Allah's Messenger said: "the key to Salat is the purification, its Tahrim is the Takbir, and its Tahlilis the Taslim, and there is no Salat for one who did not recite Al-Hamd and a Surah in the obligatory (prayer) or other prayers."

The Prophet (PBUH) did not attach more importance to any Nawafil prayer than the two Rak'ah of prayer before dawn (Fajr) prayer.

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Zaid b. Thabit reported God s Messenger as saying, “A man’s prayer in his house is more excellent than his prayer in this mosque of mine, except for the prescribed prayer." Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

God’s Messenger led us in the dawn prayer one day, and when he gave the salutation he asked, “Is so and so present?” and was told that he was not. He asked, “Is so and so present?” and was told that he was not. He then said, “These two prayers* are the ones which are most burdensome to hypocrites. If you knew the blessings they contain you would come to them, even though you had to crawl on your knees. The first row is like that of the angels, and if you knew the nature of its excellence you would race to join it. A man’s prayer said along with another is purer than his prayer said alone, and his prayer with two men is purer than his prayer with one, but if there are more it is more pleasing to God.” *i.e. the evening prayer and the dawn prayer. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: "One who performs 'Isha' prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night. And one who performs the Fajr prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat the whole night."

[Muslim]

The narration of At-Tirmidhi says: 'Uthman bin Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he had heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: "He who attends 'Isha' in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night; and he who attends 'Isha' and Fajr prayers in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for the whole night."

Al-Qasim b. Muhammad said that a man told him he was greatly distressed by wandering thoughts while he was engaged in prayer. He told him to persevere with his prayer, explaining that he would not be free from that till he said when he finished his prayer, “I have not performed my prayer perfectly.” Malik transmitted it.

Sulaiman b. Yasar quoted Abu Huraira as saying, “I never prayed behind anyone whose prayer more closely resembled that of God’s Messenger than so and so’s.” Sulaiman said that he prayed behind him, and he was prolonging the first two rak'as of the noon prayer, shortening the last two, shortening the afternoon prayer, reciting short suras from al-Mufassal* at the sunset prayer, medium suras from al-Mufassal at the evening prayer, and long ones from al-Mufassal at the morning prayer. * A name applied to the latter part of the Qur’an because there are many divisions, but opinions differ about where it begins. Lane mentions the different views in his Lexicon, pp 2407 f., saying the most correct opinion is that it begins with sura 49. Nasa’i transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted up to “shortening the afternoon prayer.”

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The best month for observing Saum (fasting) after Ramadan is Muharram, and the best Salat after the prescribed Salat is Salat at night."

[Muslim].

I asked the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) about random looks in Salat (prayer), and he replied, "It is something which Satan snatches from the slave's Salat."

[Al-Bukhari].

The Witr prayer is not obligatory as the prescribed Salat (prayers), but the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) observed it as his regular practice (Sunnah). He (PBUH) said, "Allah is Witr (single, odd) and loves what is Witr. So perform Witr prayer. O followers of Qur'an, observe Witr (prayer)."

[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) led us in the morning (Fajr) prayer and he ascended the pulpit and addressed us until it was the time for the Zuhr prayer. He then came down the pulpit and led us in Salat (prayer). Again he ascended the pulpit and addressed until it was the time for the 'Asr prayer. He then again came down, led us in Salat and again ascended the pulpit and addressed us until sunset. He informed us of everything that lay hidden in the past and what will happen in the future; and the most learned amongst us is the one who has preserved it in his memory.

[Muslim].

"I asked Allah's Messenger (S) about the Salat for a man who is sitting. He said: 'Whoever performs Salat while standing then that is more virtuous. And whoever performs Salat while sitting, then he gets half the rewards of the one standing, and whoever performs Salat while lying down, then he gets half the rewards of the one sitting.'"

Malik heard that the mu'adhdhin came to ‘Umar to call him to the Morning Prayer. Finding him asleep, he said, “Prayer is better than sleep," and ‘Umar commanded him to include it in the call to Morning Prayer. He transmitted it in al-Muwatta’.

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you performs the prayer in his mosque he should leave a portion of his prayer for his house, for God blesses his house because of his prayer.” Muslim transmitted it.

God’s Messenger led us in the afternoon prayer at al-Mukhammas and said, “This is a prayer which was proposed to your predecessors, but they neglected it. Everyone who keeps observing it will have a double reward, but there is no prayer after it till ash-shahid rises.” Ash-shahid is the star.* * No particular star is intended. The meaning is that the prayer should be observed when stars become visible. Muslim transmitted it.

Buraida told of a man asking God’s Messenger about the time of prayer, to which he replied, “Pray with us these two,” meaning two days. When the sun passed the meridian he gave command to Bilal who uttered the call to prayer, then he commanded him and he made the announcement declaring that the time to begin the noon prayer had come. He gave him command and he made the announcement declaring that the time to being the afternoon prayer had come when the sun was high, white and clear. Then he gave him command and he made the announcement declaring that the time to begin the sunset prayer had come when the sun had set. Then he gave him command and he made the announcement declaring that the time to begin the night prayer had come when the twilight had ended. Then he gave him command and he made the announcement declaring that the time to begin the dawn prayer had come when the dawn appeared. Next day he commanded him to delay the noon prayer till the extreme heat had passed and he did so, and he allowed it to be delayed till the extreme heat had passed. He observed the afternoon prayer when the sun was high, delaying it beyond the time he had previously observed it. He observed the sunset prayer before the twilight had ended; he observed the night prayer when a third of the night had passed; and he observed the dawn prayer when there was clear daylight. Then asking where the man was who had enquired about the time of prayer and receiving from him a reply that he was present, he said, “The time for your prayer is within the limits of what you have seen.” Muslim transmitted it.

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The five (daily) Salat (prayers) and the Friday (prayer) to the Friday (prayer) expiate whatever (minor sins) may be committed in between, so long as major sins are avoided."

[Muslim].

the Prophet said about the Mustahadah that she should: "Leave the Salat for the days of her period which she menstruates in, then perform Ghusl, and perform Wudu for every Salat, and observe Saum and perform Salat."

Jabir b. Samura said, “God’s Messenger used to observe the times of prayer more or less as you do, but he would delay the prayer after nightfall to a little after the time you observe it, and he would shorten the prayer.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Uthman reported God’s Messenger as saying, "If anyone prays the evening prayer in company, it is as though he had remained awake in prayer half the night; but if anyone prays the Morning Prayer in company, it is as though he had prayed the whole night.” Muslim transmitted it.

Ka‘b b. ‘Ujra said that the Prophet came to the mosque of the B. ‘Abd al-Ashhal and prayed the sunset prayer in it. When the people finished their prayer he saw them performing tasbih after it and said, “This is the prayer to be observed at home.”* * This refers to supererogatory prayers. Tasbih is the utterance of 'Glory be to God!’ Abu Dawud transmitted it. In the version by Tirmidhi and Nasa’i it says that the people got up and offered supererogatory prayers, whereupon the Prophet said, “Observe this prayer at home.”

the Prophet said: "Whoever catches a Rak'ah of the Salat then he has caught the Salat."

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "O people! perform your (voluntary) Salat (prayers) in your homes because the best Salat of a man is the one he performs at home, except the obligatory Salat."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Gabriel twice led me in prayer at the House (i.e. the Ka’ba). He prayed the noon prayer with me when the sun had passed the meridian to the extent of the thong of a sandal; he prayed the afternoon prayer with me when every thing’s shadow was as long as itself; he prayed the sunset prayer with me at the time when one who has been fasting breaks his fast; he prayed the night prayer with me when the twilight had ended; and he prayed the dawn prayer with me at the time when food and drink become forbidden to one who is fasting. On the following day he prayed the noon prayer with me when his shadow was as long as himself; he prayed the afternoon prayer with me when his shadow was twice as long as himself; he prayed the sunset prayer with me at the time when one who has been fasting breaks his fast; he prayed the night prayer with me when about a third of the night had passed; and he prayed the dawn prayer with me when there was clear daylight. Then turning to me he said, ‘Muhammad, this is the time observed by the prophets before you, and the time is anywhere between these two times.” Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If people knew what blessing lies in the call to prayer and in the first row, then could do nothing but cast lots for it, they would do so; if they know what blessing lies in going to prayer early, they would race to do it i and if they knew what blessing lies in the prayer after nightfall and the morning prayer, they would come to them even if they had to crawl to do so.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

I heard Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "Prolonging Salat (prayer) and shortening the Khutbah (religious talk) indicate the religious knowledge of the person. Make your Salat long and your sermon short."

[Muslim].

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When you come to the prayer and we are prostrating ourselves you must prostrate yourselves without reckoning it as part of your prayer; and if anyone is present at a rak'a he has been present at the prayer.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud reported the Prophet as saying to people who stayed away from the Friday prayer, “I have thought about commanding a man to lead the people in prayer, then burning their houses over men who stayed away from the Friday prayer." Muslim transmitted it.

Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The five (daily) Salat (prayers), and from one Jumu'ah prayer to the (next) Jumu'ah prayer, and from Ramadan to Ramadan are expiations for the (sins) committed in between (their intervals); provided the major sins are not committed".

[Muslim].

He also reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A man's prayer in company is twenty-five times as valuable as his prayer in his house and his market, for when he performs ablution, doing it well, then goes out to the mosque, having no other reason than prayer for going out, he does not take a step without being raised a degree for it and having a sin remitted for it, and when he prays the angels continue to invoke blessings on him as long as he is in his place of prayer, saying, ‘God bless him; God show mercy to him.’ And each of you continues to be engaged in prayer as long as he is waiting for the prayer.” In a version he said, “When he enters the mosque prayer holds him fast.” And he added in the invocation of the angels, “O God, forgive him, O God, turn towards him, as long as he does not do any harm in it and as long as he does not do anything unseemly in it.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

the Prophet said: "Between every two calls (to prayer) there is a Salat for whoever wills."

"The Prophet of Allah (SAW) said: 'The middle Salat is Salat Al-'Asr.'"

Jabir reported God’s messenger as saying, “The key of paradise is prayer, and the key of prayer is being purified." Ahmad transmitted it.

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The most excellent prayer consists in long standing in prayer.” Muslim transmitted it.

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The five daily (prescribed) Salat, and Friday (prayer) to the next Friday (prayer), and the fasting of Ramadan to the next Ramadan, is expiation of the sins committed in between them, so long as major sins are avoided."

[Muslim].

Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Teach a boy Salat (the prayer) when he attains the age of seven years, and punish him (if he does not offer it) at ten".

[Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi, who categorized it as Hadith Hasan].

The narration in Abu Dawud is: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Order a boy to perform Salat (the prayer) when he is seven years old".

"A man stood up and said: 'O Messenger of Allah (SAW), how are the prayers at night to be done?' The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'Prayers at night are (offered) two by two, then if you fear that dawn will come, pray witr with one.'"

They distracted us on the day of al-Ahzab from `Asr prayer, until I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: `They distracted us from the middle prayer, ‘Asr prayer. May Allah fill their graves and houses or stomachs with fire.”

that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "Salat Al-Wusta is Salat Al-'Asr."

Ibn Mas'ud and Samura b. Jundub reported God's Messenger as saying, "The middle prayer is the afternoon prayer.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

“While the Messenger of Allah (saws) was seated, a man entered and performed Salat, and he said: ‘O Allah, forgive me, and have mercy upon me.’ The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘You have rushed, O praying person. When you perform Salat and then sit, then praise Allah with what He is deserving of, and send Salat upon me, then call upon Him.’” He said: “Then another man performed Salat after that, so he praised Allah and sent Salat upon the Prophet (saws). The Prophet (saws) said to him: ‘O praying person! Supplicate, and you shall be answered.’”

I performed along with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) two Rak'ah of optional prayers before Zuhr and two after the Zuhr (noon prayer), and two after the Friday prayer, and two after the Maghrib (evening) prayer, and two after the 'Isha' (night) prayer."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Allah's Messenger said: "Perform Salat in sheep pens but do not perform Salat in the camels' resting area."

Allah's Messenger (S) said: "When the Iqamah has been called for the Salat then there is no Salat except the obligatory."

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When the time for prayer comes, only the prescribed prayer is to be said.” Muslim transmitted it.

Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The person who is best versed in the recitation of the Book of Allah, should lead the prayer; but if all those present are equally versed in it, then the one who has most knowledge of the Sunnah; if they are equal in that respect too, then the one who has emigrated (to Al-Madinah) first, if they are equal in this respect also, then the oldest of them. No man should lead another in prayer where the latter has authority, or sit in his house, without his permission".

[Muslim].

In another narration in Muslim: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "One who is senior most in accepting Islam, should lead the Salat (prayer)".

Yet another narration is: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "A man who is well versed in the Book of Allah and can recite it better, should lead the Salat (prayer); if (all those present) are equal in this respect, then the man who is senior most in respect of emigration, if they are equal in that respect too, then the oldest of them should lead the prayer".

[Muslim].

In the near future there will be Amirs and you will like their good deeds and dislike their bad deeds. One who sees through their bad deeds (and tries to prevent their repetition by his band or through his speech), is absolved from blame, but one who hates their bad deeds (in the heart of his heart, being unable to prevent their recurrence by his hand or his tongue), is (also) fafe ( so far as God's wrath is concerned). But one who approves of their bad deeds and imitates them is spiritually ruined. People asked (the Holy Prophet): Shouldn't we fight against them? He replied: No, as long as they say their prayers.

No! But he offered his prayers at that place, and he administered the oath of fealty nowhere except near the tree in (the plain oo Hudaibiya. Ibn Juraij said that he was informed by Abu Zabair who heard Jabir b. Abdullah say: The Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) prayed over the well at Hudaibiya (as a result of which its scanty water rose up and increased so as to be sufficient for the 1400 or 1500 men who had encamped at the place).

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "There is a Salat (prayer) between every Adhan and Iqamah; there is a Salat between every Adhan and Iqamah." (While saying the same for the) third time (he (PBUH) added), "It is for him who desires (to perform it)."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud said he never saw God’s messenger observe a prayer out of its proper time with the exception of two, the sunset and the evening prayer, which he combined, and the dawn prayer which he observed that day(i.e. al-Muzdalifa) before its proper time. Bukhari and Muslim.