Majma al-Zawaid — Hadith 5649

Imam al-Tabarani recorded a similar narration in al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, except that at its beginning the wording is: Two men came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), one of whom was from the Ansar and the other from Thaqif. The Ansari came first. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to the man from Thaqif: "O man from the tribe of Thaqif, the Ansari has gone ahead of you." The Ansari said: "O Messenger of Allah! I give him the chance to go first." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O man from the tribe of Thaqif, ask about your need, and if you wish, I will tell you what you have come to ask about." He said: "If you do so, that will be more pleasing to me" (or: more amazing). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You have come to me to ask about your prayer, your bowing, your prostration and your fasting, saying: 'What reward will I get for it?'" He said: "Yes! By the One who sent you with the truth (it is so)." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Pray in the early part of the day and in the last part, and sleep in the middle of it." He said: "What if I also pray in the middle part?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then you are you" (that is, how excellent that would be). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When you stand for prayer and go into bowing, place both hands on both knees and keep your fingers spread apart; then raise your head until every limb returns to its joint. When you go into prostration, place your forehead firmly on the ground, and do not peck. And fast the bright nights, that is, the 13th, 14th and 15th (of the month)."
The narrators of Imam al-Bazzar have been declared trustworthy. Imam al-Bazzar says: This narration has been transmitted through various routes, but to our knowledge there is no better chain than this one.