22) Forgetfulness in Prayer

Forgetfulness in PrayerBook 22 of Sahih al-Bukhari

This section gathers Hadith 1224 to 1236 on forgetfulness in prayer, prostrations of sahw, correcting mistakes in salah, and necessary gestures during prayer.

Hadith Entries

Hadith 1224 to 1236

Read each Hadith below in a clean study flow with title, narrator, Arabic text, English text, practical life application, and reference.

1224

If Someone Gets Up for the Third Raka After the Second Raka

Narrated by Abdullah bin Buhaina

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكُ بْنُ أَنَسٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ابْنِ بُحَيْنَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّهُ قَالَ صَلَّى لَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ بَعْضِ الصَّلَوَاتِ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ، فَقَامَ النَّاسُ مَعَهُ، فَلَمَّا قَضَى صَلاَتَهُ وَنَظَرْنَا تَسْلِيمَهُ كَبَّرَ قَبْلَ التَّسْلِيمِ فَسَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ‏.‏
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) once led us in a prayer and offered two rak`at and got up (for the third rak`a) without sitting (after the second rak`a). The people also got up with him, and when he was about to finish his prayer, we waited for him to finish the prayer with Taslim but he said Takbir before Taslim and performed two prostrations while sitting and then finished the prayer with Taslim.

How to Apply This in Life

If you make an honest mistake in salah, do not panic. Learn the Sunnah of sujood as-sahw so mistakes are corrected with calmness and knowledge.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1224
In-book reference :
Book 22, Hadith 1
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 315
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1225

If One Stands Up After Two Rakat in Zuhr Without Sitting

Narrated by Abdullah bin Buhaina

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ابْنِ بُحَيْنَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّهُ قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَامَ مِنِ اثْنَتَيْنِ مِنَ الظُّهْرِ لَمْ يَجْلِسْ بَيْنَهُمَا، فَلَمَّا قَضَى صَلاَتَهُ سَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ‏.‏
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) got up after the second rak`a of the Zuhr prayer without sitting in between (the second and the third rak`at). When he finished the prayer he performed two prostrations (of Sahu) and then finished the prayer with Taslim.

How to Apply This in Life

This teaches that forgetfulness in prayer has a Prophetic correction. Study it, so small mistakes do not turn into confusion or despair.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1225
In-book reference :
Book 22, Hadith 2
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 316
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1226

If One Offers Five Rakat Instead of Four

Narrated by Abdullah

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنِ الْحَكَمِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلَّى الظُّهْرَ خَمْسًا فَقِيلَ لَهُ أَزِيدَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ وَمَا ذَاكَ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ صَلَّيْتَ خَمْسًا‏.‏ فَسَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ مَا سَلَّمَ‏.‏
Once Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) offered five rak`at in the Zuhr prayer, and somebody asked him whether there was some increase in the prayer. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "What is that?" He said, "You have offered five rak`at." So Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) performed two prostrations of Sahu after Taslim.

How to Apply This in Life

Prayer should be watched with attention. When a real mistake happens, accept correction humbly and fix it according to the Sunnah.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1226
In-book reference :
Book 22, Hadith 3
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 317
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1227

If One Ends the Prayer After Two or Three Rakat by Mistake

Narrated by Abu Huraira

حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ صَلَّى بِنَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الظُّهْرَ أَوِ الْعَصْرَ فَسَلَّمَ، فَقَالَ لَهُ ذُو الْيَدَيْنِ الصَّلاَةُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهَ أَنَقَصَتْ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لأَصْحَابِهِ ‏"‏ أَحَقٌّ مَا يَقُولُ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالُوا نَعَمْ‏.‏ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ أُخْرَيَيْنِ ثُمَّ سَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ‏.‏ قَالَ سَعْدٌ وَرَأَيْتُ عُرْوَةَ بْنَ الزُّبَيْرِ صَلَّى مِنَ الْمَغْرِبِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَسَلَّمَ وَتَكَلَّمَ ثُمَّ صَلَّى مَا بَقِيَ وَسَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ وَقَالَ هَكَذَا فَعَلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏
The Prophet (ﷺ) led us in the `Asr or the Zuhr prayer and finished it with Taslim. Dhul-Yadain said to him, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Has the prayer been reduced?" The Prophet (ﷺ) asked his companions in the affirmative. So Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) offered two more rak`at and then performed two prostrations of Sahu. Sa`d said, "I saw that `Urwa bin Az-Zubair had offered two rak`at in the Maghrib prayer and finished it with Taslim. He then talked and completed the rest of his prayer and performed two prostrations, and said, 'The Prophet (ﷺ) prayed like this.' "

How to Apply This in Life

If a mistake is noticed, religion does not tell you to collapse in embarrassment. Correct it properly and continue with steadiness.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1227
In-book reference :
Book 22, Hadith 4
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 318
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1228

Whoever Did Not Recite Tashahhud After the Two Prostrations of Sahw

Narrated by Abu Huraira

And Anas and Al-Hasan did not recite it. And Qatada said that Tashah-hud should not be recited after the prostrations of Sahw.
وَسَلَّمَ أَنَسٌ وَالْحَسَنُ وَلَمْ يَتَشَهَّدَا. وَقَالَ قَتَادَةُ لاَ يَتَشَهَّدُ. حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكُ بْنُ أَنَسٍ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ بْنِ أَبِي تَمِيمَةَ السَّخْتِيَانِيِّ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِيرِينَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ‏.‏ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم انْصَرَفَ مِنِ اثْنَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ لَهُ ذُو الْيَدَيْنِ أَقُصِرَتِ الصَّلاَةُ أَمْ نَسِيتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ أَصَدَقَ ذُو الْيَدَيْنِ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَقَالَ النَّاسُ نَعَمْ‏.‏ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَصَلَّى اثْنَتَيْنِ أُخْرَيَيْنِ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ ثُمَّ كَبَّرَ فَسَجَدَ مِثْلَ سُجُودِهِ أَوْ أَطْوَلَ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ‏.‏
Once Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) offered two rak`at and finished his prayer. So Dhul-Yadain asked him, "Has the prayer been reduced or have you forgotten?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Has Dhul-Yadain spoken the truth?" The people replied in the affirmative. Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) stood up and offered the remaining two rak`at and performed Taslim, and then said Takbir and performed two prostrations like his usual prostrations, or a bit longer, and then got up.

How to Apply This in Life

The key lesson here is not panic but correction. Learn the rulings of sahw so your prayer remains sound even when forgetfulness happens.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1228
In-book reference :
Book 22, Hadith 5
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 319
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1228b

No Tashahhud Mentioned After the Prostrations of Sahw

Narrated by Salama bin Alqama

حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَلْقَمَةَ، قَالَ قُلْتُ لِمُحَمَّدٍ فِي سَجْدَتَىِ السَّهْوِ تَشَهُّدٌ قَالَ لَيْسَ فِي حَدِيثِ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ‏.‏
I asked Muhammad (bin Seereen) whether Tashah-hud should be recited after the two prostrations of Sahu. He replied, "It is not mentioned in Abu Huraira's narration."

How to Apply This in Life

This teaches carefulness with religious details. Do not add what is not established simply from habit or assumption.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1228b
In-book reference :
Book 22, Hadith 6
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 320
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1229

To Say Takbir in the Prostrations of Sahw

Narrated by Abu Huraira

حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ صَلَّى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِحْدَى صَلاَتَىِ الْعَشِيِّ ـ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ وَأَكْثَرُ ظَنِّي الْعَصْرَ ـ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ ثُمَّ قَامَ إِلَى خَشَبَةٍ فِي مُقَدَّمِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَوَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَيْهَا وَفِيهِمْ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ فَهَابَا أَنْ يُكَلِّمَاهُ وَخَرَجَ سَرَعَانُ النَّاسِ فَقَالُوا أَقَصُرَتِ الصَّلاَةُ وَرَجُلٌ يَدْعُوهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ذُو الْيَدَيْنِ فَقَالَ أَنَسِيتَ أَمْ قَصُرَتْ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ لَمْ أَنْسَ وَلَمْ تُقْصَرْ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ بَلَى قَدْ نَسِيتَ‏.‏ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ ثُمَّ كَبَّرَ فَسَجَدَ مِثْلَ سُجُودِهِ أَوْ أَطْوَلَ، ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَكَبَّرَ، ثُمَّ وَضَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَكَبَّرَ فَسَجَدَ مِثْلَ سُجُودِهِ أَوْ أَطْوَلَ، ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ وَكَبَّرَ‏.‏
The Prophet (ﷺ) offered one of the evening prayers and he finished it after offering two rak`at only. He then stood near a piece of wood in front of the Mosque and put his hand over it. Abu Bakr and `Umar were amongst those present, but they dared not talk to him. Then Dhul-Yadain said, "Has the prayer been reduced or have you forgotten?" The Prophet (ﷺ) completed the prayer, then said Takbir and performed two prostrations of sahw.

How to Apply This in Life

The religion teaches precision without harshness. Learn the sunnah wording and actions so corrections in prayer stay proper and calm.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1229
In-book reference :
Book 22, Hadith 7
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 321
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1230

Takbir in Each Prostration of Sahw Before Taslim

Narrated by Abdullah bin Buhaina Al-Asdi

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ابْنِ بُحَيْنَةَ الأَسْدِيِّ، حَلِيفِ بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَامَ فِي صَلاَةِ الظُّهْرِ وَعَلَيْهِ جُلُوسٌ، فَلَمَّا أَتَمَّ صَلاَتَهُ سَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ فَكَبَّرَ فِي كُلِّ سَجْدَةٍ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَ، وَسَجَدَهُمَا النَّاسُ مَعَهُ مَكَانَ مَا نَسِيَ مِنَ الْجُلُوسِ‏.‏ تَابَعَهُ ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ فِي التَّكْبِيرِ‏.‏
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) stood up for the Zuhr prayer and he should have sat, and when he finished the prayer he performed two prostrations and said Takbir on each prostration while sitting, before ending the prayer with Taslim; and the people too performed the two prostrations with him instead of the sitting he forgot.

How to Apply This in Life

This hadith trains a believer to repair mistakes properly rather than pretending they never happened. Correct, complete, and move on.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1230
In-book reference :
Book 22, Hadith 8
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 322
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1231

When a Person Forgets Whether He Has Offered Three or Four Rakat

Narrated by Abu Huraira

حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ فَضَالَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الدَّسْتَوَائِيُّ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ إِذَا نُودِيَ بِالصَّلاَةِ أَدْبَرَ الشَّيْطَانُ وَلَهُ ضُرَاطٌ حَتَّى لاَ يَسْمَعَ الأَذَانَ، فَإِذَا قُضِيَ الأَذَانُ أَقْبَلَ، فَإِذَا ثُوِّبَ بِهَا أَدْبَرَ فَإِذَا قُضِيَ التَّثْوِيبُ أَقْبَلَ حَتَّى يَخْطِرَ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَنَفْسِهِ يَقُولُ اذْكُرْ كَذَا وَكَذَا مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ يَذْكُرُ حَتَّى يَظَلَّ الرَّجُلُ إِنْ يَدْرِي كَمْ صَلَّى، فَإِذَا لَمْ يَدْرِ أَحَدُكُمْ كَمْ صَلَّى ثَلاَثًا أَوْ أَرْبَعًا فَلْيَسْجُدْ سَجْدَتَيْنِ وَهْوَ جَالِسٌ ‏"‏‏.‏
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "When the call for prayer is made, Satan takes to his heels so that he may not hear the Adhan. Then he comes back and tries to interfere with the person and his thoughts till the praying person forgets how much he has prayed. If anyone of you does not remember whether he has offered three or four rak`at then he should perform two prostrations of Sahu while sitting."

How to Apply This in Life

When waswasah enters prayer, do not surrender to chaos. Use the Prophetic correction and keep your heart anchored instead of overthinking every doubt.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1231
In-book reference :
Book 22, Hadith 9
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 323
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1232

Sahw in Compulsory Prayer and Nawafil

Narrated by Abu Huraira

Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما performed two prostrations of Sahw after the Witr prayer.
وَسَجَدَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا سَجْدَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ وِتْرِهِ. حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا قَامَ يُصَلِّي جَاءَ الشَّيْطَانُ فَلَبَسَ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى لاَ يَدْرِيَ كَمْ صَلَّى، فَإِذَا وَجَدَ ذَلِكَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَسْجُدْ سَجْدَتَيْنِ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ ‏"‏‏.‏
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "When anyone of you stands for the prayers, Satan comes and puts him in doubts till he forgets how many rak`at he has prayed. So if this happens to anyone of you, he should perform two prostrations of Sahu while sitting."

How to Apply This in Life

Forgetfulness can happen in both obligatory and voluntary prayer. The lesson is to treat worship seriously without making it fragile.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1232
In-book reference :
Book 22, Hadith 10
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 324
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1233

If a Person Speaks to a Person Offering Prayer

Narrated by Kuraib

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرٌو، عَنْ بُكَيْرٍ، عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ، أَنَّ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، وَالْمِسْوَرَ بْنَ مَخْرَمَةَ، وَعَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ أَزْهَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهم ـ أَرْسَلُوهُ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ فَقَالُوا اقْرَأْ عَلَيْهَا السَّلاَمَ مِنَّا جَمِيعًا وَسَلْهَا عَنِ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ صَلاَةِ الْعَصْرِ وَقُلْ لَهَا إِنَّا أُخْبِرْنَا أَنَّكِ تُصَلِّينَهُمَا وَقَدْ بَلَغَنَا أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَهَى عَنْهَا‏.‏ وَقَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ وَكُنْتُ أَضْرِبُ النَّاسَ مَعَ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ عَنْهُمَا‏.‏ فَقَالَ كُرَيْبٌ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ فَبَلَّغْتُهَا مَا أَرْسَلُونِي‏.‏ فَقَالَتْ سَلْ أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ‏.‏ فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَيْهِمْ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُمْ بِقَوْلِهَا فَرَدُّونِي إِلَى أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ بِمِثْلِ مَا أَرْسَلُونِي بِهِ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ‏.‏ فَقَالَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَنْهَى عَنْهَا ثُمَّ رَأَيْتُهُ يُصَلِّيهِمَا حِينَ صَلَّى الْعَصْرَ، ثُمَّ دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ وَعِنْدِي نِسْوَةٌ مِنْ بَنِي حَرَامٍ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَأَرْسَلْتُ إِلَيْهِ الْجَارِيَةَ فَقُلْتُ قُومِي بِجَنْبِهِ قُولِي لَهُ تَقُولُ لَكَ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ سَمِعْتُكَ تَنْهَى عَنْ هَاتَيْنِ وَأَرَاكَ تُصَلِّيهِمَا‏.‏ فَإِنْ أَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ فَاسْتَأْخِرِي عَنْهُ‏.‏ فَفَعَلَتِ الْجَارِيَةُ فَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ فَاسْتَأْخَرَتْ عَنْهُ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ ‏"‏ يَا بِنْتَ أَبِي أُمَيَّةَ سَأَلْتِ عَنِ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ وَإِنَّهُ أَتَانِي نَاسٌ مِنْ عَبْدِ الْقَيْسِ فَشَغَلُونِي عَنِ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ اللَّتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الظُّهْرِ فَهُمَا هَاتَانِ ‏"‏‏.‏
I was sent to Aisha by Ibn `Abbas, Al-Miswar bin Makhrama and `Abdur-Rahman bin Azhar to ask her about the two rak`at after the `Asr prayer. Aisha directed them to Um Salama. Um Salama replied that she had heard the Prophet (ﷺ) forbidding them, but later saw him offering them after `Asr because he had been occupied and had missed the two rak`at after Zuhr. He signaled with his hand during the prayer and explained it after finishing.

How to Apply This in Life

This teaches restraint and adab in prayer. Sometimes a signal is enough, and explanations can wait until the prayer is complete.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1233
In-book reference :
Book 22, Hadith 11
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 325
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1234

Beckoning During the Prayer

Narrated by Sahl bin Sad As-Saidi

Kuraib said: Umm Salama said as above on the authority of the Prophet ﷺ.
قَالَهُ كُرَيْبٌ عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ السَّاعِدِيِّ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَلَغَهُ أَنَّ بَنِي عَمْرِو بْنِ عَوْفٍ كَانَ بَيْنَهُمْ شَىْءٌ فَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصْلِحُ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي أُنَاسٍ مَعَهُ، فَحُبِسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَحَانَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَجَاءَ بِلاَلٌ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدْ حُبِسَ وَقَدْ حَانَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَهَلْ لَكَ أَنْ تَؤُمَّ النَّاسَ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِنْ شِئْتَ‏.‏ فَأَقَامَ بِلاَلٌ وَتَقَدَّمَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ فَكَبَّرَ لِلنَّاسِ وَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَمْشِي فِي الصُّفُوفِ حَتَّى قَامَ فِي الصَّفِّ، فَأَخَذَ النَّاسُ فِي التَّصْفِيقِ، وَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ لاَ يَلْتَفِتُ فِي صَلاَتِهِ، فَلَمَّا أَكْثَرَ النَّاسُ الْتَفَتَ فَإِذَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَأْمُرُهُ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ، فَرَفَعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَدَيْهِ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَرَجَعَ الْقَهْقَرَى وَرَاءَهُ حَتَّى قَامَ فِي الصَّفِّ، فَتَقَدَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَصَلَّى لِلنَّاسِ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى النَّاسِ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ مَا لَكُمْ حِينَ نَابَكُمْ شَىْءٌ فِي الصَّلاَةِ أَخَذْتُمْ فِي التَّصْفِيقِ، إِنَّمَا التَّصْفِيقُ لِلنِّسَاءِ، مَنْ نَابَهُ شَىْءٌ فِي صَلاَتِهِ فَلْيَقُلْ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ‏.‏ فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَسْمَعُهُ أَحَدٌ حِينَ يَقُولُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ إِلاَّ الْتَفَتَ، يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ لِلنَّاسِ حِينَ أَشَرْتُ إِلَيْكَ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ مَا كَانَ يَنْبَغِي لاِبْنِ أَبِي قُحَافَةَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏
The news about the differences amongst the people of Bani `Amr bin `Auf reached Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), and so he went to them to effect reconciliation. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was delayed, so Abu Bakr led the people. Later the Prophet (ﷺ) arrived, signaled Abu Bakr, and after prayer explained that clapping is for women and that men should say “Subhan-Allah” when something unusual happens in prayer.

How to Apply This in Life

Prayer has manners even in unusual moments. Respond in the Prophetic way, without noise, confusion, or breaking the dignity of salah.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1234
In-book reference :
Book 22, Hadith 12
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 326
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1235

A Gesture During Prayer to Indicate a Sign

Narrated by Asma

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الثَّوْرِيُّ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ فَاطِمَةَ، عَنْ أَسْمَاءَ، قَالَتْ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ وَهِيَ تُصَلِّي قَائِمَةً وَالنَّاسُ قِيَامٌ فَقُلْتُ مَا شَأْنُ النَّاسِ فَأَشَارَتْ بِرَأْسِهَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ آيَةٌ‏.‏ فَقَالَتْ بِرَأْسِهَا أَىْ نَعَمْ‏.‏
I went to `Aisha and she was standing praying and the people, too, were standing. So I said, "What is the matter with the people?" She beckoned with her head towards the sky. I said, "A sign?" She nodded intending to say, "Yes."

How to Apply This in Life

A brief necessary gesture can be enough. This shows that prayer is not broken by every tiny movement when there is a real need.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1235
In-book reference :
Book 22, Hadith 13
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 327
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1236

The Imam Is to Be Followed

Narrated by Aisha the wife of the Prophet

حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي بَيْتِهِ وَهُوَ شَاكٍ جَالِسًا، وَصَلَّى وَرَاءَهُ قَوْمٌ قِيَامًا فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِمْ أَنِ اجْلِسُوا فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ، فَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا رَفَعَ فَارْفَعُوا ‏"‏‏.‏
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) during his illness prayed in his house sitting, whereas some people followed him standing, but the Prophet (ﷺ) beckoned them to sit down. On completion of the prayer he said, "The Imam is to be followed. So, bow when he bows, and raise your head when he raises his head."

How to Apply This in Life

One of the beauties of congregational prayer is disciplined following. Leave ego aside and align yourself with the imam in order and humility.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1236
In-book reference :
Book 22, Hadith 14
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 328
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)