Prayer

‘Ubaid b. as-Sabbaq told in mursal form that God’s Messenger said one Friday, “Company of Muslims, this is a day which God has appointed as a festival, so bathe, and if anyone has perfume it does him no harm to apply some of it; and you should use the toothstick.” Malik transmitted it. Ibn Majah transmitted it from him, and it is in fully connected form from Ibn ‘Abbas.

Al-Bara’ reported God’s Messenger as saying, “It is a duty for Muslims to bathe on Friday, and one may apply some of his wife’s perfume; but if he can get none, water is a perfume for him.” Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it, the latter saying that this is a hasan tradition.

Anas said that the Prophet used to observe the Friday prayer when the sun passed the meridian. Bukhari transmitted it.

Sahl b. Sa‘d said, “We did not have a siesta or lunch till after the Friday prayer.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas said that when it was very cold the Prophet observed the prayer early, and when it was very hot he delayed the prayer till it was cooler. The reference is to the Friday prayer. Bukhari transmitted it.

As-Sa’ib b. Yazid said that in the time of God’s Messenger, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar the beginning of the summons on Friday was when the imam took his seat on the pupilt, but in 'Uthman’s time when (the people were numerous he added the third call on az-Zaura’.* *The name of a house in Madina. Bukhari transmitted it.

Jabir b. Samura said the Prophet gave two sermons between which he sat, recited the Qur’an and gave the people an exhortation and both his prayer and his sermon were of moderate length. Muslim transmitted it.

‘Ammar told how he heard God’s Messenger say, “The length of a man’s prayer and the shortness of his sermon are a sign of his understanding, so make the prayer long and the sermon short, for there is magic in eloquence.” Muslim transmitted it.

Jabir said that when God’s Messenger preached his eyes became red, his voice rose and his anger became violent, so that he was like one warning an army and saying, “The enemy has made a morning attack on you.” “The enemy has made an evening attack on you.” He would Say, “The last hour and I have been sent like these two,” and he would join his forefinger and his middle finger. Muslim transmitted it.

O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us” (Al-Qur’an; 43:77).(Bukhari and Muslim.)

Umm Hisham daughter of Haritha b. an-Nu‘man said she learned “Qaf. By the glorious Qur’an” (Al-Qur’an; 50) from no other source than the tongue of God’s Messenger who used to recite it every Friday on the pulpit when he preached to the people. Muslim transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Huraith said the Prophet preached on Friday wearing a black turban the ends of which he let hang between his shoulders. Muslim transmitted it.

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying in the course of a sermon, “When one of you comes on Friday while the imam is preaching, he should pray two rak'as and make them short.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone is in time for a rak‘a in the prayer along with the imam he has said the whole prayer.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Umar said that the Prophet used to deliver two sermons. He would sit down when he ascended the pulpit till he (I think he meant the mu’adhdhin) was finished. He would then stand up and preach, then sit down and say nothing, then stand up and preach. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud said, “When the Prophet sat down on the pulpit we faced him.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, and said this was a tradition he knew only among the traditions of Muhammad b. al-Fadl who was weak and whose traditions were not accepted.

Jabir b. Samura said, “The Prophet used to preach standing, then he would sit down, then stand and preach standing. If anyone tells you he preached sitting he is lying. I swear by God that I prayed along with him on more than two thousand occasions.” Muslim transmitted it.

Look at this scoundrel who is sitting while he preaches, though God most high has said, “But when they see merchandise or diversion they disperse to it and leave you standing” (Al-Qur’an; 62:11).Muslim transmitted it.

‘Umara b. Ruwaiba said he saw Bishr b. Marwan on the pulpit raising his hands and said, “God reject these hands! I have seen God’s Messenger gesture* no more than this with his hand;” and he pointed with his forefinger.*Literally, say. Muslim transmitted it.

Jabir said that when God’s Messenger seated himself on the pulpit on a Friday he said, “Sit down.” Ibn Mas'ud heard that and sat down at the door of the mosque, and when God’s Messenger saw him he said, “Come here, ‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.