Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Adi bin Thabit narrates that when the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered a sermon, his companions would sit facing their faces towards him.

Hazrat Sha'bi narrates that Hazrat Shurayh used to face the Imam during the Friday sermon and did not engage in unrelated conversations.

Hazrat Sa’sa’ah used to sit facing the Imam during the sermon on Friday.

Hazrat Sha'bi says that the Sunnah is to sit facing the Imam during the Friday sermon.

Hazrat Humaid says that Hazrat Nazr bin Anas used to sit facing the Imam during the Friday sermon.

Hazrat Mansur says that I saw Ibrahim enter through the doors of Kindah on Friday and sit down. And he turned his face towards the pulpit.

Hazrat Saib Raqashi says that I saw Hazrat Ata, Hazrat Tawus, and Hazrat Mujahid; all of them used to sit facing the Imam during the sermon on Friday.

Hazrat Mustamir bin Riyan narrates that I saw Hazrat Anas sitting on Friday near the first gate, facing towards the pulpit.

Hazrat Jabir narrates that Hazrat Salim and Hazrat Qasim used to sit facing the Imam during the Friday sermon.

Hazrat Hakeem bin Dailam narrates that Hazrat Zazan used to sit facing the Imam during the Friday sermon.

Hazrat Abdul Hameed bin Jafar Ansari narrates that on Fridays, the companions would come and sit around the pulpit, and they would turn their faces towards the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz says that the preacher (imam) is the qiblah. That is, one should face towards him.