its chain of narration is Layth [ibn Abi Sulaym] (52), who is weak, and it is a mursal report, because Abu al-Khalil narrates it from Abu Qatadah, and he did not hear [directly] from him. Regarding their statement that people are waiting for the Friday prayer: we say that if one knows the prohibited time, he must not pray, but if he is in doubt, he may pray until he knows [for certain], because the original state is permissibility, and it is not removed by doubt. And Allah knows best.

238 - Issue: He said: (And voluntary prayer is two by two)

He means he performs the taslim (salutation) after every two rak'ahs. Voluntary prayer is of two types: night voluntary prayer and day voluntary prayer. As for the night voluntary prayer, it is not permissible except two by two. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars, and it is the view of Abu Yusuf and Muhammad. Abu Hanifah said: If you wish, you may pray two [rak'ahs], if you wish four, if you wish six, and if you wish eight. Our argument is the saying of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): "The prayer of the night is two by two." This is agreed upon (1). And from 'Aishah, who said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "The key to prayer is purification, and between every two rak'ahs is a salutation." Recorded by al-Athram (2).

239 - Issue: He said: (And if one performs four [rak'ahs] as a voluntary prayer during the day, there is no harm)

The best [practice] in day voluntary prayer is that it should be two by two. Based on what 'Ali ibn 'Abd Allah al-Bariqi narrated from Ibn 'Umar from the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that he said: "The prayer of the night and day (1) is two by two." Recorded by Abu Dawud (2) and al-Athram. And because it is further from (3) error and more similar to the prayer of