Book 4: Prayer

‘A'isha said, “God’s Messenger has done all that; he both shortened the prayer and observed it completely.” [Baghawi] transmitted it in Sharh as-sunna.

‘Imran b. Husain said: I went on an expedition with the Prophet, and I was present with him at the Conquest. He stayed eighteen days in Mecca and prayed only two rak'as [at each time of prayer]. He said, “You who live in the town must pray four; we are travellers.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar said, “When travelling I prayed along with the Prophet (ﷺ) two rak'as at the noon prayer and two after it.” In a version he said, “I prayed with the Prophet (ﷺ) both when resident and when travelling. When resident I prayed along with him four rak'as at the noon prayer and two after it, and when travelling two at it and two after it; two rak'as at the afternoon prayer after which he prayed no more; and both when resident and travelling alike three rak'as at the sunset prayer, in which he never prayed less whether resident or travelling, this being the witr of the daytime. After it he prayed two rak'as.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Mu'adh b.Jabal said that on the expedition to Tabuk,* if the sun had passed the meridian before the Prophet (ﷺ) moved off he combined the noon and the afternoon prayer, but if he moved off before the sun had passed the meridian he delayed the noon prayer till he halted for the afternoon prayer. He acted similarly regarding the sunset prayer: if the sun set before he moved off he combined the sunset and the evening prayer, but if he moved off before sunset he delayed the sunset prayer till he halted for the evening prayer and then combined them. *In 19 AH. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Anas said that when God’s Messenger was on a journey and wished to say voluntary prayers he made his she-camel face the qibla and said, “God is most great,” then prayed in whatever direction his mount made him face. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Jabir said, “God’s Messenger sent me on some business, and when I came to him he was praying on his riding-beast towards the east and making the prostration lower than the bowing.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.