God’s Messenger was detained one morning from observing the prayer with us till the sun had almost appeared over the horizon. He then came cut quickly, and when the iqama had been uttered he conducted the prayer in a shortened form; then when he had given the salutation he called out to us saying, “Keep to your rows as you were.” Then turning to us he said, “I shall tell you what detained me from you this morning. I got up during the night, performed ablution, and prayed what I could; but during my prayer I dozed and was overcome, and there and then I saw my Lord in the most beautiful form. He addressed me by name, and when I replied, ‘At Thy service, my Lord,’ He asked, ‘What do the angels near My presence dispute about?’ and I replied that I did not know. He asked it three times. Then I saw Him put the palm of His hand between my shoulder-blades, so that I experienced the coolness of His fingers between my nipples so everything became clear to me and I attained knowledge. He then addressed me by name, and when I replied, ‘At Thy service, my Lord,’ He asked, ‘What do the angels near My presence dispute about?’ I replied, ‘Expiation.’ He asked what they were, and I replied, ‘Walking on foot to the congregational prayers, sitting in the mosques after the prayers are over, and performing complete ablution in difficult circumstances. He asked what next they disputed about, and when I said it was about degrees, He asked what they were and I replied, ‘Providing food, speaking gently, and praying at night when people are asleep.’ He then told me to make a request, and I said, ‘O God, I ask Thee for power to do good things and abandon objectionable things, for love towards the poor, that Thou shouldest forgive me and show mercy to me, and that when Thou intendest to test any people Thou wilt take me to Thyself without being led astray. And I ask for Thy love, the love of those who love Thee, and a love of doing things which will bring me near to Thy love.’” Then God’s Messenger said, “It is true, so study it and learn it.” Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Tirmidhi said, “This is a hasan sahih tradition. I asked Muhammad b. Isma'il (Al-Bukhari) about this tradition, and he said it is a sahih tradition.”

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr b. al-‘As said that God’s Messenger used to say on entering the mosque, “I seek refuge in God the mighty, in His noble being, and in His power which is from everlasting from the accursed devil.” He said that when the devil heard that he said, “He is protected from me for the rest of the day.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Ata’ b. Yasar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “O God, do not let my grave become an idol which is worshipped. God’s anger is severe against people who take the graves of their prophets as mosques.” Malik transmitted it in mursal form.

Mu'adh b. Jabal said that the Prophet used to like to pray in al-hitan*. One of its transmitters says that it means gardens. * I have given the Arabic word because it is explained in the text. Why it should need to be explained is not clear. Tirmidhi transmitted it and said, “This is a gharib tradition which we know only among the traditions of al-Hasan b. Abu Ja'far whom Yahya b. Sa'id and others have declared to be weak.”

Anas b. Malik reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A man’s prayer in his house is equivalent to a single observance of prayer, his prayer in a tribal mosque is equivalent to twenty-five, his prayer in a mosque in which the Friday prayer is observed is equivalent to five hundred, his prayer in the Aqsa mosque is equivalent to fifty thousand, his prayer in my mosque is equivalent to fifty thousand, and his prayer in the sacred mosque (the Ka’ba) is equivalent to a hundred thousand.” Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abu Dharr said that he asked God’s Messenger which mosque was set up first in the earth and was told that it was the sacred mosque. He asked which came next and was told that it was the Aqsa mosque. He asked how long a space of time separated their building and the Prophet told him it was forty years, adding, “Then the earth is a mosque for you, so pray wherever you are at the time of prayer.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

“Umar b. Abu Salama said that he saw God’s Messenger praying in Umm Salama’s house girded with a single garment, placing its two ends over his shoulders.* * This is explained as meaning that the ends were each over a shoulder and under the other armpit and tied over the chest. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “None of you must pray in a single garment of which no part comes over his shoulders.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He said that he heard God’s Messenger say, “If anyone prays in a single garment he should cross the two ends.” Bukhari transmitted it.

‘A’isha said that God’s Messenger prayed in a woollen garment of hers with markings, and he gave a look at the markings. When he had finished he said, “Take this woollen garment of mine to Abu Jahm and bring me Abu Jahm’s Anbijani* garment, for it has distracted me just now from my prayer.” * A type of garment from the Syrian town of Manbij. The word in the text is anbijaniya. Manbijaniya is perhaps more common. See Lane, Lexicon, p. 2755 Pt. III (Bukhari and Muslim.) In a version by Bukhari he said, “I was looking at its markings while I was engaged in prayer, and I am afraid lest it may beguile me.”

Anas said that ‘A’isha had a figured curtain with which she secluded the side of her house, but the Prophet said to her, “Remove this figured curtain of yours from us, for its pictures keep interfering with my prayer.” Bukhari transmitted it.

‘Uqba b. ‘Amir said that God’s Messenger was presented with a silk gown which he put on and wore while praying. Then when he withdrew he pulled it off vigorously as though he disapproved of it, saying, “This is not fitting for the pious.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Salama b. al-Akwa‘said that he told God’s Messenger he was a man who went out hunting, and asked whether he might pray in a single shirt. He replied, “Yes, but fasten it, even if it should be with a thorn.” Abu Dawud transmitted it and Nasa’i transmitted something similar.

Abu Huraira said that while a man was praying letting his lower garment trail, God’s Messenger said to him, “Go and perform ablution.” After he had gone to perform ablution and returned a man asked God’s Messenger why he had ordered him to perform ablution, and he said “He was praying with his lower garment trailing, and God does not accept the prayer of a man who lets his lower garment trail.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The prayer of a woman who has reached puberty is not accepted unless she is wearing a veil.”* * A veil (khimar) covering the head and the breasts. Cf. Al-Quran; 24:31. Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Umm Salama said that she asked God's Messenger whether a woman might pray in a shift and veil without wearing a lower garment. He replied, “If the shift is ample and covers the surface of her feet.” Abu Dawud transmitted it and he mentioned a number who did not trace it beyond Umm Salama.

Abu Huraira said that God’s Messenger forbade trailing garments during prayer and that a man should cover his mouth. Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Shaddad b. Aus reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Act differently from the Jews, for they do not pray in their sandals or their shoes.”* * Khuff (pl. khifaf), an article of footwear which came up above the ankle. Traditions tell that the Prophet allowed pilgrims to wear the khuff only when unable to procure sandals, but said they must be cut to come below the ankle. Cf. Bukhari, Hajj, 21, 23; Libas, 8, 4, 15, 73. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

While God’s Messenger was leading his companions in prayer he took off his sandals and laid them at his left side; so when the people saw that, they removed their sandals. When he had finished his prayer he asked, "What made you remove your sandals? They replied, “We saw you remove yours, so we removed ours.” God’s Messenger then said, “Gabriel came to me and informed me that there was filth on them. When any of you comes to the mosque he should examine, and if he sees filth on his sandals he should wipe it off and pray in them.” Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When any of you prays he should not place his sandals at his right or at his left so as to be at the right of someone else, unless no one is at his left, but should place them between his feet.” A version has, “or pray with them on.” Abu Dawud transmitted it and Ibn Majah transmitted something to the same effect.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said, “I visited the Prophet and saw him praying on a reed mat on which he was prostrating himself.” He said, “And I saw him praying in a single garment with part over his shoulder.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Shu'aib, on his father's authority, said that his grandfather declared he had seen God’s Messenger praying both barefoot and wearing sandals. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Muhammad b. al-Munkadir said that Jabir led them in prayer in [his] lower garment which he had tied at the nape of his neck, his clothes being placed on the clothes-stand. Someone said to him, “You are praying in a single garment.” He replied, “I did that only that a fool like you might see me. Which of us had two garments in the time of God’s Messenger?” Bukhari transmitted it.

Ubayy b. Ka'b said, “Prayer in a single garment was a practice we followed along with God’s Messenger, and no blame was cast on us.” Ibn Mas'ud said, “That was only when clothing was scarce, but when God enlarged our circumstances prayer in two garments became purer.” Ahmad transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar said that the Prophet would go out in the morning* to the place of prayer with a staff in front of him which was carried and set up in front of him in the place of prayer, and he would pray in its direction. * i.e. on the day of the 'Id. Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Juhaifa said, “I saw God's Messenger in Mecca at al-Abtah in a red leather tent, I saw Bilal take the ablution water left by God’s Messenger, and I saw the people racing one another to get to that ablution water. If anyone got any of it he rubbed himself with it, and anyone who did not get any got some of the moisture from his companion’s hand. I then saw Bilal take a staff and fix it in the ground, after which God’s Messenger came out quickly in a red mantle and led the people in two rak'as facing the staff. And I saw people and animals passing in front of the staff.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Nafi’ said on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet used to make his riding-beast kneel between him and the qibla and pray facing it. (Bukhari and Muslim.) Bukhari added that Nafi' asked Ibn ‘Umar, saying, “Tell me what happened when the camels moved away,” to which he replied, “He used to take the saddle, put it straight, and pray facing the back of it.”

Talha b. ‘Ubaidallah reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you places in front of him something such as the back of a saddle, he should pray without caring who passes on the other side of it.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Juhaim reported God’s Messenger as saying, ‘‘If one who passes in front of a man who is praying knew the responsibility he incurs, to stand still for forty would be better for him than to pass in front of him.” Abun Nadr said, “I do not know whether he said forty days, or months, or years.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Sa'id reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you prays facing something which conceals him from people and someone wishes to pass in front of him, he should turn away; but if he refuses to go, he should turn him away forcibly, for he is only a devil.” This is Bukhari’s wording, and Muslim has something to the same effect.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A woman, an ass and a dog cut off the prayer, but something like the back of a saddle guards against that.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘A’isha said, “The Prophet used to pray at night while I was interposed between him and the qibla like a corpse on a bier.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Abbas said, “When I was near the age of puberty I came riding on a she-ass and found God’s Messenger leading the people in prayer at Mina with no wall in front of him. I passed in front of part of the row of worshippers, and dismounting, let my she-ass go to pasture and joined the row, and no one objected to that.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of your prays he should put something in front of his face, and if he can find nothing he should set up his stick; but if he has no stick with him he should draw a line, then what passes in front of him will not harm him.” Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Sahl b. Abu Hathma reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you prays facing a sutra* he should keep close to it and not let the devil interrupt his prayer.” * Sutra (covering, screen) is used of an object a worshipper places in front of him in the direction of the qibla when engaging in prayer. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Al-Miqdad b. al-Aswad said, “I never saw God’s Messenger praying in front of a stick, a pillar, or a tree, without having it opposite his right or left eyebrow (i.e. side), and not facing it directly.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Al-Fadl b. ‘Abbas said, “God’s Messenger came to us accompanied by ‘Abbas when we were in open country belonging to us. He prayed in a desert with no sutra in front of him, and a she-ass and a bitch of ours were playing in front of him, but he paid no attention to that.” Abu Dawud transmitted it and Nasa’i has something similar.

Abu Sa'id reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Nothing interrupts prayer, but repulse, as much as you can anyone who passes in front of you, for he is just a devil.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘A’isha said, “I was sleeping in front of God’s Messenger with my legs between him and the qibla. When he prostrated himself he pinched me and I drew up my legs, and when he stood up I stretched them out.” She added, “At that time there were no lamps in the houses.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If one of you knew what he incurred by passing in front of his brother and interfering with his prayer, it would be better for him to stop a hundred years than to take a single step.” Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ka‘b al-Ahbar said, “If one who passes in front of a man who is praying knew what was laid to his charge, it would be better for him to be swallowed up by the earth than to pass in front of him.” A version has “less serious for him.” Malik transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you prays without a sutra, an ass, a pig, a Jew, a Magian, and a woman cut off his prayer, but it will suffice if they pass in front of him at a distance of over a stone’s throw.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

“When you get up to pray perform the ablution perfectly, then face the qibla and say, “God is most great.” Then recite a convenient portion of the Qur’an; then bow and remain quietly in that attitude; then raise yourself and stand erect; then prostrate yourself and remain quietly in that attitude; then raise yourself and sit quietly; then prostrate yourself and remain quietly in that attitude; then raise yourself and sit quietly.” A version has, “Then raise yourself and stand erect; then do that throughout all your prayer.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A’isha said that God’s Messenger used to begin prayer with the takbir¹ and the recitation of “Praise be to God, the Lord of the universe.”² When he bowed he neither kept his head up nor bent it down, but kept it between these extremes; when he raised his head after bowing he did not prostrate himself till he had stood erect; when he raised head after a prostration he did not prostrate himself again till he had sat up. At the end of every two rak'as he said the tahiya;³ and he used to bend his left foot and raise up the right; he prohibited the devil’s way of sitting on the heels, and he forbade people to spread out their arms like a wild beast. And he used to finish the prayer with the taslim⁴. Muslim transmitted it. 1. i.e. saying Allahu Akbar (God is most great). 2. Al-Qur’an; 1. 3. This is a part of the prayers which comes at the end of every two rak'as, beginning with at-tahiyat lillah and ending with the testimony that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. Tahiyat is the plural of tahiya and the phrase quoted above is variously explained as meaning that endless existence, or dominion, or kingship, or freedom from all evils, or freedom from all causes of cessation of existence belong to God. Alternatively it is taken in its usual meaning of salutations. 4. Saying, “The peace and mercy of God be upon you,” first with the head turned to the right and then with the head turned to the left. This is said at the end of the prayers.

Abu Humaid as-Sa'idi said among a company of the companions of God’s Messenger, “I am the one among you who is best versed in the way God’s Messenger prayed. I saw that when he uttered the takbir he placed his hands opposite his shoulders; when he bowed he rested his hands on his knees, then bent his back; when he raised his head he stood erect with his spine straight; when he prostrated himself he placed his arms so that they were not spread out, and the fingers were not drawn in, and the points of his toes were facing the qibla; when he sat up at the end of two rak'as he sat on his left foot and raised the right; and when he sat up after the last rak'a he put forward the left foot, raised the other, and sat on his hips.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar said that God’s Messenger used to raise his hands opposite his shoulders when he began prayer and when he said the takbir before bowing; and when he raised his head after bowing he raised them in the same way and said, “God listens to him who praises Him. To Thee, our Lord, be the praise!” But he did not do that when he prostrated himself. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Nafi‘ said that when Ibn ‘Umar began prayer he said the takbir and raised his hands; when he bowed he raised his hands; when he said, “God listens to him who praises Him” he raised his hands; and when he got up at the end of two rak'as he raised his hands. Ibn ‘Umar traced that back to the Prophet. Bukhari transmitted it.

Malik b. al-Huwairith said that when God’s Messenger said the takbir he raised his hands and placed them opposite his ears, and when he raised his head after bowing and said, “God listens to him who praises Him,” he did the same. A version has, “and placed them opposite the tops of his ears.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He said that he saw the Prophet praying, and when he had prayed an odd number of rak'as he did not stand up till after he had adopted a sitting position. Bukhari transmitted it.

Wa’il b. Hujr said that he saw the Prophet raise his hands when he began prayer. He said the takbir, then pulled his garment round him, then placed his right hand on his left. When he was about to bow he took his hands out of his garment, and after he had raised (them and said the takbir he bowed. When he said, “God listens to him who praises Him” he raised his hands, and when he prostrated himself he did it between his hands. Muslim transmitted it.