Sa`d said, "I used to pray with them a prayer similar to that of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (the prayer of Zuhr and `Asr) reducing nothing from them. I used to prolong the first two rak`at and shorten the last two rak`at." `Umar said to Sa`d "This was what we thought about you."
Call to Prayers (Adhaan)
Sahih al-Bukhari 758
Textual Analysis
This narration from Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas describes the proper method of performing the four-rak'ah prayers (Zuhr and 'Asr). Sa'd affirms that he maintained the complete prayer as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), without any reduction in its essential components.
The key distinction lies in the duration: prolonging the first two rak'at and shortening the last two. This practice reflects the Sunnah wherein the standing recitation in initial rak'at is longer than subsequent ones.
Juridical Commentary
Scholars derive from this hadith that the first two rak'at should contain longer Qur'anic recitation than the final two. This applies particularly to Zuhr and 'Asr prayers where recitation is done silently.
'Umar's response indicates communal verification of religious practice, showing how companions monitored each other's adherence to Prophetic traditions. This establishes the principle of mutual enjoining of good and forbidding evil within the Muslim community.
Spiritual Significance
The gradual reduction in prayer length symbolizes the spiritual journey: beginning with extended communion with Allah, then moving toward conclusion while maintaining devotion. This structure accommodates both spiritual immersion and practical consistency in worship.
The narration demonstrates the importance of preserving Prophetic practices exactly as taught, without innovation or neglect, while understanding the wisdom behind their particular forms.