The Book of Prayers

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Any woman who wears incense or perfume should not attend the later night prayer with us.”

Ibn Abbas commented on the words of Allah, Mighty and Majestic: “Do not recite your prayer aloud, nor make it too quiet.” He said: This was revealed while the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was concealed in Mecca. When he led his Companions in prayer, he recited the Qur'an aloud. When the polytheists heard him, they reviled the Qur'an, the One who revealed it, and the one who brought it. So Allah, Exalted is He, told His Prophet (ﷺ): “Do not recite so loudly that the polytheists hear your recitation, nor so quietly that your Companions cannot hear it. Let them hear the Qur'an, but do not recite at that loudness; seek a way between loud and quiet recitation.”

Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had neither recited the Qur'an to the jinn nor seen them. He went out with some of his Companions intending to visit the market of Ukaz. At that time, the devils had been prevented from receiving news from heaven, and shooting stars had been sent against them. They returned to their people, who asked what had happened. They said that they had been blocked from the news of heaven and that shooting stars had been sent against them. Their people said, “This must be because of some event. Travel through the east and west of the earth and find out what has come between us and the news of heaven.” They set out in both directions. The group that headed toward Tihama passed by Nakhlah on its way to the market of Ukaz, where the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was leading his Companions in the dawn prayer. When they heard the Qur'an, they listened attentively and said, “This is what has come between us and the news of heaven.” They returned to their people and said, “Our people, we have heard a wondrous Qur'an. It guides to right guidance, so we believe in it and will never associate anyone with our Lord.” Then Allah, Mighty and Majestic, revealed to His Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ): “Say: It has been revealed to me that a group of jinn listened.”

Jabir ibn Samurah reported: The people of Kufa complained about Sad to Umar ibn al-Khattab, criticizing his prayer. Umar summoned him. Sad said: I lead them in prayer like the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, without falling short. I make the first two units long and shorten the last two. Umar said: That is what I expected of you, Abu Ishaq.