7.1 Concerning Prayer in the Night
1 Yahya related to me from Malik from Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir from Sa'id ibn al-Jubayr that a man who has approval (as a relater of hadith), told him that 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "If a man prays in the night and sleep overcomes him during it, Allah writes for him the reward of his prayer, and his sleep is sadaqa for him."
[In Abu Dawud and an-Nasa'i]
2 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'n-Nadr, the mawla of 'Umar ibn 'Ubaydullah, from Abu Salama ibn 'Abd ar-Rahman that 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "I used to sleep directly in front of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and my legs were in his qibla. When he prostrated, he would nudge me and I would pull up my legs. When he stood up, I stretched them out again." She added, "In those days there were no lamps in the houses."
[cf Bukhari 375]
3 Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn 'Urwa from his father from 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When one of you nods off while he is praying, he should go and lie down until he is no longer sleepy. If someone prays when he is drowsy, he may not know whether he is asking for forgiveness or asking for something bad for himself."
[cf Bukhari 209]
4 Yahya related to me from Malik from Isma'il from Ibn Abi Hakim that he had heard that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, heard a woman praying at night. He said, "Who is that?" and someone said to him, "It is al-Hawla bint Tuwayt. She does not sleep in the night." The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, disapproved of that and his disapproval showed in his face. Then he said, "Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, does not become weary, but you become weary. Take on whatever is within your capability."
[al-Bukhari has it from 'A'isha]
5 Yahya related to me from Malik from Zayd ibn Aslam from his father that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab used to pray as much as Allah willed in the night until at the end of the night he would wake his family for the prayer. He used to say to them, "The prayer, the prayer." Then he would recite the ayat, "Command your family to pray, and be constant in it. We do not ask you for provision. We provide for you. And the best end result is gained by taqwa." (20:132)
6 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab used to say, "Sleep is disapproved of before 'Isha' as is conversation after it."
7 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to say, "(Voluntary) prayer in both the day and night is two at a time with a taslim after every rak'at."
Malik said, "That is the custom among us."
7.2 How the Prophet Prayed the Witr
8 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from 'Urwa ibn az-Zubayr from 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to pray eleven rak'ats in the night, making them odd with a single one, and when he had finished he lay down on his right side.
[In Muslim]
9 Yahya related to me from Malik from Sa'id ibn Abi Sa'id al-Maqburi from Abu Salama ibn 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn 'Awf that he asked 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, what the prayer of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was like during Ramadan. She said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not exceed eleven rak'ats in Ramadan or at any other time. He prayed four - do not ask me about their beauty or length. Then he prayed another four - do not ask me about their beauty and length. Then he prayed three."
'A'isha continued, "I said, 'Messenger of Allah, do you sleep before you do the witr?' He said, 'A'isha, my eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep.' "
[cf Bukhari 1909]
10 Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn 'Urwa from his father that 'A'isha, Umm al-Muminin said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to pray thirteen rak'ats in the night and then would pray two rak'ats when he heard the adhan for the Subh prayer."
[In Muslim]
11 Yahya related to me from Malik from Makhrama ibn Sulayman from Kurayb, the mawla of Ibn 'Abbas, that 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas told him that he had spent a night at the house of Maimuna, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who was also Ibn 'Abbas' mother's sister. Ibn 'Abbas said, "I lay down with my head on the breadth of the cushion, and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his wife lay down with their heads on its length. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, slept, until, halfway through the night or a little before or after it, he awoke and sat up and wiped the sleep away from his face with his hand. Then he recited the last ten ayats of Sura Ali 'Imran (sura 3). Then he got up and went over to a water-skin which was hanging up and did wudu from it, doing his wudu' thoroughly, and then he stood in prayer."
Ibn 'Abbas continued, "I stood up and did the same and then went and stood by his side. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, put his right hand on my head and took my right ear and tweaked it. He prayed two rak'as, then two rak'ats, then two rak'ats, then two rak'ats, then two rak'ats, then two rak'ats, and then prayed an odd rak'at. Then he lay down until the mu'adhdhin came to him, and then prayed two quick rak'ats, and went out and prayed Subh."
[cf Bukhari 181]
12 Yahya related to me from Malik from 'Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr from his father that 'Abdullah ibn Qays ibn Makhrama told him that Zayd ibn Khalid al-Juhani said one night that he had gone to observe the prayer of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He said, "I rested my head on his threshold. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, got up and prayed two long, long, long rak'ats. Then he prayed two rak'ats which were slightly less long than the two before them. Then he prayed two rak'ats which were slightly less long than the two before them. Then he prayed two rak'ats which were slightly less long than the two before them. Then he prayed two rak'ats which were slightly less long than the two before them. Then he prayed two rak'ats which were slightly less long than the two before them. Then he prayed an odd rak'at, making thirteen rak'ats in all."
[In Muslim]
7.3 The Command to Pray the Witr
13 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' and 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar that a man asked the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, about night prayers. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Night prayers are two by two, and when you are afraid that dawn is approaching, then pray one rak'at as witr to make what you have prayed odd."
[cf Bukhari 946]
14 Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Sa'id from Muhammad ibn Yahya ibn Habban from Ibn Muhayriz that a man from the Kinana tribe called al-Mukhdaji heard a man in Syria known as Abu Muhammad saying, "The witr is obligatory (fard)." Al-Mukhdaji said, "I went to 'Ubada ibn as-Samit and presented myself to him as he was going to the mosque, and told him what Abu Muhammad had said. 'Ubada said that Abu Muhammad had lied and that he had heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'Allah the Majestic and Mighty has written five prayers for mankind, and whoever does them and does not waste anything of them by making light of what is due to them, there is a pact for him with Allah that He will admit him into the Garden. Whoever does not do them, there is no pact for him with Allah. If He wishes, He punishes him, and if He wishes, He admits him into the Garden.' "
[In Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah]
15 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu Bakr ibn 'Umar that Sa'id ibn Yasar said, "I was travelling with 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar on the road to Makka, and fearing that it was nearly dawn I dismounted, prayed the witr and then caught up with him. 'Abdullah said, 'Do you not have a good enough example in the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?' I said, 'Of course, by Allah!' He said, 'The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to pray the witr on his camel.'"
[cf Bukhari 954]
16 Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Sa'id that Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab said, "Abu Bakr as-Siddiq used to pray the witr when he wished to go to bed, and 'Umar ibn al-Khattab used to pray the witr at the end of the night. As for me, I pray the witr when I go to bed."
17 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that a man asked 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar whether the witr was obligatory and 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar replied, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prayed the witr, and the Muslims prayed the witr." The man began repeating his question, and 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar kept saying, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prayed the witr, and the Muslims prayed the witr."
18 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say, "If someone fears that he will sleep through till the morning, let him pray the witr before he goes to sleep, and if someone hopes to wake for the last part of the night, let him delay his witr."
19 Yahya related to me from Malik that Nafi' said, "I was with 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar in Makka. The sky was clouded over and 'Abdullah was worried that dawn was approaching so he prayed one rak'a for witr. Then the clouds cleared and he saw that it was still night, so he made his prayers even by praying one rak'a. Then he continued to pray two rak'ats at a time until, fearing that dawn was approaching, he prayed one rak'a for witr."
20 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to say the taslim between the two rak'as and the one rak'a of witr so that he could ask for something he needed.
21 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab that Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas used to pray witr after 'Isha' with one rak'a.
Malik said, "This is not the practice with us. Rather three is the minimum for witr."
22 Yahya related to me from Malik from 'Abdullah ibn Dinar that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to say, "The Maghrib prayer is the witr of the daytime prayers."
Malik said, "If someone prays the witr at the beginning of the night and goes to sleep and then wakes up and it seems good to him to pray, let him pray - two rak'ats at a time. That is what I like most of what I have heard."
7.4 Praying the Witr After The Break of Dawn
23 Yahya related to me from Malik from 'Abd al-Karm ibn Abi'l-Mukhariq al-Basri from Sa'id ibn Jubayr that 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas went to sleep, and when he woke up, he said to his servant, "Go and see what the people have done," (by that time his sight had gone.) The servant went out and returned saying, "The people have left from Subh," so 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas got up and prayed the witr and then prayed Subh.
24 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas and 'Ubada ibn as-Samit and al-Qasim ibn Muhammad and 'Abdullah ibn 'Amir ibn Rabi'a had all prayed the witr after the break of dawn.
25 Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn 'Urwa from his father that 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said, "I do not mind if the iqama for the Subh prayer is called while I am still praying the witr."
26 Yahya related to me from Malik that Yahya ibn Sa'id said, "'Ubada ibn as-Samit used to lead the people in prayer. One day he came out for Subh and the mu'adhdhin began to give the iqama for the Subh prayer. 'Ubada silenced him, prayed the witr and then led them in Subh."
27 Yahya related to me from Malik that 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn al-Qasim said, "I heard 'Abdullah ibn 'Amir ibn Rabi'a say, 'I sometimes pray the witr while hearing the iqama or after the break of dawn.'" 'Abd ar-Rahman was not certain which he said.
28 Malik related to me that 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn al-Qasim heard his father, al-Qasim ibn Muhammad, say, "I have prayed the witr after dawn."
Malik said, "Only a person who oversleeps so that he has not done the witr prays it after dawn. No one should intentionally do his witr after dawn."
7.5 The Two Rak'ats of Fajr
29 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' from 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar that Hafsa, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, told him that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to pray two quick rak'as after the mu'adhdhin had finished the adhan for the Subh prayer before the iqama was said for the prayer.
[cf Bukhari 593. Also in Muslim]
30 Malik related to me from Yahya ibn Sa'id that 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to pray the two rak'as of the dawn (fajr) so quickly that I would ask myself whether he had recited the Umm al-Qur'an or not.'"
[al-Bukhari (with a connected isnad) and Muslim)
31 Yahya related to me from Malik from Sharik ibn 'Abdullah ibn Abi Namir that Abu Salama ibn 'Abd ar-Rahman said, "Some people heard the iqama and started to pray. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came out and said, 'Are you doing two prayers at the same time? Are you doing two prayers at the same time?' That was about the Subh prayer and the two rak'ats before Subh."
32 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar missed the two rak'as of dawn and then prayed them after the sun had risen.
33 Yahya related to me from Malik from 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn al-Qasim that al-Qasim ibn Muhammad had done the same as Ibn 'Umar.
8.1 The Superiority of Prayer in Congregation over Prayer Alone
1 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' from 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Prayer in a group is twenty-seven times better than the prayer of a man by himself."
[cf Bukhari 619]
2 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Prayer in a group is twenty five degrees times better than the prayer of one of you on his own."
[cf Bukhari 621]
3 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'z-Zinad from al-A'raj from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "By Him in Whose hand my soul is, I seriously considered ordering someone to collect firewood, ordering the prayer be called, appointing a man to lead the prayer and then coming up behind certain men and burning their houses down about them! By Him in whose hand my soul is, if any of them had known they would find a meaty bone or two good hooves, they would have attended 'Isha'."
[cf Bukhari 618]
4 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'n-Nadr, the mawla of 'Umar ibn 'Ubaydullah, from Yusr ibn Sa'id that Zayd ibn Thabit said, "The most excellent prayer is your prayer in your house, except for the prescribed prayers."
8.2 The 'Isha' and Subh Prayers
5 Yahya related to me from Malik from 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn Harmala al-Aslami from Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "What separates us from the hypocrites is being present at 'Isha ' and Subh. They cannot do it," or words to that effect.
6 Yahya related to me from Malik from Sumayy, the mawla of Abu Bakr ibn 'Abd ar-Rahman from Abu Salih from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "If a man who is walking along a road finds a branch of thorns on the road and removes it, Allah thanks him for doing it and forgives him."
He also said, "Martyrs are five: the one killed by a plague, the one killed by a disease of the belly, the one who drowns, the one killed by a collapsing building and the martyr in the path of Allah."
He also said, "If people knew what there was in the call to prayer and the first row, and they could find no other way except to draw lots for it, they would draw lots for it. And if they knew what there was in doing Dhuhr at its time, they would race each other to it. And if they knew what there was in the prayers of 'Isha 'and Subh, they would come to them even if they had to crawl."
[cf Bukhari 624]
7 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Abu Bakr ibn Sulayman ibn Abi Hathma that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab missed Sulayman ibn Abi Hathma in the Subh prayer. In the morning he went to the market, and Sulayman's house was between the market and the Prophet's mosque. He passed ash-Shifa', Sulayman's mother, and said to her, "I did not see Sulayman at Subh." She replied, "He spent the night in prayer and sleep overcame him." 'Umar said, "I would rather be present at Subh than stand the whole night in prayer."
8 Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Sa'id from Muhammad ibn Ibrahim that 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn Abi 'Amra al-Ansari said that 'Uthman ibn 'Affan came to the 'Isha' prayer and seeing only a few people in the mosque, he lay down at the back of the mosque to wait for the number of people to increase. Ibn Abi 'Amra went and sat down beside him and 'Uthman asked him who he was, so he told him. 'Uthman said, "What have you memorised of the Qur'an?", and he told him. 'Uthman said, "If someone is present at 'Isha', it is as if he had stood in prayer for half a night, and if someone is present at Subh, it is as if he had stood in prayer for a whole night."
8.3 Repeating the Prayer with the Imam
9 Yahya related to me from Malik from Zayd ibn Aslam from a man of the Banu'd-Dil called Busr ibn Mihjan from his father, Mihjan, that he was in a gathering with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the call to prayer was made. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, rose and prayed and then returned. Mihjan remained sitting and did not pray with him. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "What prevented you from praying with the people? Aren't you a Muslim?" He said, "Of course, Messenger of Allah, but I have already prayed with my family." The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When you come, pray with the people, even if you have prayed already."
[In an-Nasa'i]
10 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that a man asked 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, "Sometimes I pray in my house and then catch the prayer with the imam, should I pray with him?" 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar said to him, "Yes," and the man said, "Which of them do I make my prayer?" 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar said, "Is that up to you? It is up to Allah. He will decide on whichever of them He wishes."
11 Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Sa'id that a man asked Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab, "I pray in my house and then I come to the mosque and find the imam praying, should I pray with him?" Sa'id said, "Yes", and the man said, "Which of them is my prayer?" Sa'id said, "Are you the one to decide that? That is up to Allah."
12 Yahya related to me from Malik from 'Afif as-Sahmi that a man from the tribe of Banu Asad asked Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, "Sometimes I pray in my house and then come to the mosque and find the imam praying, should I pray with him?" Abu Ayyub said, "Yes, pray with him, for someone who does so has the reward of the group or the equivalent of the reward of the group."
13 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to say, "Someone who prays Maghrib or Subh and then catches them with the imam should not repeat them."
Malik said, "I do not see any harm in someone who has already prayed in his house praying with the imam, except for Maghrib, because if he repeats it, he makes it even."
8.4 Praying in a Group of People
14 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'z-Zinad from al-A'raj from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When you lead people in the prayer, make it short, because there are among them some people who are weak, ill and old. But when you pray on your own, make it as long as you wish."
[cf Bukhari 671]
15 Yahya related to me from Malik that Nafi' said, "I stood behind 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar in one of the prayers when there was no one else with him, and he reached behind with his hand and placed me beside him."
16 Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Sa'id that a man used to lead the people in prayer in al-'Aqiq (a place near Madina), and 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz sent a message to him forbidding him to do so.
Malik said, "He only forbade him because his father was not known."
8.5 Prayer behind an Imam when He Prays Sitting
17 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Anas ibn Malik that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, fell off his horse when riding, and his right side was grazed, so he did one of the prayers sitting, and we prayed behind him sitting. When he left he said, "The imam is appointed to be followed. If he prays standing, then pray standing, and when he goes into ruku', go into ruku', and when he rises, rise, and when he says, 'Allah hears whoever praises him,' say, 'Our Lord, praise belongs to You', and if he prays sitting, then all of you pray sitting."
[cf Bukhari 657]
18 Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn 'Urwa from his father that 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, when he prayed while he was ill, prayed sitting, and some people prayed behind him standing, and he indicated to them to sit down. When he left, he said, 'The imam is only appointed to be followed. When he goes into ruku', go into ruku' and when he rises, rise and if he prays sitting, pray sitting.'"
[cf Bukhari 656]
19 Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn 'Urwa from his father that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came out during his illness, and approached and found Abu Bakr standing, leading the people in prayer. Abu Bakr began to withdraw, but the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, indicated to him to stay where he was. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sat by the side of Abu Bakr, and Abu Bakr prayed following the prayer of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who was sitting, and the people prayed following the prayer of Abu Bakr.
[cf Bukhari 656]
8.6 The Excellence of Prayer Standing over Prayer Sitting
20 Yahya related to me from Malik from Isma'il ibn Muhammad ibn Sa'id ibn Abi Waqqas from a mawla of 'Amr ibn al-'As or of 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The prayer of one of you sitting down is only equal to half the prayer of one of you when he is standing."
[In Muslim, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah]
21 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab that 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As said, "When we arrived at Madina we were struck down by a severe epidemic which debilitated us greatly. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came out to the people while they were praying nawafil prayers sitting down. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'The prayer of the one sitting is equal to only half the prayer of the one standing.'"
8.7 Praying Voluntary Prayers (Nawafil)
22 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from as-Sa'ib ibn Yazid from al-Muttalib ibn Abi Wada'a as-Sahmi that Hafsa, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "I never saw the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, praying nawafil sitting until a year before his death, when he began to pray them sitting. He would recite the sura with a measured slowness so that it would seem to be longer than other suras which were actually longer than it."
[In Muslim]
23 Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn 'Urwa from his father that 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, told him that she had never seen the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, doing night prayers sitting down until he was getting on in years. He would recite sitting down until when he wanted to go into ruku', he would stand up and recite about thirty or forty ayats and then go into ruku'.
[cf Bukhari 1067]
24 Yahya related to me from Malik from 'Abdullah ibn Yazid al-Madani and from Abu'n-Nadr from Abu Salama ibn 'Abd ar-Rahman from 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to pray sitting. He would recite sitting, and then, when about thirty or forty ayats of what he was reciting remained, he would stand up and recite standing and then go into ruku' and sajda. He would do the same in the second rak'at.
[cf Bukhari 1068]
25 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that 'Urwa ibn az-Zubayr and Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab used to pray voluntary prayers sitting.
8.8 The Middle Prayer
26 Yahya related to me from Malik from Zayd ibn Aslam from al-Qa'qa' ibn Hakim that Abu Yunus, the mawla of 'A'isha, Umm al-Muminin, said, "'A'isha ordered me to write out a Qur'an for her. She said, 'When you reach this ayat, let me know, "Safeguard the prayer - especially the middle prayer. Stand in obedience to Allah." (2:238) 'When I reached it I told her, and she dictated to me, 'Safeguard the prayer - especially the middle prayer and the 'Asr prayer. Stand in obedience to Allah. ' 'A'isha said, 'I heard it from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.'"
[Muslim]
27 Yahya related to me from Malik from Zayd ibn Aslam that 'Amr ibn Rafi' said, "I was writing out a Qur'an for Hafsa, Umm al-Muminin, and she said, 'When you reach this ayat, let me know: "Safeguard the prayer - especially the middle prayer. Stand in obedience to Allah." (2:238) When I reached it I told her and she dictated to me, 'Safeguard the prayer - especially the middle prayer and the 'Asr prayer. Stand in obedience to Allah. '"
28 Yahya related to me from Malik from Da'ud ibn al-Husayn that Ibn Yarbu' al-Makhzumi said, "I heard Zayd ibn Thabit say, 'The middle prayer is the Dhuhr prayer.'"
[In Abu Dawud marfu']
29 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that 'Ali ibn Abi Talib and 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas used to say, "The middle prayer is the Subh prayer."
Malik said, "Out of all that I have heard about the matter, I prefer what 'Ali ibn Abi Talib and 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas said."
8.9 Permission to Pray in One Garment
30 Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn 'Urwa from his father that 'Umar ibn Abi Salama saw the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, praying in one garment in the house of Umm Salama. He was completely covered by it, and had put both ends crossed over his shoulders.
[cf Bukhari 348]
31 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked about praying in one garment. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Do you all have two garments?"
[cf Bukhari 351]
32 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab that Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab said that Abu Hurayra was asked, "May a man pray in one garment?" "Yes, " he replied. The man then asked him, "Do you do that?" and he answered, "Yes, I pray in one garment while my clothes are on the clothes-rack."
33 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that Jabir ibn 'Abdullah used to pray in one garment.
34 Yahya related to me from Malik from Rabi'a ibn Abi 'Abd ar-Rahman that Muhammad ibn 'Amr ibn Hazm used to pray in a single long shirt.
35 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard from Jabir ibn 'Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Let anyone who cannot find two garments pray in one garment and wrap himself in it, and if the garment is short, let him wrap it around his waist."
[cf Bukhari 351]
Malik said, "In my view it is preferable for someone who prays in a single shirt to put a garment or a turban over his shoulders."
8.10 Permission for a Woman to Pray in a Shift and Head-Covering
36 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to pray in a shift and head-covering.
37 Yahya related to me from Malik from Muhammad ibn Zayd ibn Qunfudh that his mother asked Umm Salama, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, what clothes a woman could wear in the prayer. She said, "She can pray in a shift that reaches down and covers the top of her feet."
[In Abu Dawud]
38 Yahya related to me from Malik from a reliable source from Bukayr ibn 'Abdullah ibn al-Ashajj from Busr ibn Sa'id that when 'Ubaydullah ibn al-Aswad al-Khawlani was in the room of Maymuna, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, she used to pray in a shift and head-covering, without a waist-wrapper.
39 Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn 'Urwa from his father that a woman asked him for a decision, saying, "Waist-wrappers are painful to me. Can I pray in a shift and head-covering?" He replied, "Yes, if the shift is long."
9 Shortening the Prayer in a Journey
9.1 Joining Two Prayers when Settled and when Travelling
1 Yahya related to me from Malik from Da'ud ibn al-Husayn from al-A'raj from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, joined Dhuhr and 'Asr on his journey to Tabuk.
2 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'z-Zubayr al-Makki from Abu't-Tufayl 'Amir ibn Wathila that Mu'adh ibn Jabal told him that they went out with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the year of Tabuk, and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, joined Dhuhr with 'Asr and Maghrib with 'Isha'. Mu'adh said, "One day he delayed the prayer and then came out and prayed Dhuhr and 'Asr together. Then he said, 'Tomorrow you will come, Allah willing, to the spring of Tabuk. But you will not get there until well into the morning. No one who arrives should touch any of its water until I come.' We came to it and two men had got to it before us and the spring was dripping with a little water. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, asked them, 'Have you touched any of its water?' They said, 'Yes.' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, reviled them and said what Allah wished him to say. Then they took water with their hands from the spring little by little until it had been collected in something. Then the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, washed his face and hands in it. Then he put it back into the spring and the spring flowed with an abundance of water and the people drew water from it. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'If you live long enough, Mu'adh, you will see this place filled with gardens.' "
[Muslim]
3 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to join Maghrib and 'Isha' together when it was urgent to travel."
[Muslim]
4 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'z-Zubayr al-Makki from Sa'id ibn Jubayr that 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prayed Dhuhr and 'Asr together and Maghrib and 'Isha' together, and not out of fear nor because of travelling."
Malik said, "I believe that was during rain."
5 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to join the prayer behind the amirs if they joined Maghrib and 'Isha' in the rain.
6 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab that he had asked Salim ibn 'Abdullah, "Can you join Dhuhr and 'Asr when travelling?" He said, "Yes, there is no harm in that. Have you not seen the people praying at 'Arafa?"
7 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that 'Ali ibn Husayn used to say, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would join Dhuhr and 'Asr if he wished to travel the same day, and he would join Maghrib and 'Isha' if he wished to travel the same night."
9.2 Shortening the Prayer in Travel
8 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from a man of the family of Khalid ibn Asid that he said to 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, "Abu 'Abd ar-Rahman, we find the fear prayer and the prayer when settled mentioned in the Qur'an, but we do not find any mention of the travelling prayer in it." Ibn 'Umar said, "Son of my brother! Allah the Mighty and Majestic sent us Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and we know nothing. We only do as we saw him doing."
[an-Nasa'i]
9 Yahya related to me from Malik from Salih ibn Kaysan from 'Urwa ibn az-Zubayr that 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The prayer was prescribed as two rak'ats, whether resident or travelling. Then the travelling prayer was kept the same but the residential prayer was increased."
[cf Bukhari 343]
10 Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Sa'id that he asked Salim ibn 'Abdullah what was the latest he had seen his father delay Maghrib while on a journey and Salim replied, "One time the sun set when we were at Dhat al-Jaysh and he prayed Maghrib at al-'Aqiq*."
* It is twelve miles between al-'Aqiq and Dhat al-Jaysh.
9.3 Circumstances in which the Prayer has to be Shortened
11 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, began to shorten the prayer at Dhu'l-Hulayfa when he left for hajj or 'umra.
12 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Salim ibn 'Abdullah that his father rode for some distance and shortened the prayer on the journey.
Malik said, "That was about four mail-stages." (approximately forty-eight miles).
13 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' from Salim ibn 'Abdullah that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar rode to Dhat an-Nusub and shortened the prayer on the journey.
Malik said, "There are four mail-stages between Dhat an-Nusub and Madina."
14 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' from Ibn 'Umar that he used to travel to Khaybar* and would shorten the prayer.
* Ninety-six miles from Madina.
15 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Salim ibn 'Abdullah that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to shorten the prayer when he travelled for a whole day.
16 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that he used to travel one mail-stage with Ibn 'Umar and he would not shorten the prayer.
17 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas used to shorten the prayer when he travelled a distance equivalent to that between Makka and Ta'if, and that between Makka and 'Usfan, and that between Makka and Jidda.
Malik said, "That is four mail-stages, and to me that is the most preferable distance for shortening the prayer."
Malik said, "The one who intends to travel does not shorten the prayer until he has left the houses of the settlement. And he does not do it in full until he reaches the first houses of his place of destination, or is nearby."
9.4 The prayer of a traveller when undecided whether to remain in a place or not
18 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Salim ibn 'Abdullah that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to say, "I pray the prayer of a traveller as long as I am undecided whether to remain somewhere or not, even if I am detained for twelve nights."
19 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that Ibn 'Umar stayed in Makka for ten nights, shortening the prayer, except when he prayed it behind an imam, in which case he followed the imam's prayer.
9.5 Doing the full prayer when one decides to remain in a place
20 Yahya related to me from Malik from 'Ata' al-Khurasani that he heard Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab say, "A traveller who has decided to remain somewhere for four nights does the prayer in full."
Malik said, "That is what I prefer most out of what I have heard."
Malik when asked about the prayer of a prisoner, said, "It is the same as the prayer of a person who remains in one place, except if he is travelling."
9.6 The Prayer of a Traveller when Imam, or Behind an Imam
21 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Salim ibn 'Abdullah from his father that when 'Umar ibn al-Khattab went to Makka, he used to lead them in prayer and do two rak'ats and then say, "People of Makka, complete the prayer. We are a group who are travelling."
22 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to pray four rak'ats behind the imam at Mina, and when he prayed by himself he would pray two rak'ats.
23 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab that Safwan said, "'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to come and visit 'Abdullah ibn Safwan and he would pray two rak'ats with us, and when he finished we would stand and complete the prayer."
9.7 Voluntary Prayers while Travelling, by Day and at Night, and Praying on a Riding Beast
24 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar never used to pray any prayer besides the fard prayer, either before it or after it, while travelling, except in the depths of the night. He would pray on the ground or on his mount, whichever way it was facing.
25 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that al-Qasim ibn Muhammad and 'Urwa ibn az-Zubayr and Abu Bakr ibn 'Abd ar-Rahman used to pray nawafil prayers when travelling.
26 Yahya related to me that Malik said. "I have heard from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to see his son, 'Ubaydullah ibn 'Abdullah, doing voluntary prayers on a journey and he would not disapprove of it."
27 Yahya related to me from Malik from 'Amr ibn Yahya al-Mazini from Abu'l-Hubab Sa'id ibn Yasar that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar said, "I saw the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, praying on a donkey while heading towards Khaybar."
[In Muslim]
28 Yahya related to me from Malik from 'Abdullah ibn Dinar from 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to pray on his mount while travelling, whichever way it was facing.
'Abdullah ibn Dinar said, "'Abdullah ibn 'Umar would also do that."
[cf Bukhari 1045]
29 Yahya related to me from Malik that Yahya ibn Sa'id said, "I saw Anas ibn Malik on a journey praying on a donkey facing away from the qibla. He did the rak'at and the sajda by motioning with his head without putting his face on anything."
9.8 The Duha Prayer
30 Yahya related to me from Malik from Musa ibn Maysara from Abu Murra, the mawla of 'Aqil ibn Abi Talib, that Umm Hani bint Abi Talib told him that in the Year of the Conquest the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prayed eight rak'ats, covering himself with one garment.
31 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'n-Nadr, the mawla of 'Umar ibn 'Ubaydullah, that Abu Murra, the mawla of 'Aqil ibn Abi Talib, told him that he heard Umm Hani bint Abi Talib say, "I went to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the Year of the Conquest and found him doing ghusl while his daughter, Fatima, was screening him with a garment. I said to him, 'Peace be upon you' and he asked, 'Who is that?' I replied, 'Umm Hani bint Abi Talib,' and he said, 'Welcome, Umm Hani!' When he had finished his ghusl, he stood and prayed eight rak'ats, covering himself with one garment, and then came away. I said, 'Messenger of Allah, the son of my mother, 'Ali, says that he is determined to kill so-and-so, son of Hubayra, a man I have placed under my protection.' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'We give protection to whoever you have given protection to, Umm Hani.' "
Umm Hani related that this incident happened in the morning.
[cf Bukhari 350]
32 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from 'Urwa ibn az-Zubayr that 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'I never once saw the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, doing the voluntary prayer of Duha, but I myself would do it. Sometimes the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would refrain from a practice that he loved to do, fearing that people would do the same and it would become obligatory (fard) for them."
[cf Bukhari 1076]
33 Yahya related to me from Malik from Zayd ibn Aslam from 'A'isha that she used to pray Duha with eight rak'as, and she would say,"I would never stop doing them even if my parents were to be brought back to life."
9.9 General Remarks about the Voluntary Prayer of Duha
34 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ishaq ibn 'Abdullah ibn Abi Talha from Anas ibn Malik that his grandmother, Mulayka, invited the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, for food and he ate some of it. Then the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Get up and I will lead you in prayer."
Anas said, "I stood up and took a woven mat belonging to us that had become black through long use and sprinkled it with water, and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, stood on it. The orphan and I formed a row behind him, and the old woman stood behind us. He prayed two rak'ats with us and then left."
[cf Bukhari 822]
35 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab that 'Ubaydullah ibn 'Abdullah ibn 'Utba said, "I visited 'Umar ibn al-Khattab just before noon and found him praying a voluntary prayer, so I stood behind him, but he pulled me nearer and put me next to him on his right hand side, and then Yarfa came and I moved back and we formed a row behind him."
9.10 Warning against Passing in Front of a Person Praying
36 Yahya related to me from Malik from Zayd ibn Aslam from 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn Abi Sa'id al-Khudri from his father that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Do not let anyone pass in front of you when you are praying. Repel him as much as you can, and, if he refuses, fight him, for he is only a shaytan."
[cf Bukhari 487]
37 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'n-Nadr, the mawla of 'Umar ibn 'Ubaydullah, from Busr ibn Sa'id that Zayd ibn Khalid al-Juhani sent him to Abu Juhaym to ask him what he had heard from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, about passing in front of someone praying. Abu Juhaym said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "If the person passing in front of a man praying knew what he was incurring, he would find it preferable to wait forty rather than pass in front of him."
Abu'n-Nadr said, "I do not know whether he said forty days or months or years."
[cf Bukhari 488]
38 Yahya related to me from Malik from Zayd ibn Aslam from 'Ata' ibn Yasar that Ka'b al-Ahbar said, "If the person who passed in front of a man praying knew what he was bringing on himself, it would seem better to him to sink into the ground than to pass in front of him."
39 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to disapprove of passing in front of women while they were praying.
40 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar would neither pass in front of anyone nor let anyone pass in front of him.
9.11 Permission to Pass in Front of Someone Praying
41 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from 'Ubaydullah ibn 'Abdullah ibn 'Utba ibn Mas'ud that 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas said, "I came riding up on a donkey while the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was leading the people in prayer at Mina, and I was at that time nearing puberty. I passed in front of part of the row, dismounted, sent the donkey off to graze, and then joined the row, and no one rebuked me for doing so."
[cf Bukhari 471]
42 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that Sa'id ibn Abi Waqqas used to pass in front of some of the rows while the prayer was in progress.
Malik said, "I consider that it is permissible to do that if the iqama for the prayer has been said and the imam has said the initial takbir and a man cannot find any way into the mosque except by going between the rows."
43 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that 'Ali ibn Abi Talib said, "Things that pass in front of a man praying do not break his prayer."
Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Salim ibn 'Abdullah that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to say, "Things that pass in front of a man praying do not break his prayer."
9.12 The Sutra of a Traveller Praying
44 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar would use the animal he was riding as a sutra when he prayed.
Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn 'Urwa that his father used to pray in the desert without a sutra.
9.13 Brushing Away Small Stones in the Prayer
45 Yahya related to me from Malik that Abu Ja'far al-Qari said, "I saw 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar quickly brush away the small stones from the place where he was going to put his forehead as he was going down into sajda."
46 Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Sa'id that he had heard that Abu Dharr used to say, "Brush away the small stones with one sweep, but leaving them is better than a red camel."
[In Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
9.14 Straightening the Rows
47 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab used to order the rows to be straightened, and when they had come to him and told him that the rows were straight, then he would say the takbir.
48 Yahya related to me from Malik from his paternal uncle, Abu Suhayl ibn Malik, that his father said, "I was with 'Uthman ibn 'Affan when the iqama was said for the prayer and I was talking to him about being assigned a definite allowance by him. I continued talking to him while he was levelling some small stones with his sandals, and then some men that he had entrusted to straighten the rows came and told him that the rows were straight. He said, to me, 'Line up in the row,' and then he said the takbir."
9.15 Placing One Hand on the Other in the Prayer
49 Yahya related to me from Malik that 'Abd al-Karim ibn Abi'l-Mukhariq al-Basri said, "Among things the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said and did are: 'As long as you do not feel ashamed, do whatever you wish', the placing of one hand on the other in prayer (one places the right hand on the left), being quick to break the fast, and delaying the meal before dawn."
[The first half is marfu' to Abu Mas'ud 'Uqba al-Ansari. ]
50 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu Hazim ibn Dinar that Sahl ibn Sa'd said, "People used to be ordered to place their right hands on their left forearms in the prayer."
Abu Hazim added, "I know for sure that Sahl traces that back to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace."
[cf. Bukhari 707]
9.16 Qunut in the Subh Prayer
51 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar did not say qunut in any of the prayers.
9.17 Prohibition against a man praying when wishing to relieve himself
52 Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn 'Urwa from his father that 'Abdullah ibn al-Arqam used to lead his companions in prayer. The time for prayer came one day and he went to relieve himself. When he returned, he said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'If you wish to defecate, you should do so before the prayer.'"
[In Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi and an-Nasa'i]
53 Yahya related to me from Malik from Zayd ibn Aslam that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab said, "You should not pray while you are holding your bowels."
9.18 Waiting for the Prayer and Walking to it
54 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'z-Zinad from al-A'raj from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The angels ask for blessings on each one of you as long as he is in the place where he has prayed and has not broken wudu', saying, 'Allah, forgive him. Allah have mercy on him.'"
Malik said, "I do not consider that his words, 'has not discharged anything' refer to anything other than the discharges that break wudu'."
[cf Bukhari 628]
55 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'z-Zinad from al-A'raj from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "You are in prayer as long as the prayer detains you and there is nothing that prevents you from returning to your family except the prayer."
[cf Bukhari 628]
56 Yahya related to me from Malik from Sumayy, the mawla of Abu Bakr, that Abu Bakr ibn 'Abd ar-Rahman used to say, "Someone who goes to the mosque in the morning or the afternoon with no intention of going anywhere else, either to learn good or teach it, is like someone who does jihad in the way of Allah and returns with booty."
57 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nu'aym ibn 'Abdullah al-Mujmir that he heard Abu Hurayra say, "If any one of you prays and then sits down in the spot where he has prayed, the angels ask blessings on him saying, 'Allah, forgive him. Allah, have mercy on him.' And if he moves from the spot where he has prayed and sits elsewhere in the mosque waiting for the prayer, he remains in prayer until he prays."
58 Yahya related to me from Malik from al-'Ala' ibn 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn Ya'qub from his father from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Shall I tell you the things by which Allah erases wrong actions and by which He raises ranks: the complete and correct performance of wudu' in adverse conditions, a great number of steps towards the mosque, and waiting after one prayer for the next prayer. That is the firm handhold, that is the firm handhold, that is the firm handhold."
[Muslim]
59 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab said, "It is said that no one except a hypocrite leaves the mosque after the call to prayer, except for someone who intends to return."
60 Yahya related to me from Malik from 'Amir ibn 'Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr from 'Amr ibn Sulaym az-Zuraqi from Abu Qatada al-Ansari that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When you enter the mosque, you should pray two rak'ats before you sit down."
[cf Bukhari 433]
61 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'n-Nadr, the mawla of 'Umar ibn 'Ubaydullah, that Abu Salama ibn 'Abd ar-Rahman asked him, "Didn't I see your master sit down before praying after he had entered the mosque?"
Abu'n-Nadr said, "By that he meant 'Umar ibn 'Ubaydullah, and he was finding fault with him for sitting down before praying after he had come into the mosque."
Yahya said that Malik said, "It is good to do that but not obligatory."
9.19 Placing the Hands Flat on the Surface by the Face in Prostration
62 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to place his palms flat on the surface where he put his forehead. Nafi' said, "I have seen him take his hands out from under his burnous on a very cold day and place them on the ground."
63 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to say, "When any of you puts his forehead on the ground he should put his palms on the surface on which he puts his forehead. Then, when he rises, he should raise them, for the hands prostrate just as the face prostrates."
9.20 Turning and Clapping when Necessary during the Prayer
64 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu Hazim Salama ibn Dinar from Sahl ibn Sa'id as-Sa'idi that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went to the tribe of Banu 'Amr ibn 'Awf to settle their disputes. The time for the prayer came and the mu'adhdhin came to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq and asked, "Could you lead the people in prayer and I will say the iqama?" He said, "Yes", and Abu Bakr started to pray. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, arrived while the people were doing the prayer and went through until he was standing in the row. People clapped, but Abu Bakr did not turn round from his prayer. When the people increased their clapping, he turned and saw the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, indicated to him to stay in his place. Abu Bakr raised his hands and praised Allah that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, had told him to do that. Then he drew back until he was in the row, and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, stepped forward and led the prayer. When he had finished he said, "Abu Bakr, what stopped you from staying put like I told you?" Abu Bakr said, "It is not for Ibn Abi Quhafa to pray in front of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace."
The Messenger of Alllah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Why did I see you all clapping so much? If something happens while you are in the prayer you should say 'Subhanallah' (Glory be to Allah), and when you say Subhanallah, attention will be paid to you. Clapping is for women."
[cf. Bukhari 652]
65 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that Ibn 'Umar would never turn around when praying.
66 Yahya related to me from Malik that Abu Ja'far al-Qari said, "I was praying, and 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar was behind me and I was not aware of it. Then I turned round and he prodded me (in disapproval)."
9.21 Joining the prayer while the Imam is in Ruku'
67 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab that Abu Umama ibn Sahl ibn Hunayf said, "Zayd ibn Thabit entered the mosque and found the people in ruku', so he went into ruku' and then moved slowly forward until he reached the row."
68 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud used to move forward while in ruku'.
9.22 The prayer on the Prophet, May Allah Bless Him and Grant Him Peace
69 Yahya related to me from Malik from 'Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr ibn Hazim from his father that 'Amr ibn Sulaym az-Zuraqi said, "Abu Humayd as-Sa'idi told me that they asked the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, how they were to ask for blessings upon him and he replied that they should say, 'O Allah, bless Muhammad and his wives and his descendants as You blessed the family of Ibrahim, and grant blessing to Muhammad and his wives and his descendants as You granted blessing to the family of Ibrahim. You are worthy of Praise and Glorious.'"
"Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa azwajihi wa dhuriyyatihi kama sallayta 'ala ali Ibrahim, wa barik 'ala Muhammad wa azwajihi wa dhukama barakta 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka hamidun majid."
[cf. Bukhari 3189]
70 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nu'aym ibn 'Abdullah al-Mujmir that Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah ibn Zayd told him that Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came to us at the gathering of Sa'd ibn 'Ubada. Bashir ibn Sa'd said to him, 'Allah has ordered us to ask for blessings on you, Messenger of Allah. How should we do it?' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, remained silent until we wished we had not asked him. Then he told us to say, 'O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibrahim, and grant blessing to Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You granted blessing to the family of Ibrahim in all the worlds .You are worthy of Praise and Glorious,' and then give the taslim as you have learnt."
"Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahim, wa barik 'ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad kama barakta 'ala ali Ibrahim fi'l 'alamin. Innaka hamidun majid."
[In Muslim]
71 Yahya related to me from Malik that 'Abdullah ibn Dinar said, "I saw 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar stop by the grave of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and ask for blessings on the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and on Abu Bakr and 'Umar."
9.23 How to Do the Prayer in General
72 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' from Ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to pray two rak'as before Dhuhr and two rak'as after it, two rak'as after Maghrib, in his house, and two rak'as after 'Isha'. He did not pray after Jumu'a until he had left the mosque, and then he prayed two rak'as.
[cf Bukhari 895]
73 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'z-Zinad from al-A'raj from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Do you see the direction I am facing here? By Allah, neither your humbleness nor your ruku' is hidden from me. I can see you behind my back."
[cf Bukhari 408]
74 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' from 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar that when the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to go to Quba (to pray), he would walk as well as ride.
[cf. Bukhari 1136]
75 Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Sa'id from an-Nu'man ibn Murra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "What about drunkenness, stealing and adultery?" That was before anything had been revealed about them. They said, "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said, "They are excesses and in them is a punishment. And the worst of thieves is the one who steals his prayer." They said, "How can someone steal his prayer, Messenger of Allah?" He replied, "By not performing ruku' or sajda properly."
[mursal]
76 Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn 'Urwa from his father that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Perform some of the prayers in your houses."
[mursal]
77 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to say, "When a sick man is unable to prostrate he should motion with his head and not raise anything to his forehead."
78 Yahya related to me from Malik from Rabi'a ibn Abi 'Abd ar-Rahman that if 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar arrived at the mosque and the people had already prayed, he would begin with the obligatory prayer and not pray anything before it.
79 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar passed by a man who was praying and said, "Peace be upon you," and the man replied to him. 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar returned to him and said, "When someone says, 'Peace be upon you' to you while you are praying do not reply, but give a signal with your hand."
80 Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi' that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to say, "Someone who only remembers that he has forgotten a prayer when he is praying the next prayer behind an imam should pray the prayer he has forgotten after the imam has said the taslim and then pray the other one again."
81 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ya hya ibn Sa'id from Muhammad ibn Yahya ibn Habban that his paternal uncle, Wasi' ibn Habban, said, "I was praying, and 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar was resting his back against the wall of the qibla. When I had finished the prayer I turned towards him on my left-hand side. 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar said, 'What stopped you from turning away to your right?' I replied, 'I saw you and turned towards you.' 'Abdullah said, 'You have spoken correctly. People say that you should turn away to your right, but when you pray you can turn whichever way you wish. If you like, to your right, and if you like, to your left."
82 Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn 'Urwa from his father that one of the Muhajirun in whom he saw no harm asked 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As, "Can I pray in a place where camels are watered?" 'Abdullah replied, "No, but you can pray in a sheep-pen."
[In Abu Dawud]
83 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab that Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab asked, "In which prayer do you remain in the sitting position in every rak'at?" Sa'id replied, "It is Maghrib when you miss one rak'at, and that is the sunna in all the prayers."
9.24 Prayer in General
84 Yahya related to me from Malik from 'Amir ibn 'Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr from 'Amr ibn Sulaym az-Zuraqi from Abu Qatada al-Ansari that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to pray carrying Umama, the daughter of Zaynab, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah, and Abu'l-'As ibn Rabi'a ibn 'Abd Shams. When he prostrated, he put her down . When he stood up, he lifted her up again.
[cf Bukhari 494]
85 Yahya related to me from Abu'z-Zinad from al-A'raj from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "There are angels which take turns in being with you in the night and other angels in the day and they meet together at the prayers of 'Asr and Fajr prayers. Then the ones who were with you during the night ascend and Allah asks them - although He knows better than they do - 'How were My slaves when you left them?' They say, 'When we left them they were praying and when we came to them, they were praying.'"
[cf Bukhari 530]
86 Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn 'Urwa from his father from 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer." 'A'isha said, "Messenger of Allah, when Abu Bakr stands in your place his voice does not reach the ears of the people because of his weeping, so tell 'Umar to lead the people in prayer." He said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer."
'A'isha continued, "I told Hafsa to tell him that when Abu Bakr stood in his place his voice did not reach the ears of the people because of his weeping, and that he should tell 'Umar to lead the people in prayer. Hafsa did so, and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'You are the companions of Yusuf! (referring to the women who cut their hands when they saw the beauty of Yusuf thereby displaying their hidden opposition). Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer!' "
'A'isha added that Hafsa said to her, "I have never had anything good from you!"
[cf Bukhari 647]
87 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from 'Ata' ibn Yazid al-Laythi that 'Ubaydullah ibn 'Adi ibn al-Khiyar said, "Once when the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was sitting with some people, a man came to him and spoke secretly to him. Nobody knew what he had said until the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, disclosed that he had asked for permission to kill one of the hypocrites. When he disclosed this, the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Does he not testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah?' The man replied, 'Of course, but he hasn't really done so.' He said, 'Does he not do the prayer?' and the man replied, 'Of course, but he doesn't really do the prayer.' He said, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, 'Those are the ones whom Allah has forbidden me (to kill).' "
[mursal]
88 Yahya related to me from Malik from Zayd ibn Aslam from 'Ata' ibn Yasar that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "O Allah! Do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped. The anger on those who took the graves of their Prophets as places of prostration was terrible."
[mursal]
89 Yahya related to me from Malik from ibn Shihab from Mahmud ibn Rabi' al-Ansari that 'Itban ibn Malik, who was a blind man, used to lead his people in prayer, and he said to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, "Sometimes it is dark and rainy and there is a lot of water around outside, and I am a man who has lost his sight. Messenger of Allah, pray in a certain place in my house so that I can take it as a place to pray." The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came to him and said, "Where would you like me to pray?" He indicated a place to him and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prayed there.
[cf Bukhari 647]
90 Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from 'Abbad ibn Tamim from his paternal uncle that he saw the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, lying down in the mosque with one foot on top of the other.
Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab and 'Uthman ibn 'Affan, may Allah be pleased with them, useed to do the same.
[cf Bukhari 463]
91 Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Sa'id that 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said to a certain man, "You are in a time when men of understanding (fuqaha') are many and Qur'an reciters are few, when the hudud defined in the Qur'an are guarded and its letters are neglected, when few people ask and many give, when they make the prayer long and the khutba short, and put their actions before their desires. A time will come upon people when their fuqaha' are few but their Qur'an reciters are many, when the letters of the Qur'an are guarded carefully but its hudud are neglected, when many ask but few give, when they make the khutba long but the prayer short, and put their desires before their actions."
92 Yahya related to me from Malik that Yahya ibn Sa'id said, "I have heard that the first of the actions of a slave to be considered on the day of rising is the prayer. If it is accepted from him the rest of his actions will be considered, and if it is not accepted from him none of his actions will be considered."
[In Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah]
93 Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn 'Urwa from his father that 'A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The actions which the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, loved most were those which were done most constantly."
94 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard from 'Amir ibn Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas that his father said, "There were two brothers, one of whom died forty nights before the other. The merit of the first was being mentioned in the presence of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and he said, 'Was the other one not a Muslim?' They said, 'Of course, Messenger of Allah, and there was no harm in him.' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'What will make you realise what his prayer has brought him? The prayer is like a deep river of sweet water running by your door into which you plunge five times a day. How much of your dirtiness do you think that will leave? You do not realise what his prayer has brought him.'"
[cf Bukhari 505]
95 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that if anyone passed by 'Ata' ibn Yasar in the mosque with something to trade, he would call him and ask, "What is the matter with you? What do you want?" If the man said that he wished to trade with him, he would say, "You need the market of this world. This is the market of the next world."
96 Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab set aside an area near the mosque called al-Butayha and said, "Whoever wishes to talk nonsense or recite poetry or raise his voice should go to this area."
9.25 Stimulation of the Desire for Prayer in General
97 Yahya related to me from Malik from his paternal uncle Abu Suhayl ibn Malik that his father heard Talha ibn 'Ubaydullah say, "Once one of the people of Najd came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He had dishevelled hair and although his voice could be heard we could not make out what he was saying until he drew nearer and then we found he was asking about Islam. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to him, 'There are five prayers during the day and the night.' He said, 'Do I have to do anything else besides that?' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, added, 'And fasting the month of Ramadan.' He said, 'Is there anything else I have to do?' He said, 'No, except what you do of your own accord.' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, mentioned zakat. The man said, 'Is there anything else that I have to do?' He said, 'No, except what you do of your own accord.'
He continued, "The man went away saying, 'By Allah, I won't do any more than this, nor will I do any less.' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'That man will be successful if he is telling the truth.'"
[cf Bukhari 46]
98 Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'z-Zinad from al-A'raj from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Shaytan ties three knots at the back of your head when you sleep, and he seals the place of each knot with 'You have a long night ahead, so sleep.' If you wake up and remember Allah, a knot is untied. If you do wudu', a knot is untied. If you pray, a knot is untied, and morning finds you lively and in good spirits, and if not, morning finds you in bad spirits and lazy."
[cf Bukhari 1091]
