This hadith was narrated by Abdur Rahman bin Mahdi (may Allah have mercy on him) from Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him), and he said: He (peace and blessings be upon him) left two pillars to his right and one to his left, and three pillars were behind him (peace and blessings be upon him); then he (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed, and between him (peace and blessings be upon him) and the qiblah wall there was a distance of three cubits.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الصلاة / 3782