Book Twenty Two–Actions while Praying

Hadith Number 289.

Narrated by Kuraib Maula Ibn Abbas : 'Abdullah bin Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma)
said that he had passed a night in the house of Maimuna (Radhi Allahu Anha) the mother of the faithful believers , who was his aunt. He said, "I slept across the bed, and Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) along with his wife slept lengthwise. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) slept till mid-night or slightly before or after it. Then Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) woke up, sat, and removed the traces of sleep by rubbing his hands over his face. Then he recited the last ten verses of Surat-Al Imran (2). Then he went towards a hanging leather water-container and performed a perfect ablution and then stood up for prayer." 'Abdullah bin Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) added, "I got up and did the same as Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) had done and then went and stood by his side. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) then put his right hand over my head and caught my right ear and twisted it. He offered two Rak’ah, then two Rak’ah, then two Rak’ah, then two Rak’ah, then two Rak’ah, then two Rak’ah and then offered one Rak’ah Witr. Then he lay down till the Muadhdhin came and then he prayed two light Rak’ah and went out and offered the early morning (Fajr) prayer."


Hadith Number 290.

Narrated by 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): We used to greet the Prophet while he was praying and he used to answer our greetings. When we returned from An-Najashi (the ruler of Ethiopia), we greeted him, but he did not answer us (during the prayer) and (after finishing the prayer) he said, "In the prayer one is occupied (with a more serious matter)."


Hadith Number 291.

Narrated by 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu: The same as No. 290. from the Prophet (Radhi Allahu Anhu).


Hadith Number 292.

Narrated by Zaid bin Arqam : In the life-time of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) we used to speak while praying, and one of us would tell his needs to his companions, till the verse, 'Guard strictly your prayers (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:238) was revealed. After that we were ordered to remain silent while praying.


Hadith Number 293.

Narrated by Sahl bin Sad (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet went out to affect a reconciliation between the tribes of Bani 'Amr bin 'Auf and the time of the prayer became due; Bilal (Radhi Allahu Anhu) went to Abu Bakr and said, "The Prophet is detained. Will you lead the people in the prayer?" Abu Bakr replied, "Yes, if you wish." So Bilal (Radhi Allahu Anhu) pronounced the Iqamah and Abu Bakr led the prayer. In the meantime the Prophet came crossing the rows (of the praying people) till he stood in the first row and the people started clapping. Abu Bakr never looked hither and thither during the prayer but when the people clapped too much, he looked back and saw the Prophet in the (first) row. The Prophet waved him to remain at his place, but Abu Bakr raised both his hands and sent praises to Allah and then retreated and the Prophet went forward and led the prayer. (See Hadith No. 295 & 296)


Hadith Number 294.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin Masud (Radhi Allahu Anhu): We used to say the greeting, name and greet each other in the prayer. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) heard it and said: "Say, 'At-tahiyyatu lil-lahi was-salawatu wat-taiyibatu. Assalamu 'Alaika aiyuha-n-Nabiyu wa-rahmatu-l-lahi wa-baRak’ahuhu. Assalamu alaina wa-'ala 'ibadi-l-lahi as-salihin... Ashhadu an la ilaha illa-l-lah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abdu hu wa Rasuluh. (All the compliments are for Allah and all the prayers and all the good things (are for Allah). Peace be on you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings (are on you). And peace be on us and on the good (pious) worshipers of Allah. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam).) So, when you have said this, then you have surely sent the greetings to every good (pious) worship per of Allah, whether he be in the Heaven or on the Earth."


Hadith Number 295.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "The saying 'Subhan Allah' is for men and clapping is for women." (If something happens in the prayer, the men can invite the attention of the Imam by saying "Subhan Allah". And women, by clapping their hands).

Hadith Number 296.

Narrated by Sahl bin Sad (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "The saying 'Subhan Allah' is for men and clapping is for women.


Hadith Number 297A.

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): While Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) was leading the people in the morning prayer on a Monday, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) came towards them suddenly having lifted the curtain of 'Aisha's (Radhi Allahu Anha) house, and looked at them as they were standing in rows and smiled. Abu Bakr tried to come back thinking that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) wanted to come out for the prayer. The attention of the Muslims was diverted from the prayer because they were delighted to see the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) waved his hand to them to complete their prayer, then he went back into the room and let down the curtain. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) expired on that very day.


Hadith Number 297B
.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah: Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "A woman called her son while he was in his hermitage and said, 'O Juraij' He said, 'O Allah, my mother (is calling me) and (I am offering) my prayer (what shall I do)?' She again said, 'O Juraij!' He said again, 'O Allah ! My mother (is calling me) and (I am offering) my prayer (what shall I do)?' She again said, 'O Juraij' He again said, 'O Allah! My mother (is calling me) and (I am offering) my prayer. (What shall I do?)' She said, 'O Allah! Do not let Juraij die till he sees the faces of prostitutes.' A shepherdess used to come by his hermitage for grazing her sheep and she gave birth to a child. She was asked whose child that was, and she replied that it was from Juraij and that he had come out from his hermitage. Juraij said, 'Where is that woman who claims that her child is from me?' (When she was brought to him along with the child), Juraij asked the child, 'O Babus, who is your father?' The child replied, 'The shepherd.' " (See Hadith No 662. Vol 3 Book 44).


Hadith Number 298.

Narrated by Mu'aiqib (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) talked about a man leveling the earth on prostrating, and said, "If you have to do so, then do it once."


Hadith Number 299.

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): We used to pray with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) in scorching heat, and if someone of us could not put his face on the earth (because of the heat) then he would spread his clothes and prostrate over them.


Hadith Number 300.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) : I used to stretch my legs towards the Qiblah of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) while he was praying; whenever he prostrated he touched me, and I would withdraw my legs, and whenever he stood up, I would re-stretch my legs.


Hadith Number 301.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) once offered the prayer and said, "Satan came in front of me and tried to interrupt my prayer, but Allah gave me an upper hand on him and I choked him. No doubt, I thought of tying him to one of the pillars of the mosque till you get up in the morning and see him. Then I remembered the statement of Prophet Solomon, 'My Lord ! Bestow on me a kingdom such as shall not belong to any other after me.' Then Allah made him (Satan) return with his head down (humiliated)."


Hadith Number 302.

Narrated by Al-Azraq bin Qais: We were at Al-Ahwaz fighting the Al-Haruriya (tribe). While I was at the bank of a river a man was praying and the reins of his animal were in his hands and the animal was struggling and he was following the animal. (Shu'ba, a sub-narrator, said that man was Abu Barza al-Aslam). A man from the Khawarij said, "O Allah! Be harsh to this sheik." And when the sheik (Abu Barza) finished his prayer, he said, "I heard your remark. No doubt, I participated with Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) in six or seven or eight holy battles and saw his leniency, and no doubt, I would rather retain my animal than let it return to its stable, as it would cause me much trouble."


Hadith Number 303.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Once the sun eclipsed and Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) stood up for the prayer and recited a very long Surah and when bowed for a long while and then raised his head and started reciting another Surah. Then he bowed, and after finishing, he prostrated and did the same in the second Rak’ah and then said, "These (lunar and solar eclipses) are two of the signs of Allah and if you see them, pray till the eclipse is over. No doubt, while standing at this place I saw everything promised to me by Allah and I saw (Paradise) and I wanted to pluck a bunch (of grapes) therefrom, at the time when you saw me stepping forward. No doubt, I saw Hell with its different parts destroying each other when you saw me retreating and in it I saw 'Amr bin Luhai who started the tradition of freeing animals (set them free) in the name of idols."

Hadith Number 304.

Narrated by Ibn'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) saw some sputum on the wall facing the Qiblah of the Masjid and became furious with the people of the Masjid and said, "During the prayer, Allah is in front of everyone of you and so he should not spit (or said, 'He should not expectorate')." Then he got down and scratched the sputum with his hand. Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma)said (after narrating), "If anyone of you has to spit during the prayer, he should spit to his left."


Hadith Number 305.

Narrated by Anas (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Whenever anyone of you is in prayer, he is speaking in private to his Lord and so he should neither spit in front of him nor on his right side but to his left side under his left foot."


Hadith Number 306.

Narrated by Sahl bin Sad : The people used to offer the prayer with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) with their waist-sheets tied round their necks because of the shortness of the sheets and the women were ordered not to lift their heads till the men had sat straight.


Hadith Number 307.

Narrated by 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I used to greet the Prophet while he was in prayer and he would return my greeting, but when we returned (from Ethiopia) I greeted the Prophet (while he was praying) but he did not return the greeting, and (after finishing the prayer) he said, "In the prayer one is occupied (with a more serious matter)."


Hadith Number 308.

Narrated by Jabir bin 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) sent me for some job and when I had finished it I returned and came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and greeted him but he did not return my greeting. So I felt so sorry that only Allah knows it and I said to myself,, 'Perhaps Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) is angry because I did not come quickly, then again I greeted him but he did not reply. I felt even more sorry than I did the first time. Again I greeted him and he returned the greeting and said, "The thing which prevented me from returning the greeting was that I was praying." And at that time he was on his Rahila and his face was not towards the Qiblah.


Hadith Number 309.

Narrated by Sahl bin Sad (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The news about the differences amongst the people of Bani 'Amr bin 'Auf at Quba reached Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and so he went to them along with some of his companions to affect a reconciliation. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was delayed there and the time for the prayer became due. Bilal (Radhi Allahu Anhu) came to Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) and said, "O Abu Bakr! Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) is detained (there) and the time for the prayer is due. Will you lead the people in prayer?" Abu Bakr replied, "Yes, if you wish." So Bilal pronounced the Iqamah and Abu Bakr went forward and the people said Takbir. In the meantime, Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) came piercing through the rows till he stood in the (first) row and the people started clapping. Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu), would never look hither and thither during the prayer but when the people clapped much he looked back and saw Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). The Prophet beckoned him to carry on. Abu Bakr raised both his hands, praised Allah and retreated till he stood in the row and Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) went forward and led the people in the prayer. When he had finished the prayer, he addressed the people and said, "O people! Why did you start clapping when something happened to you in the prayer? Clapping is for women. Whenever one is confronted with something unusual in the prayer one should say, 'Subhan Allah'." Then the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) looked towards Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) and asked, "What prevented you from leading the prayer when I beckoned you to carry on?" Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) replied, "It does not befit the son of Al Quhafa to lead the prayer in the presence of Allah's Messenger."


Hadith Number 310.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): It was forbidden to keep the hands on the hips during the prayer. (This is narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) from the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam))

Hadith Number 311.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): It was forbidden to pray with the hands over one's hips.


Hadith Number 312.

Narrated by 'Uqba bin Al-Harith (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I offered the 'Asr prayer with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and after finishing the prayer with Taslim he got up quickly and went to some of his wives and then came out. He noticed the signs of astonishment on the faces of the people caused by his speed. He then said, "I remembered while I was in my prayer that a piece of gold was lying in my house and I disliked that it should remain with us throughout the night, and so I have ordered it to be distributed."


Hadith Number 313.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "When the Adhan for the prayer is pronounced, then Satan takes to his heels passing wind so that he may not hear the Adhan and when the Muadhdhin finishes, he comes back; and when the Iqamah is pronounced he again takes to his heels and when it is finished, he again comes back and continues reminding the praying person of things that he used not to remember when not in prayer till he forgets how much he has prayed." Abu Salama bin 'Abdur-Rahman said, "If anyone of you has such a thing (forgetting the number of Rak’ah he has prayed) he should perform two prostrations of Sahu (i.e. forgetfulness) while sitting." Abu Salama narrates this from Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu).


Hadith Number 314.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): People say that I narrate too many narrations of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam); once I met a man (during the life-time of the Prophet) and asked him, "Which Surah did Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) s recite yesterday in the 'Isha' prayer?" He said, "I do not know." I said, "Did you not attend the prayer?" He said, "Yes, (I did)." I said, "I know. He recited such and such Surah."


Hadith Number 315.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin Buhaina (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) once led us in a prayer and offered two Rak’ah and got up (for the third Rak’ah) without sitting (after the second Rak’ah). The people also got up with him, and when he was about to finish his prayer, we waited for him to finish the prayer with Taslim but he said Takbir before Taslim and performed two prostrations while sitting and then finished the prayer with Taslim.


Hadith Number 316.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin Buhaina (Radhi Allahu Anhu) : Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) got up after the second Rak’ah of the Dhuhr prayer without sitting in between (the second and the third Rak’ah). When he finished the prayer he performed two prostrations (of Sahu) and then finished the prayer with Taslilm.


Hadith Number 317.

Narrated by 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Once Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) offered five Rak’ah in the Dhuhr prayer, and somebody asked him whether there was some increase in the prayer. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "What is that?" He said, "You have offered five Rak’ah." So Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) performed two prostrations of Sahu after Taslim.


Hadith Number 318.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) led us in the 'Asr or the Dhuhr prayer and finished it with Taslim. Dhul-Yadain (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said to him (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), "O Allah's Messenger! Has the prayer been reduced?" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) asked his companions for affirmative. So Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) offered two more Rak’ah and then performed two prostrations (of Sahu). Sad said, "I saw that 'Ursa bin Az-Zubair (Radhi Allahu Anhu) had offered two Rak’ah in the Maghrib prayer and finished it with Taslim. He then talked (and when he was informed about it) he completed the rest of his prayer and performed two prostrations, and said, 'The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) prayed like this.'"

Hadith Number 319.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Once Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) offered two Rak’ah and finished his prayer. So Dhul-Yadain asked him, "Has the prayer been reduced or have you forgotten?" Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Has Dhul-Yadain spoken the truth?" The people replied in the affirmative. Then Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) stood up and offered the remaining two Rak’ah and performed Taslim, and then said Takbir and performed two prostrations like his usual prostrations, or a bit longer, and then got up.


Hadith Number 320.

Narrated by Salama bin 'Alqama: I asked Muhammad (bin Sirin) whether Tashahhud should be recited after the two prostrations of Sahu. He replied, "It is not (mentioned) in Abu Hurairah's (Radhi Allahu Anhu) narration."


Hadith Number 321.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) offered one of the evening prayers (the sub-narrator Muhammad said, "I think that it was most probably the 'Asr prayer") and he finished it after offering two Rak’ah only. He then stood near a pile of wood in front of the Masjid and put his hand over it. Abu Bakr and 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) were amongst those who were present, but they dared not talk to him about that (because of excessive respect for him), and those who were in a hurry went out. They said, "Has the prayer been reduced?" A man who was called Dhul-Yadain by the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said (to the Prophet), "Has the prayer been reduced or have you forgotten?" He (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Neither have I forgotten, nor has the prayer been reduced." He (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Certainly you have forgotten." So the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) offered two more Rak’ah and performed Taslim and then said Takbir and performed a prostration of Sahu like his ordinary prostration or a bit longer and then raised his head and said Takbir and then put his head down and performed a prostration like his ordinary prostration or a bit longer, and then raised his head and said Takbir.


Hadith Number 322.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin Buhaina Al-Asdi : (The ally of Bani 'Abdul Muttalib) Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) stood up for the Dhuhr prayer and he should have sat (after the second Rak’ah but he stood up for the third Rak’ah without sitting for Tashah-hud) and when he finished the prayer he performed two prostrations and said Takbir on each prostration while sitting, before ending (the prayer) with Taslim; and the people too performed the two prostrations with him instead of the sitting he forgot.


Hadith Number 323.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah: Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "When the call for prayer is made, Satan takes to his heels passing wind so that he may not hear the Adhan and when the call is finished he comes back, and when the Iqamah is pronounced, Satan again takes to his heels, and when the Iqamah is finished he comes back again and tries to interfere with the person and his thoughts and say, "Remember this and that (which he has not thought of before the prayer)", till the praying person forgets how much he has prayed. If anyone of you does not remember whether he has offered three or four Rak’ah then he should perform two prostrations of Sahu while sitting.


Hadith Number 324.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah: Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "When anyone of you stands for the prayers, Satan comes and puts him in doubts till he forgets how many Rak’ah he has prayed. So if this happens to anyone of you, he should perform two prostrations of Sahu while sitting.


Hadith Number 325.

Narrated by Kuraib: I was sent to 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) by Ibn Abbas, Al-Miswar bin Makhrama and 'Abdur-Rahman bin Azhar (Radhi Allahu Anhum). They told me to greet her on their behalf and to ask her about the offering of the two Rak’ah after the 'Asr prayer and to say to her, "We were informed that you offer those two Rak’ah and we were told that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) had forbidden offering them." Ibn Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) said, "I along with 'Umar bin Al-Khattab (Radhi Allahu Anhu) used to beat the people whenever they offered them." I went to 'Aisha and told her that message. 'Aisha (Radhi Allahu Anha) said, "Go and ask Um Salama about them." So I returned and informed them about her statement. They then told me to go to Um Salama (Radhi Allahu Anha) with the same question with which they sent me to 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha). Um Salama (Radhi Allahu Anha) replied, "I heard the Prophet forbidding them. Later I saw him offering them immediately after he prayed the 'Asr prayer. He then entered my house at a time when some of the Ansari women from the tribe of Bani Haram were sitting with me, so I sent my slave girl to him having said to her, 'Stand beside him and tell him that Um Salama says to you, "O Allah's Messenger! I have heard you forbidding the offering of these (two Rak’ah after the 'Asr prayer) but I have seen you offering them." If he waves his hand then wait for him.' The slave girl did that. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) beckoned her with his hand and she waited for him. When he had finished the prayer he said, "O daughter of Bani Umaiya! You have asked me about the two Rak’ah after the 'Asr prayer. The people of the tribe of 'Abdul-Qais came to me and made me busy and I could not offer the two Rak’ah after the Dhuhr prayer. These (two Rak’ah that I have just prayed) are for those (missed) ones.

Hadith Number 326.

Narrated by Sahl bin Sad As-Sa'idi : The news about the differences amongst the people of Bani'Amr bin 'Auf reached Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and so he went to them along with some of his companions to affect a reconciliation between them. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was delayed there, and the time of the prayer was due. Bilal (Radhi Allahu Anhu) went to Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) and said to him, "Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) has been delayed (there) and the time of prayer is due. So will you lead the people in prayer?" Abu Bakr (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Yes, if you wish." Bilal pronounced the Iqamah and Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu), went forward and said Takbir for the people. In the mean-time Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) came crossing the rows (of the praying people) and stood in the (first) row and the people started clapping. Abu Bakr (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), would never glance side-ways in his prayer but when the people clapped much he looked back and (saw) Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) beckoned him to carry on the prayer. Abu Bakr (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) raised his hands and thanked Allah, and retreated till he reached the (first) row. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) went forward and led the people in the prayer. When he completed the prayer he faced the people and said, "O people! Why did you start clapping when something unusual happened to you in the prayer? Clapping is only for women. So whoever amongst you comes across something in the prayer should say, 'Subhan Allah' for there is none who will not turn round on hearing him saying Subhan Allah. O Abu Bakr! What prevented you from leading the people in the prayer when I beckoned you to do so?" Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) replied, "How dare the son of Abu Quhafa lead the prayer in the presence of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)?"


Hadith Number 327.

Narrated by Asma' (Radhi Allahu Anha) : I went to 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) and she was standing praying and the people, too, were standing (praying). So I said, "What is the matter with the people?" She beckoned with her head towards the sky.

I said, "(Is there) a sign?" She nodded intending to say, "Yes."


Hadith Number 328.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) the wife of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) during his illness prayed in his house sitting, whereas some people followed him standing, but the Prophet beckoned them to sit down. On completion of the prayer he said, "The Imam is to be followed. So, bow when he bows, and raise your head when he raises his head." (See Hadith No. 657 Vol 1 Book 11 for taking the verdict).