"While the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was sitting with us around him, a man came in, turned towards the Qiblah and prayed. When he had finished his prayer, he came and greeted the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and the people with Salam. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: 'And also to you. Go and pray, for you have not prayed.' So he went and prayed, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) started watching him, and he (the man) did not know what was wrong with it. When he had finished the prayer, he came and greeted the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and the people with salam. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: 'And also to you. Go and pray, for you have not prayed.' He repeated it two or three times, then the man said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what is wrong with my prayer?' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The prayer of any of you is not complete unless he performs wudu properly as enjoined by Allah, the Mighty and Sublime. So he should wash his face, his arms up to the elbows, and wipe his head, and (wash) his feet up to the ankles. Then he should magnify Allah (SWT) and praise Him and glorify Him.'" - (One of the narrators) Hammam said: "I heard him say: 'He should praise Allah and glorify Him and magnify Him." He said: "I heard both of them." -"He (the Prophet (ﷺ)) said: 'He should recite whatever is easy for him of the Quran that Allah has taught him and permitted him in it (the prayer). Then he should say the Takbir and bow until his joints settle and he is relaxed. Then he should say: 'Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears the one who praises Him)' and stand up straight until his backbone is straight (and at ease). Then he should say Takbir and prostrate until he has placed his face firmly on the ground." "I heard him say: his forehead, until his joints settle and he is relaxed. Then he should say the Takbir and sit up until his backbone is straight (and at ease). Then he should prostrate until he has placed his face firmly on the ground and he is relaxed. If he does not do that then he has not completed his prayer."
The Book of The At-Tatbiq (Clasping One's Hands Together) - Sunan an-Nasa'i
Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1136
Context and Significance
This profound narration demonstrates the Prophet's (ﷺ) meticulous approach to teaching prayer (salah), the cornerstone of Islamic worship. The Companions' gathering represents a learning circle where practical instruction takes precedence over theoretical discourse.
The man's repeated return indicates his sincere desire to learn correctly, embodying the Islamic principle of seeking knowledge until perfection in worship is achieved.
Scholarly Commentary on Essential Elements
The Prophet's (ﷺ) declaration "you have not prayed" emphasizes that prayer without proper prerequisites and pillars is invalid. Scholars interpret this as establishing the fundamental conditions for valid prayer.
Proper wudu (ablution) is highlighted as the foundation, with specific mention of washing the face, arms to elbows, wiping the head, and washing feet to ankles - exactly as commanded in Quran 5:6.
The instruction to "magnify Allah and praise Him and glorify Him" refers to the opening takbir (Allahu Akbar) and subsequent glorifications that orient the heart toward divine majesty.
Principles of Prayer Postures
The emphasis on joints settling and relaxation (tuma'ninah) in bowing, standing, and prostrating establishes the essential quality of prayer movements. Classical scholars consider tuma'ninah a pillar (rukn) without which prayer is invalid.
The detailed description of proper prostration - placing the forehead firmly on the ground - underscores the physical submission required in salah, reflecting the spiritual state of humility before Allah.
Legal Implications and Rulings
This hadith provides the basis for several legal rulings: the necessity of complete wudu, the obligation of recitation from Quran, the requirement of proper postures with stillness, and the comprehensive nature of prayer validity.
The final warning "if he does not do that then he has not completed his prayer" serves as a grave reminder that neglecting any essential component renders the entire prayer invalid, necessitating repetition.