A man entered the mosque and started praying while Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was sitting somewhere in the mosque. Then (after finishing the prayer) the man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and greeted him. The Prophet (ﷺ) said to him, "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed. The man went back, and having prayed, he came and greeted the Prophet. The Prophet (ﷺ) after returning his greetings said, "Go back and pray, for you did not pray." On the third time the man said, "(O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!) teach me (how to pray)." The Prophet said, "When you get up for the prayer, perform the ablution properly and then face the Qibla and say Takbir (Allahu Akbar), and then recite of what you know of the Qur'an, and then bow, and remain in this state till you feel at rest in bowing, and then raise your head and stand straight; and then prostrate till you feel at rest in prostration, and then sit up till you feel at rest while sitting; and then prostrate again till you feel at rest in prostration; and then get up and stand straight, and do all this in all your prayers."
Oaths and Vows - Sahih al-Bukhari 6667
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari demonstrates the Prophet's meticulous approach to teaching prayer (salah), emphasizing both external form and internal presence of heart.
Scholarly Commentary
The Prophet's repeated instruction to "go back and pray" indicates that prayer requires both correct outward form and proper inward state. The Companions prayer, while externally valid, lacked the required tranquility (tuma'ninah) in its postures.
Tuma'ninah refers to remaining calmly in each position long enough for all limbs to settle, not merely rushing through motions. This is a pillar (rukn) of prayer without which prayer becomes invalid.
The Prophet's teaching method shows great wisdom - he allowed the Companion to discover his need for instruction through experience rather than immediately correcting him. This pedagogical approach creates greater receptivity in the student.
The sequence taught - purification, direction, takbir, recitation, bowing with calmness, standing straight, prostrating with calmness, sitting with calmness - establishes the essential framework of valid prayer that every Muslim must learn.
Legal Rulings Derived
Tuma'ninah (calmness and pause in prayer postures) is obligatory (wajib) in prayer according to the majority of scholars.
Prayer must be learned properly from qualified teachers, as the Companion recognized his need for instruction after repeated failure.
The Prophet's emphasis on "all your prayers" indicates these requirements apply to every prayer, whether obligatory or voluntary.
Correct performance of ablution (wudu) is a prerequisite for valid prayer, as mentioned at the beginning of the instruction.