Chapter: On the Description of the Prayer

Muhammad ibn ‘Amr ibn ‘Ata’ narrated that he heard Abu Humayd al-Sa‘idi while among ten of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), including Abu Qatada, and Abu Humayd said: “I am the most knowledgeable among you regarding the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).” They said: “Present it (30).” He said: “When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stood for prayer, he would raise his hands until they were parallel with his shoulders, then he would pronounce the takbir until every bone was settled in its place, upright. Then he would recite, then he would pronounce the takbir and raise his hands until they were parallel with his shoulders. Then he would bow and place his palms on his knees, then he would level his back, neither lowering his head nor raising it (32). Then he would raise his head and say: ‘Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah’ (Allah hears those who praise Him). Then he would raise his hands until they were parallel with his shoulders, upright, and say: ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is the Greatest). Then he would fall to the ground, keeping his hands away from his sides, then he would raise his head, fold his left foot and sit upon it, and spread the toes of his feet when he prostrated. He would prostrate, then say: ‘Allahu Akbar’, raise his head, and fold his left foot, sitting upon it until every bone returned to its place. Then he would do the same in the other rak‘ah. Then, when he stood up from the rak‘ah, he would pronounce the takbir and raise his hands until they were parallel with his shoulders, just as he pronounced the takbir at the beginning of the prayer. Then he would do that throughout the rest of his prayer, until the prostration containing the taslim, at which point he would move his left foot back and sit mutawarrikan (resting his posterior on the ground) on his left side.” They said: “You have spoken truly; this is how he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to pray.” Narrated by Malik in al-Muwatta’ (33), Abu Dawud, and al-Tirmidhi (34).