Bayhaqi 2827 — Evidence that nothing is said before the words

Hittan bin Abdullah al-Raqashi narrated that Sayyiduna Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) led the people in prayer. When he sat (at the end of the prayer), a man said: The prayer has been established along with righteousness and purity. When Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) finished the prayer with the salam, he asked: Which of you said these words? All the people remained silent. He asked again: Who said these words? Still no one answered. Then he himself said: O Hittan, perhaps you said these words? I said: By Allah, I did not say this word, but I was afraid that you might punish me because of it. Then a man stood up and said: I said these words, and my intention was good. So Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Do you not know how you should pray? Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) addressed us, taught us the Sunnah clearly and taught us the prayer, and said: "When you pray, straighten the rows. When the imam says the takbir, you say the takbir, and when he recites 'Not of those who have earned (Your) anger, nor of those who go astray' [Surah al-Fatihah: 7], say Amin; Allah Almighty will answer your supplication. When the imam says the takbir and bows, you too say the takbir and bow. The imam says the takbir before you and rises before you. So this is in exchange for that (that is, the time by which he bows before you is the time by which he rises from the bowing before you). When the imam says 'Sami'allahu liman hamidah' (Allah hears the one who praises Him), you say 'Rabbana lakal-hamd' (Our Lord, to You belongs all praise). And when he sits, the first thing he should say is: 'At-tahiyyatut-tayyibatuz-zakiyatu lillah, as-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, as-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-salihin, ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh' (All verbal, financial and the finest acts of worship are for Allah alone. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the servant and Messenger of Allah)."