"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had a mat which he would spread in the day and make into a small booth at night to pray in it. The people found out about that and they prayed when he prayed, with the mat in between him and them. He said: 'Do as much of good deeds as you can, for Allah does not get tired (of giving reward) until you get tired. And the most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are continuous, even if they are few.' Then he stopped that prayer and did not return to it until Allah took him (in death), and if he started to do something he would persist in it."
The Book of the Qiblah - Sunan an-Nasa'i 762
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had a mat which he would spread in the day and make into a small booth at night to pray in it. The people found out about that and they prayed when he prayed, with the mat in between him and them. He said: 'Do as much of good deeds as you can, for Allah does not get tired (of giving reward) until you get tired. And the most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are continuous, even if they are few.' Then he stopped that prayer and did not return to it until Allah took him (in death), and if he started to do something he would persist in it."
Commentary on the Prophet's Practice
The Prophet's use of a mat as a screen demonstrates the permissibility of using barriers during prayer to maintain concentration and prevent distraction. His action of making a small booth (sutrah) reflects the importance of having a prayer barrier, which protects the worshipper from people passing in front.
When the companions followed his example and prayed behind the same barrier, the Prophet did not prohibit them but instead delivered profound guidance about worship: emphasizing consistency over quantity, and reminding that Allah's reward is limitless while human capacity is finite.
Scholarly Insights on Continuity in Worship
The statement "the most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are continuous" teaches us that small, consistent acts of worship are superior to intense but sporadic devotion. This principle protects against burnout and cultivates steady spiritual growth.
The Prophet's discontinuation of this particular prayer demonstrates that while consistency is valued, it does not mean rigid adherence to every practice. The scholars explain that he stopped it to prevent it from becoming obligatory upon his community, showing his mercy and concern for their ease.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
This hadith establishes the legitimacy of using prayer screens (sutrah) and confirms that actions done in private may become known and emulated by others.
The final statement "if he started to do something he would persist in it" refers to established acts of worship, not the temporary practice mentioned earlier. This shows the Prophet's steadfastness in consistent worship while maintaining flexibility in supplementary practices.