1183 - Abu Bakr al-Humaydi narrated to us, saying: Sufyan narrated to us, saying: Ibn 'Ajlan and 'Uthman ibn Abi Sulayman narrated to us, that they heard 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr report from 'Amr ibn Sulaym, that he heard Abu Qatadah say: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "If one of you enters the mosque, let him pray two rak'ahs before he sits down."

Chapter: Congregational Prayer in a Mosque Where Prayer Has Already Been Held

• I heard Ahmad say—regarding a man who enters the mosque after the people have prayed—he said: "They may hold a congregation, except in the Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) and the Mosque of Medina."

• And I heard Ishaq say: "If a man misses the congregation with the imam in a congregational mosque (masjid jami') or any other mosque, he may pray with his companions together in a congregation. This is due to the statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him)—when he saw a man praying alone—he said: 'Is there no man who will give charity to this person and pray with him?' A man stood up and prayed with him, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'These two are a congregation.' This was also done after the Prophet (peace be upon him) by Anas ibn Malik and others from among the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and a congregation is better than [praying] alone."

Chapter: A Man Who Performs Ruku' Before Reaching the Row

• It was said to Ahmad: "What if a man performs ruku' before reaching the row?" He said: "He should not do that; he should take his place in it. Yet, if he does [so], I see no harm in it."