Ibn Hibban

Muhammad bin Amr narrates: I heard Sayyiduna Abu Humayd Sa’idi (may Allah be pleased with him) in the presence of ten companions (may Allah be pleased with them), among whom was Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) as well. Sayyiduna Abu Humayd (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I have the most knowledge among you regarding the prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). They said to him: Why is that? By Allah! You are neither a greater follower of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) than us nor an older companion than us. Sayyiduna Abu Humayd (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Yes, indeed. They said: Then present it. So Sayyiduna Abu Humayd described: When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would stand for prayer, he would say the takbir and raise both hands up to the shoulders. He would keep every bone in its specific place in a state of moderation, then he would recite. Then he would say the takbir, then while raising both hands up to the shoulders, he would go into ruku’. He would place both palms on both knees, then he would remain in a state of moderation. He would neither lower his head nor raise it, then he would raise his head and recite «سمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَہ». He would raise both hands up to the shoulders in a state of moderation, then say Allahu Akbar, then he would bend towards the ground and keep both arms away from the sides, then he would raise his head, spread his left leg and sit on it. When he went into prostration, he would keep the toes of his feet spread, then he would go into prostration again, then he would raise his head and say Allahu Akbar. He would spread his left leg and sit on it until every bone returned to its specific place in a state of moderation, then he would perform the second rak’ah in the same way. When he stood up after performing two rak’ahs, he would say the takbir and raise both hands up to the shoulders as he did at the beginning of the prayer, then he would perform the rest of the prayer in the same manner, until when he came to the sitting after that prostration in which the salam is given, he would move his left leg back and sit in the tawarruk position on his left side. These companions (i.e., the other companions, may Allah be pleased with them) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform the prayer in this manner.