Lu'lu' wal-Marjan

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) led us in the Zuhr prayer of two rak‘ahs and then said salam. After that, he stood in the front part of the mosque, that is, the portico, leaning on a piece of wood and placed his hand on it. Among those present were Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and Sayyiduna ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), but they were afraid to speak, and the hasty people left the mosque. The companions said among themselves that perhaps there had been a deficiency in the prayer (that is why the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, led only two rak‘ahs of Zuhr instead of four). Among those present was a companion whom you used to address as Dhu’l-Yadayn (the one with long hands). He said, “O Messenger of Allah, has the number of rak‘ahs of the prayer been reduced, or have you forgotten?” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “I have neither forgotten nor has the number of rak‘ahs been reduced.” The companions said, “No, O Messenger of Allah, you have forgotten.” So he remembered and said, “Dhu’l-Yadayn has spoken the truth.” Then he stood up and performed two more rak‘ahs, then said salam, and then said takbir and went into prostration (of forgetfulness), making a prostration like that of the prayer, or even longer. Then he raised his head and said takbir, then went into prostration again, like the first prostration or even longer, then raised his head and said takbir.