The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer)

كتاب السهو

Chapter 10: Stern warning against turning around when praying

Narrated from 'Aishah

A similar report was also narrated from 'Aishah, from the Prophet (ﷺ).

It was narrated that Abu 'Atiyyah said

"Aishah said: 'Turning around during prayer is something that the Shaitan snatches from one's prayer.'"

Chapter 11: Concession allowing one to turn to the right or left when praying

It was narrated that Jabir said

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was ill, and we prayed behind him while he was sitting, and Abu Bakr repeated his takbirs so that the people could hear them. He turned to us and saw us standing, so he gestured to us to sit down. So we prayed behind him sitting. When he said the salam he said: 'Just now you were doing what the Persians and Romans do for their kings when they are sitting. Do not do that. Follow your Imams: If they pray standing then pray standing, and if they pray sitting then pray sitting.'"

It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to turn to his right and left when praying, but he did not twist his neck to look behind him."

Chapter 12: Killing snakes and scorpions while praying

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded us to kill the two black ones (snakes and scorpions) while praying."

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) enjoined killing the two black ones (snakes and scorpions) while praying.

Chapter 13: Carrying small children and putting them down while praying

It was narrated from Abu Qatadah that

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray carrying Umamah. When he prostrated he put her down and when he stood up he picked her up again.

It was narrated that Abu Qatadah said

"I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) leading the people in prayer, carrying Umamah bint Abi Al-'As on his shoulder. When he bowed he put her down and when he finished prostrating he picked her up again."

Chapter 14: Taking a few steps in the direction of the Qiblah

It was narrated that 'Aishah, may Allah (SWT) be pleased with her, said

"I knocked at the door when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was offering a voluntary prayer. The door was in the direction of the Qiblah so he took a few steps to his right or left and opened the door, then he went back to where he was praying."

Chapter 15: Clapping during prayer

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "The Tasbih is for men, and clapping is for women." Ibn Al-Muthanna added: "During the prayer."

Sa'eed bin Al-Musayyab and Abu Salamah bin 'Abdur-Rahman said that

They heard Abu Hurairah say: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The Tasbih is for men and clapping is for women.'"

Chapter 16: The Tasbih during prayer

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The tasbih is for men and clapping is for women.'"

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "The tasbih is for men and clapping is for women."

Chapter 17: Clearing the throat while praying

It was narrated that 'Ali said

"I had certain times when I used to come to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). When I came to him I would ask for permission to enter. If I found him praying he would clear his throat and I would enter, and if I found him free he would give me permission (to enter)."

It was narrated that 'Ali said

"I had two times when I would enter upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), one at night and one during the day. When I entered at night he would clear his throat (to tell me to come in)."

'Abdullah bin Nujayy narrated that his father said

"Ali said to me: 'I was so close to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), closer than anyone else. I used to come to him at the end of every night, before dawn, and say: "As-salamu 'alayka ya Nabiyy Allah (Peace be upon you, O Prophet of Allah)." If he cleared his throat I would go back to my family, otherwise I would enter upon him.'"

Chapter 18: Weeping during prayer

It was narrated from Mutarrif that his father said

"I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) when he was praying, and there was a sound coming from his chest like the sound of water boiling," meaning, he was weeping.

Chapter 19: Cursing Iblis and seeking refuge with Allah (SWT) from him while praying

It was narrated that Abu Ad-Darda' said

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stood praying, and we heard him say: 'I seek refuge with Allah from you.' Then he said: 'I curse you with the curse of Allah (SWT),' three times and stretched out his hand as if to take something. When he finished praying we said: 'O Messenger of Allah, we heard you say something in your prayer that we have never heard you say before, and we saw you stretch out your hand.' He said: 'The enemy of Allah (SWT), Iblis, came with a brand of fire to throw it in my face, so I said: I seek refuge with Allah from you three times, then I wanted to take hold of him. By Allah (SWT), were it not for the prayer of our brother Sulaiman, he would have been tied up this morning for the children of Al-Madinah to play with him.'"

Chapter 20: Speaking During the prayer

It was narrated from Abu Salamah that

Abu Hurairah said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stood up to pray and we stood up with him. A Bedouin said- while he was praying- 'O Allah, have mercy on me and Muhammad and do not have mercy on anyone else.' When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said the Salam, he said to the Bedouin: 'You have limited something vast," meaning the mercy of Allah (SWT)."

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that

A Bedouin entered the masjid and prayed two rak'ahs, then he said: "O Allah, have mercy on me and on Muhammad and do not have mercy on anyone else." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "You have limited something vast."