Hadith on Proper Performance of Salah
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered the mosque, and a man came in, performed Salah, and then greeted the Prophet (ﷺ). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) returned his greeting and said:
"Go back and perform Salah again, for you have not prayed."
The man went back and performed Salah in the same manner as before, then came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and greeted him. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"And peace be upon you. Go back and perform Salah again, for you have not prayed."
This happened three times, after which the man said:
"By the One Who has sent you with the truth! I cannot perform it better than this, so teach me."
The Prophet (ﷺ) then instructed:
"When you stand for prayer, say ‘Allahu Akbar’, then recite from the Qur’an what is easy for you. Then, bow (in Ruku’) until you are at ease in bowing, then stand up straight until you are fully upright. Then, prostrate (in Sujud) until you are at ease in prostration, then sit until you feel at ease while sitting. Do this throughout your entire prayer."
Verification and References:
- Sahih Bukhari: 793, 6251, 6252
- Sahih Muslim: 397
Additional Narration:
In another version of this Hadith, it is mentioned:"When you intend to pray, perform Wudu thoroughly, then face the Qiblah and say 'Allahu Akbar'."
(This version is from Sahih Muslim and is classified as Muttafaq Alayh – agreed upon by both Bukhari and Muslim.)
Key Lessons Derived from This Hadith:
❶ Maintaining Tranquility in Salah is Essential:- Standing (Qiyam) must be performed with composure.
- Bowing (Ruku’) must be done properly with full relaxation.
- After Ruku’, one must stand still before going into Sujud.
- Prostration (Sujud) must be performed in a calm manner.
- Sitting between the two Sujuds should be done with ease.
- Performing all actions of Salah with tranquility ensures a perfect prayer.
- Incomplete Wudu, not facing the Qiblah correctly, and improper performance of Ruku’, Sujud, and other essential acts of Salah indicate a deficient prayer.
- Every act requires attention and precision, and worship, especially Salah, demands utmost focus, devotion, and correctness.
- It is recommended to greet others when entering the mosque.
- Those sitting should reply to the greeting.
- Those engaged in Salah can respond with a slight gesture using their hands.
- If someone has a valid excuse and misses congregational prayer, they may pray afterward.
- An Imam or leader must carefully observe the prayers of their followers and correct any errors.
- A knowledgeable and wise Imam should train and educate people according to the situation.
- If someone repeatedly performs an act incorrectly, they should be corrected multiple times until they themselves ask for guidance.
- This method helps a person recognize their mistake and ensures that they do not repeat it in the future.
Another Hadith on the Proper Way of Performing Salah
Narrated by Muhammad bin Amr bin Ata (رضي الله عنه):He was sitting with a group of the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ), and they discussed the way the Prophet (ﷺ) performed Salah. Abu Humayd As-Sa'idi (رضي الله عنه) said:
"I remember the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) more than any of you. When he said 'Allahu Akbar,' he raised his hands to the level of his shoulders. When he performed Ruku’, he placed his hands on his knees and bent his back. When he raised his head from Ruku’, he stood straight until every bone returned to its place. When he performed Sujud, he placed his hands in a way that they were neither too spread out nor too close together. His toes were directed towards the Qiblah. When he sat after two Rak’ahs, he sat on his left foot while keeping his right foot upright. In the final sitting, he extended his left foot forward, kept the right foot upright, and sat on his seat."
Verification and References:
- Sahih Bukhari: 828
Conclusion:
Performing Salah properly according to the Sunnah is essential for its acceptance. Any negligence in the correct execution of Ruku’, Sujud, Qiyam, or other pillars of Salah leads to a deficient prayer, which might not be accepted by Allah. It is, therefore, crucial to learn and practice the correct method of Salah as demonstrated by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).[This content is taken from the book Diyaa Al-Islam fi Sharh Al-Imam bi Ahadith Al-Ahkam by Sheikh Taqi Al-Din Abi Al-Fath, translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar.]