"My father narrated to me that a paternal uncle of his, who had been at Badr, said: 'I was sitting with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in the masjid when a man came in and prayed two rak'ahs, then he came and greeted the Prophet (ﷺ) with salam. The Prophet (ﷺ) had been watching him as he prayed, so he returned his salam, then he said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." So he went back and prayed, then he came back and greeted the Prophet (ﷺ) with salam. He returned the salam, then he said: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." The third or fourth time this happened, then the man said: "By the One Who revealed the Book to you, I have done my best and have tried hard; show me and teach me." He said: 'When you want to pray, perform wudu and do it well, then turn to face the Qiblah and say the takbir. Then recite the Quran, then bow until you are at ease in bowing. Then stand up until you are standing straight, then prostrate until you are at ease prostrating, then sit up until you are at ease sitting, then prostrate until you are at ease prostrating, then get up. If you complete the prayer in this manner you wil hve done it properly, and whatever you do less than this is lacking from you prayer.'"
The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer) - Sunan an-Nasa'i 1314
A profound narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i demonstrating the Prophet's meticulous attention to prayer correctness and his compassionate teaching methodology.
Contextual Analysis
This incident occurred in the Prophet's mosque, witnessed by a Badr veteran, indicating its significance. The Companion's repeated attempts show sincere desire for correctness.
The Prophet's repeated instruction "you have not prayed" indicates that incomplete prayer lacks validity, emphasizing the importance of proper fulfillment of pillars.
Scholarly Commentary
The man's eventual plea "By the One Who revealed the Book to you" demonstrates proper etiquette in seeking knowledge - with humility and recognition of Prophetic status.
The Prophet's comprehensive instruction covers: purification (wudu), direction (Qiblah), opening (takbir), recitation, proper bowing with stillness (tuma'ninah), proper prostration with stillness, and sitting between prostrations with stillness.
The phrase "at ease" (tuma'ninah) refers to the necessary stillness in each position - a fundamental pillar often neglected. This calm composure distinguishes valid prayer from hurried motions.
Legal Implications
This hadith establishes that prayer without tuma'ninah (stillness in positions) is invalid and must be repeated.
It demonstrates the Prophet's role as teacher - correcting with patience until the student specifically requests detailed instruction.
The comprehensive nature of the instruction shows that prayer validity depends on proper execution of all pillars, not merely the outward form.
Spiritual Dimensions
The incident teaches that worship requires both external correctness and internal presence of heart - the stillness reflects inner concentration.
The Prophet's methodology shows ideal Islamic education: allowing students to discover their need through experience before providing detailed guidance.