Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, came one night while his companions were waiting to perform the Isha prayer. He said, "The people have performed the prayer and gone to sleep, and you are waiting for the prayer. From the time you have been waiting to perform the prayer, you are considered to be in prayer. If it were not for the weakness of the weak and the old age of the elderly, I would have delayed this prayer until midnight."

Hazrat Suwaid bin Ghaflah narrates that whoever enters the mosque in a state of ablution remains in the state of i'tikaf until he leaves the mosque or his ablution is nullified.

Ibrahim says that it was said that as long as a person remains seated in his place after performing prayer, he remains in the state of prayer, and the angels continue to send blessings upon him until he loses his ablution. And as long as he remains seated in the mosque, he remains in the state of prayer until he loses his ablution and as long as he does not cause harm to anyone.

Hazrat Ikrimah says that when a person, after offering one prayer, waits for the next prayer, the angels continue to pray for him until he performs that prayer, saying: O Allah! Have mercy on Your such-and-such servant.

Hazrat Suwaid bin Ghaflah narrates that as long as a person sits in the mosque waiting for prayer, he remains in the state of i'tikaf.

It is narrated from Hazrat Sahl bin Sa’d that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Whoever waits for the prayer remains in the state of prayer as long as he does not lose his ablution.

Hazrat Jabir narrates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) sent out an army. When half the night had passed, he came to us and said that the people have offered the prayer and gone to sleep, while you are still waiting for the prayer. Since you have been waiting for the prayer, you are considered to be in the state of prayer.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: When any one of you enters the mosque, he remains in the state of prayer as long as the prayer keeps him there. The angels continue to send mercy upon you as long as you remain seated in the place where you prayed. The angels say: O Allah! Forgive him, have mercy on him, and pardon him. They continue to make this supplication as long as he does not harm anyone and as long as he does not lose his ablution.

A companion narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: If any one of you, after performing the prayer, remains seated at his place and continues to remember Allah, he remains in the state of prayer, and the angels keep supplicating for mercy upon him. The angels say: O Allah! Have mercy on him and forgive him. When he sits at the place of prayer waiting for the next prayer, he continues to receive the same supplication.

Hazrat Abu Uthman says that one night the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) did not come to lead his companions in the Isha prayer until a third of the night remained. Then he came and saw that some people were standing, some were sitting, and some were lying down. He said to them: Since you have been waiting for the prayer, you are in the state of prayer. Among you, those who are standing, sitting, and lying down.

Hazrat Abu Huraira says that as long as prayer keeps you engaged, you are in the state of prayer.

Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) once delayed the Isha prayer until midnight. Some people performed the prayer and started going to their homes. When the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived, a few people were still present in the mosque; he led them in prayer, and when he finished with salam, he turned his blessed face towards them and said, "People have performed the prayer and gone to sleep, but you have been in the state of prayer as long as you were waiting for it." Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) says, "This scene is still before my eyes as if I can still see the shine of his blessed ring."