Conditions of Prayer
40 hadiths
Do not sit on graves, and do not pray towards them
Abu Marthad al-Ghanawi (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not sit on graves, and do not pray towards them."
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) delayed the ‘Ishā' prayer until part of the night had passed and it was dark. ‘Umar came to him saying: O Messenger of Allah, come to pray, the women and children have slept. He came out with his head dripping with water and said: Had it not been hard for my Ummah, I would have commanded them to perform that prayer at this hour
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) delayed the ‘Ishā' prayer until part of the night had passed and it was dark. ‘Umar came to him saying: "O Messenger of Allah, come to pray, the women and children have slept." He came out with his head dripping with water and said: "Had it not been hard for my Ummah, I would have commanded them to perform that prayer at this hour."
Allah does not accept the prayer of any woman who has reached the age of menstruation unless [she is] veiled
‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah does not accept the prayer of any woman who has reached the age of menstruation unless [she is] veiled.''
None of you should pray in a single garment with nothing on his shoulders
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "None of you should pray in a single garment with nothing on his shoulders."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray on his riding animal, regardless of the direction it was facing. When he wanted to perform an obligatory prayer, he would dismount and face the Qiblah
Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray on his riding animal, regardless of the direction it was facing. When he wanted to perform an obligatory prayer, he would dismount and face the Qiblah.
When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was on a journey and wished to offer voluntary prayers, he made his she-camel face the Qiblah, said Takbīr, and then prayed towards whatever direction his mount would face
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was on a journey and wished to offer voluntary prayers, he made his she-camel face the Qiblah, said Takbīr, and then prayed towards whatever direction his mount would face.
All of the earth is a mosque (prayer place) except the graveyard and the bathroom
Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "All of the earth is a mosque (prayer place) except the graveyard and the bathroom."
There are three (people) whose actions are not recorded by the Pen: a sleeping person till he awakes, a boy till he reaches puberty, and a person with an unsound mind till he regains his sanity
‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are three (people) whose actions are not recorded by the Pen: a sleeping person till he awakes, a boy till he reaches puberty, and a person with an unsound mind till he regains his sanity."
While the people were performing the Fajr prayer in Qubā' Mosque, someone came saying: Tonight, (a portion of the) Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and he was ordered to face the Qiblah, so face it.
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: While the people were performing the Fajr prayer in Qubā' Mosque, someone came saying: "Tonight, (a portion of the) Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and he was ordered to face the Qiblah, so face it." Their faces were turned toward the Levant, so they turned towards the Ka‘bah.
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered the House along with Usāma ibn Zayd, Bilāl, and ‘Uthmān ibn Talha
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered the House along with Usāma ibn Zayd, Bilāl, and ‘Uthmān ibn Talha. They closed the door from within, and, as they opened it, I was the first to get into it and meet Bilāl. I asked him: “Has the Messenger of Allah prayed in it?” He said: “Yes, he prayed between the two Yemeni Pillars.”
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer the Zhuhr prayer at the time of intense heat, and the ‘Asr prayer at the time when the sun was clear, and the Maghrib prayer when its time was due
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer the Zhuhr prayer at the time of intense heat, and the ‘Asr prayer at the time when the sun was clear, and the Maghrib prayer when its time was due, and as for the ‘Ishā' prayer, he would sometimes hasten to offer it when he saw them already gathered, and at other times he would delay it when they had not gathered yet. As for the Fajr prayer, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer it at the time when darkness at the end of the night mixed with the faint light of the morning.
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer the Fajr prayer while some women from among the believers, wrapped in their garments, would attend the prayer with him. Then they would return to their homes, and no one would recognize them because of the darkness
‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer the Fajr prayer while some women from among the believers, wrapped in their garments, would attend the prayer with him. Then they would return to their homes, and no one would recognize them because of the darkness.
I used to sleep in front of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) with my legs in his prayer direction. When he wanted to prostrate, he would prod me so that I withdraw my feet, and when he stood up, I would stretch them. In those days, houses had no lamps
‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: I used to sleep in front of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) with my legs in his prayer direction. When he wanted to prostrate, he would prod me so that I withdraw my feet, and when he stood up, I would stretch them. In those days, houses had no lamps.
The time for the Zhuhr prayer starts when the sun has passed its zenith and a man's shadow is equal in length to his height, until the time for the ‘Asr prayer comes. The time for the ‘Asr lasts until the sun turns yellow. The time for the Maghrib prayer lasts so long as the dusk is not gone. The time for the ‘Ishā' prayer lasts until midnight. The time for the Fajr prayer lasts from the break of dawn so long as the sun has not risen
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The time for the Zhuhr prayer starts when the sun has passed its zenith and a man's shadow is equal in length to his height, until the time for the ‘Asr prayer comes. The time for the ‘Asr lasts until the sun turns yellow. The time for the Maghrib prayer lasts so long as the dusk is not gone. The time for the ‘Ishā' prayer lasts until midnight. The time for the Fajr prayer lasts from the break of dawn so long as the sun has not risen. When the sun rises, stop praying, for it rises between two horns of a devil."
We used to perform the Maghrib prayer with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and when one of us left he could still see where his arrow landed
Rāfi‘ ibn Khadīj al-Anṣāri al-Awsi (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We used to pray the Maghrib prayer with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and when one of us left he could still see where his arrow landed.
Whoever catches one Rak‘ah before sunrise, he has caught the Fajr prayer, and whoever catches one Rak‘ah of the ‘Asr prayer before sunset, he has caught the ‘Asr prayer
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever catches one Rak‘ah before sunrise, he has caught the Fajr prayer, and whoever catches one Rak‘ah of the ‘Asr prayer before sunset, he has caught the ‘Asr prayer."
There are two 'Fajrs'. As for the 'Fajr' that resembles the tale of a wolf, it is not a sign that prayer has become due or food has become forbidden to consume. And as for the 'Fajr' that takes a rectangular shape in the horizon, it is a sign that prayer has become due and food forbidden to consume
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are two 'Fajrs'. As for the 'Fajr' that resembles the tale of a wolf, it is not a sign that prayer has become due or food has become forbidden to consume. And as for the 'Fajr' that takes a rectangular shape in the horizon, it is a sign that prayer has become due and food forbidden to consume."
We were with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) on a journey on a very dark night and we didn't know the direction of the Qiblah. So each man among us prayed in his own direction. In the morning, when we mentioned that to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) the following verse was revealed: {So wherever you turn, there is the Face of Allah} [Sūrat al-Baqarah: 115]
‘Āmir ibn Rabī‘ah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) on a journey on a very dark night and we didn't know the direction of the Qiblah. So each man among us prayed in his own direction. In the morning, when we mentioned that to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) the following verse was revealed: {So wherever you turn, there is the Face of Allah.} [Sūrat al-Baqarah: 115]
What is between the east and the west is Qiblah
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘What is between the east and the west is Qiblah.
When anyone of you comes to the mosque, he should look (at his sandals). If he sees any filth or dirt on his sandals, he should wipe it off and pray in them
Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Once the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was leading his Companions in prayer when all of a sudden he removed his sandals and placed them on his left. When the people saw that, they threw off their sandals too. When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) finished his prayer he said: "What made you all throw off your sandals?" They said: "We saw you throw off your sandals, so we threw off ours." The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Jibrīl (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to me and told me that they had some filth on them (or he said 'dirt')." Then the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When anyone of you comes to the mosque, he should look (at his sandals). If he sees any filth or dirt on his sandals, he should wipe it off and pray in them."
If the supper is served, then start eating it before performing the Maghrib prayer, and do not be hasty in finishing it
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If the supper is served, then start eating it before praying the Maghrib prayer, and do not be hasty in finishing it."
يا عمرو، صليتَ بأصحابك وأنت جنب؟
عن عمرو بن العاص، قال: احتلمت في ليلة باردة في غزوة ذات السَّلاسل، فأشفقتُ أن اغتسل فأهْلِكَ، فتيممتُ ثم صليتُ بأصحابي الصبح، فذكروا ذلك للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقال: "يا عمرو، صليتَ بأصحابك وأنت جنب؟" فأخبرته بالذي منعني من الاغتسال، وقلت: إني سمعت الله يقول: {ولا تقتلوا أنفسكم إن الله كان بكم رحيمًا} [النساء: 29]، فضحك رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ولم يقل شيئَا.
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي العصر والشمس مرتفعة حَيَّة
عن أنس بن مالك قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي العصر والشمس مرتفعة حَيَّة، فيذهب الذاهب إلى العوالي، فيأتيهم والشمس مرتفعة، وبعض العوالي من المدينة على أربعة أميال أو نحوه.
كنا نصلي مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم العصر، فننحر جزورًا، فتُقسم عشرَ قِسَمٍ، فنأكل لحمًا نضيجًا قبل أن تغرب الشمس
عن رافع بن خديج رضي الله عنه قال: كنا نصلي مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم العصر، فننحر جزورًا، فتُقسم عشرَ قِسَمٍ، فنأكل لحمًا نضيجًا قبل أن تغرب الشمس.
كنا نصلي مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم المغرب إذا توارت بالحجاب
عن سلمة قال: كنا نصلي مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم المغرب إذا توارت بالحجاب.
كيف أنت إذا كانت عليك أمراء يؤخرون الصلاة عن وقتها؟
عن أبي ذر قال: قال لي رسول الله: «كيف أنت إذا كانت عليك أمراء يؤخرون الصلاة عن وقتها؟» أو «يميتون الصلاة عن وقتها؟» قال: قلت: فما تأمرني؟ قال: «صلِّ الصلاة لوقتها، فإن أدركتها معهم فصَلِّ، فإنها لك نافلة».
صلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم نحو بيت المقدس ستةَ عشرَ أو سبعةَ عشرَ شهرًا
عن البراء بن عازب رضي الله عنهما قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم صلى نحو بيت المقدس ستةَ عشرَ أو سبعةَ عشرَ شهرًا، وكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يحب أن يُوجَّه إلى الكعبة، فأنزل الله: {قد نرى تقلب وجهك في السماء} [البقرة: 144]، فتوجه نحو الكعبة، وقال السفهاء من الناس، وهم اليهود: {ما ولاهم عن قبلتهم التي كانوا عليها، قل لله المشرق والمغرب يهدي من يشاء إلى صراط مستقيم} [البقرة: 142] فصلى مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم رجل، ثم خرج بعد ما صلى، فمر على قوم من الأنصار في صلاة العصر نحو بيت المقدس، فقال: هو يشهد أنه صلى مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، وأنه توجه نحو الكعبة. فتحرف القوم، حتى توجهوا نحو الكعبة.
أقيمت الصلاة وعدلت الصفوف قيامًا فخرج إلينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
عن أبي هريرة قال: أقيمت الصلاة وعدلت الصفوف قيامًا، فخرج إلينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فلما قام في مصلاه، ذكر أنه جنب، فقال لنا: «مكانكم» ثم رجع فاغتسل، ثم خرج إلينا ورأسه يقطر، فكبر فصلينا معه.
إذا أحدث أحدكم في صلاته فلياخذ بأنفه ثم لينصرف
عن عائشة قالت: قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: "إذا أحدث أحدكم في صلاته فليأخذ بأنفه ثم لينصرف".
O Messenger of Allah, I could not offer the ‘Asr prayer till the sun had set. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: By Allah! I have not yet prayed it either. So we went to But-hān, and he performed ablution and so did we, and then he offered the ‘Asr prayer after the sun had set and then followed it with the Maghrib prayer
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb came cursing the disbelievers of Quraysh after the sun had set on the Day of the Trench, and he said: "O Messenger of Allah, I could not offer the ‘Asr prayer till the sun had set." The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "By Allah! I have not yet prayed it either." So we went to But-hān, and he performed ablution and so did we, and then he offered the ‘Asr prayer after the sun had set and then followed it with the Maghrib prayer.
I went with my father to Abu Barzah al-Aslami, and my father asked him: How did the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) use to perform the obligatory prayers?
Abu al-Minhāl Sayyār ibn Salāmah reported: I went with my father to Abu Barzah al-Aslami, and my father asked him: "How did the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) use to perform the obligatory prayers?" Abu Barzah said: "He used to pray Zhuhr, which you call ‘the first one’, as the sun declined at noon, and he prayed ‘Asr at a time after which one of us could go to his house at the farthest place in Madīnah while the sun was still hot." I forgot what he had said about the Maghrib prayer. "And he liked to delay the ‘Ishā' prayer, which you call ‘Atamah, and he disliked to sleep before it and talk after it. After the Fajr prayer, he would leave when a man could recognize the one sitting beside him. He used to recite 60 to 100 verses.'"
Jibrīl came down and led me in prayer, and I prayed with him, then I prayed with him, then I prayed with him, then I prayed with him, then I prayed with him
Ibn Shihāb reported that ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azīz once delayed the ‘Asr prayer a little. ‘Urwah said to him: "Verily, Jibrīl came down and led the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in prayer." ‘Umar said: "Watch what you are saying ‘Urwah!" He said: "I heard Bashīr ibn Abi Mas‘ūd say: 'I heard Abu Mas‘ūd say: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'Jibrīl came down and led me in prayer, and I prayed with him, then I prayed with him, then I prayed with him, then I prayed with him, then I prayed with him.' And he counted off five prayers on his fingers.''"
This is the best time to perform it, had it not been difficult for my Ummah
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) delayed the ‘Ishā' prayer, which is called the ‘Atamah, one night. He did not come out till ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb said: "The women and children had gone to sleep." [In another narration: Until most of the night had elapsed]. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) came out and said to the people in the mosque: "None among the inhabitants of earth except you are waiting for it." [In another narration: This is the best time to perform it, had it not been difficult for my Ummah.] This happened before the spread of Islam. Ibn Shihāb said: "It was reported to me that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘It was not appropriate for you to press the Messenger of Allah to come to prayer’, alluding to ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb when he gave his loud notification.”
Offer the Fajr prayer at dawn, for this earns you greater rewards – or brings greater rewards
Rāfi‘ ibn Khadeīj (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Offer the Fajr prayer at dawn, for this earns you greater rewards – or brings greater rewards."
If it is wide, cross its ends; and if it is tight, pull it around your waist
Sa‘īd ibn al-Hārith reported: We asked Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh about praying in one garment and he said: 'I traveled with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) on one of his journeys, and I came one night for something I needed and found him praying. I had one garment on me, so I wrapped it around myself and prayed by his side. When he finished, he said: "O Jābir, what has brought you here at night?" I told him of my need. When I finished, he said: "O Jābir, what is this wrapping up that I have seen?" I said: "It is a (tight) garment." He said: "If it is large enough, cover yourself with it; and if it is tight, use it as a waist sheet." The version narrated by Muslim reads: "If it is wide, cross its ends; and if it is tight, pull it around your waist."
وقت صلاتكم بين ما رأيتم
عن بريدة عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أن رجلًا سأله عن وقت الصلاة، فقال له: «صَلِّ معنا هذين» يعني اليومين، فلما زالت الشمس أمر بلالًا فأذن، ثم أمره، فأقام الظهر، ثم أمره، فأقام العصر والشمس مرتفعة بيضاء نقية، ثم أمره فأقام المغرب حين غابت الشمس، ثم أمره فأقام العشاء حين غاب الشفق، ثم أمره فأقام الفجر حين طلع الفجر، فلما أن كان اليوم الثاني أمره فأبرد بالظهر، فأبرد بها، فأنعم أن يبرد بها، وصلى العصر والشمس مرتفعة أخرها فوق الذي كان، وصلى المغرب قبل أن يغيب الشفق، وصلى العشاء بعدما ذهب ثلث الليل، وصلى الفجر فأسفر بها، ثم قال: «أين السائل عن وقت الصلاة؟» فقال الرجل: أنا، يا رسول الله. قال: «وقت صلاتكم بين ما رأيتم».
رأيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي في ثوبٍ واحدٍ متوشِّحًا به
عن جابر قال: رأيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي في ثوبٍ واحدٍ متوشِّحًا به.
كان رجالٌ يصلون مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عاقدي أُزُرِهم على أعناقهم، كهيئة الصبيان
عن سهل بن سعد قال: كان رجالٌ يصلون مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عاقدي أُزُرِهم على أعناقهم، كهيئة الصبيان، ويقال للنساء: لا ترفعن رؤوسكن حتى يستوي الرجال جلوسًا.
الصلاة في الثوب الواحد سنة
عن أُبيّ بن كعب قال: الصلاة في الثوب الواحد سنة، كنا نفعله مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ولا يعاب علينا. فقال ابن مسعود: إنما كان ذاك إذ كان في الثياب قلة، فأما إذ وسع الله فالصلاة في الثوبين أزكى.
None of you should offer prayer in a single garment that does not cover the shoulders
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "None of you should offer prayer in a single garment that does not cover the shoulders."