companion of Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace), should the funeral prayer be performed for Allah’s Messenger?’ When he said: ‘Yes,’ they asked: And how?’ He said: A group will enter, proclaim the Supreme Greatness of Allah, perform the ritual prayer and offer supplication. Then they will go out, so that other people may enter.’ They said: ‘O Companion of Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace), should Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) be buried?’ When he said: ‘Yes,’ they asked: ‘Where?’ He said: ‘In the place in which Allah took his spirit, for Allah would not take his spirit in a place that was not good,’ and they knew that he had spoken the truth.’ Then he gave instructions for the sons of his father to bathe him, and the Emigrants [al-Muhajirun] assembled, consulting with one another. They said: ‘Take us to our brethren among the Helpers [al-Ansar], so that we may include them with us in this business.' The Helpers then said: ‘There should be a commander among us and a commander among you,’ so 'Umar ibn al-Khattab said: ‘Who has the like of these three [excellent merits of Abu Bakr]? [In the words of the Qur’an]: “The second of the two; when the two of them were in the cave, when he said to his companion: ‘Do not grieve. Allah is with us [thaniya’thnaini idh huma fi’l-ghari idh yaqulu li-sahibi-hi la tahzan inna’llaha ma'a-na].’” (Al-Qur'an.9:4O). Who are the two of them?’ Then he extended his hand, so they pledged allegiance to him, and the people paid him a beautiful homage.”

"The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to perform thirteen cycles of ritual prayer during the night.”

"Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to perform nine cycles of ritual prayer during the night.”

'Then [(Allah's Messenger (SAW)] emigrated and it was prescribed as four, but prayer while travelling was left according to the original prescription (of two Rak'at).'

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "Jumu'ah prayer is not obligatory on a traveller." [Reported by at-Tabarani through a weak chain of narrators].

The Prophet is reported to have said, “The prayer is not valid for the one who does not recite the Fātiḥah (opening chapter) of the Book.” Reference: Sahih Muslim 394

"I saw Allah's Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) performing the ritual prayer in sewn sandals.”

“The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to perform the mid-morning ritual prayer in six cycles.”

The Prophet (SAW) liked his voice, so he taught him the Adhan (call to prayer). [Reported by Ibn Khuzaimah].

Allah's Messenger (SAW) entered my house and prayed eight Rak'at of Duha prayer. [Reported by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih].

"He [Allah's Messenger (SAW)] performed six bowings with four prostrations (in a two Rak'ah prayer for Eclipse)."

"The last occasion when I caught sight of Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) was the unveiling of the curtain on a Monday. I looked at his face as if it were a parchment of the Qur’an, as the people were performing the ritual prayer behind Abu Bakr. The people were about to get restless, so he gestured to them to keep calm, as Abu Bakr led them in prayer, and he cast the curtain aside. Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) died at the end of that day.”

My father said, "I have come from the true Prophet (SAW), so when the time of Salat (prayer) comes one of you should announce the Adhan and the one of you who knows the Qur'an most should be your Imam." He ('Amr) said, "They looked around and there was no one who knew the Qur'an more than I. So they put me forward in front of them and I was only six or seven years old." [Reported by al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud and an-Nasa'i].

"The night prayer of Allah's Messenger was thirteen Rak'ah, five of which were his Witr, not sitting in any of them except at the end of them. When the Mu'adh-dhin called the Adhan he would stand to perform two light (Rak'ah)."