Narrated by Imam Abu Dawood رحمه الله:
“Ahmad bin Hanbal narrated to us, Abu ‘Asim al-Dhahhak bin Makhlad narrated to us... and so did Musaddad from Yahya. This is the narration of Ahmad. He said: ‘Abdul Hameed, meaning Ibn Ja'far, narrated to me from Muhammad bin ‘Amr bin ‘Ata who said: I heard Abu Humaid al-Sa’idi in the presence of ten Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, among whom was Abu Qatadah. Abu Humaid said: ‘I know best how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray.’ They said: ‘Why? By Allah! You were neither the closest in following him nor the earliest in companionship.’ He replied: ‘Indeed (I know),’ and they said: ‘Then describe (his prayer).’
✿ The Description of the Prophet’s ﷺ Salah:
① When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood for prayer, he would raise his hands up to his shoulders (i.e., perform Raf‘ al-Yadayn), then he would say the Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) until every bone would return to its place with calmness.
② Then he would recite (Qur’an), then say Takbeer and raise his hands up to his shoulders again, then he would bow (Ruku‘) and place his palms on his knees.
③ He would maintain straightness in Ruku‘—neither lowering his head excessively nor raising it high; rather, his head and back would be aligned.
④ Then he would raise his head saying سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ, and again raise his hands up to his shoulders with calmness.
⑤ Then he would say Allahu Akbar, go down to the ground (for prostration), and keep his arms away from his sides in Sujood.
⑥ He would raise his head, fold his left foot under him, and sit on it. In Sujood, he would keep his toes apart.
⑦ He would then go into Sujood again, say Allahu Akbar, raise his head, and sit again on his left foot until every bone would return to its place.
⑧ In the second Rak‘ah, he would repeat the same procedure.
⑨ When he stood up after two Rak‘aat, he would say Takbeer and raise his hands to the level of his shoulders as he did at the beginning of the prayer.
⑩ He would complete the rest of his Salah in the same manner.
⑪ During the final Sujood, in which Salaam is given, he would perform Tawarruk, placing his left foot behind the right and sit on his left side.
✦ The Companions’ Testimony:They all said: “You have spoken the truth. This is how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray.”
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Salah, Chapter on the Opening of the Prayer, Hadith 730 – Authentic Chain
✔ Key Points to Note:
“Ahmad bin Hanbal narrated to us, Abu ‘Asim al-Dhahhak bin Makhlad narrated to us... and so did Musaddad from Yahya. This is the narration of Ahmad. He said: ‘Abdul Hameed, meaning Ibn Ja'far, narrated to me from Muhammad bin ‘Amr bin ‘Ata who said: I heard Abu Humaid al-Sa’idi in the presence of ten Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, among whom was Abu Qatadah. Abu Humaid said: ‘I know best how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray.’ They said: ‘Why? By Allah! You were neither the closest in following him nor the earliest in companionship.’ He replied: ‘Indeed (I know),’ and they said: ‘Then describe (his prayer).’
✿ The Description of the Prophet’s ﷺ Salah:
① When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood for prayer, he would raise his hands up to his shoulders (i.e., perform Raf‘ al-Yadayn), then he would say the Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) until every bone would return to its place with calmness.
② Then he would recite (Qur’an), then say Takbeer and raise his hands up to his shoulders again, then he would bow (Ruku‘) and place his palms on his knees.
③ He would maintain straightness in Ruku‘—neither lowering his head excessively nor raising it high; rather, his head and back would be aligned.
④ Then he would raise his head saying سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ, and again raise his hands up to his shoulders with calmness.
⑤ Then he would say Allahu Akbar, go down to the ground (for prostration), and keep his arms away from his sides in Sujood.
⑥ He would raise his head, fold his left foot under him, and sit on it. In Sujood, he would keep his toes apart.
⑦ He would then go into Sujood again, say Allahu Akbar, raise his head, and sit again on his left foot until every bone would return to its place.
⑧ In the second Rak‘ah, he would repeat the same procedure.
⑨ When he stood up after two Rak‘aat, he would say Takbeer and raise his hands to the level of his shoulders as he did at the beginning of the prayer.
⑩ He would complete the rest of his Salah in the same manner.
⑪ During the final Sujood, in which Salaam is given, he would perform Tawarruk, placing his left foot behind the right and sit on his left side.
✦ The Companions’ Testimony:They all said: “You have spoken the truth. This is how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray.”
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Salah, Chapter on the Opening of the Prayer, Hadith 730 – Authentic Chain✔ Key Points to Note:
- This narration is authentically proven.
- For detailed verification, refer to the writings of Shaykh Zubair Ali Zai رحمه الله.
- There is no difference between the prayer of men and women.
- For further clarity, read:
- “Is there any difference in Salah between men and women?”
- “Analysis of the Deobandi scholars' arguments on differences in prayer between men and women.”
- For further clarity, read:
