Sunan an-Nasa'i 1136

Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Yazid al-Muqri, Abu Yahya, reported to us in Makkah—though he was from Basra. He said: My father narrated to us; he said: Hammam narrated to us; he said: Ishaq ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Abi Talhah narrated to us that ‘Ali ibn Yahya ibn Khallad ibn Malik ibn Rafi‘ ibn Malik related to him, from his father, from his uncle Rifa‘ah ibn Rafi‘, who said: While the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was sitting with us gathered around him, a man came in, faced the qiblah, and prayed. When he finished, he came and greeted the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and the people. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) replied, “And upon you. Go and pray, for you have not prayed.” The man went and prayed while the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) watched him, though the man did not know what was wrong with his prayer. When he finished, he came and greeted the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and the people. He replied, “And upon you. Go and pray, for you have not prayed.” The man repeated the prayer two or three times, then said, “Messenger of Allah, what did you find wrong with my prayer?” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “A prayer is not complete until one performs ablution thoroughly as Allah, Mighty and Majestic, commanded: washing his face and hands up to the elbows, wiping his head, and washing his feet up to the ankles. Then he should proclaim Allah’s greatness, praise Him, and extol Him.” Hammam said: I heard him say, “He should praise Allah, extol Him, and proclaim His greatness.” He said: I heard both of them say that. He said: “He should recite whatever is easy for him from the Qur’an that Allah has taught him and permitted him to recite in prayer. Then he should proclaim Allah’s greatness and bow until his joints are settled and relaxed. Then he should say, ‘Allah hears whoever praises Him,’ and stand upright until his back is straight. Then he should proclaim Allah’s greatness and prostrate, placing his face firmly on the ground.” I also heard him say, “his forehead,” until his joints are settled and relaxed. Then he should proclaim Allah’s greatness and rise until he is sitting upright, settling his back. Then he should proclaim Allah’s greatness and prostrate, placing his face firmly on the ground and relaxing. If he does not do this, his prayer is not complete.”