Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 2987 — A man who falls short in his prayer

Ali bin Yahya bin Khallad narrates from his father, from his uncle, who had fought at Badr, that he said: Once we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) when a man came and prayed very hastily, not performing the bowing and prostration properly. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was watching him closely, while we did not notice it. When he had prayed, he came and greeted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with salam. He (peace and blessings be upon him) returned his greeting and said: "Pray again, for you have not prayed." He did this three times, and each time the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "Pray again, for you have not prayed." When he came the fourth time, he said: "O Messenger of Allah! Teach me the prayer, for by Allah, I have tried my utmost." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When you stand for prayer, face the qiblah, then say the takbir, then recite, then bow and bow with calmness, then rise from bowing and stand calmly, then prostrate and prostrate with calmness, then sit and sit calmly, and then stand up. If you do this, your prayer is complete, and if you fall short in any of these acts, know that this shortfall is found in your prayer."