It was narrated from Abdullah bin Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered the Ka'bah with Usamah bin Zaid, Bilal and Uthman bin Talha al Hajabi, and locked the door behind him. Abdullah bin Umar said: "I asked Bilal when he came out: " What did the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) do?" He said: "He stood with one pillar to his left, two pillars to his right and three pillars behind him - at that time the House stood on six pillars - and he prayed with approximately three forearm's length between him and the wall."
The Book of the Qiblah - Sunan an-Nasa'i 749
This narration from Abdullah bin Umar describes the Prophet Muhammad's entry into the Ka'bah, accompanied by Usamah bin Zaid, Bilal, and Uthman bin Talha al-Hajabi. The door was locked behind them, indicating the sacredness and privacy of this moment.
Scholarly Commentary
The Prophet's positioning within the Ka'bah demonstrates the proper manner of prayer in confined spaces. Standing with one pillar to his left, two to his right, and three behind him shows the importance of having barriers (sutrah) during prayer, even within the most sacred mosque.
The Ka'bah's six-pillared structure at that time reflects its historical architecture. The Prophet's prayer at approximately three forearm's length from the wall teaches the optimal distance between the worshipper and the prayer direction marker (qiblah), ensuring proper concentration and reverence.
This hadith establishes the permissibility of praying inside the Ka'bah and provides guidance on prayer positioning. The selection of companions from different backgrounds - Bilal the former slave, Usamah the beloved, and Uthman the keyholder - demonstrates Islam's inclusivity.