The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer)

It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sat during the prayer, he put his hands on his knees and raised the finger that is next to the thumb, and supplicates with it, and his left hand was on his knee laid on it.

It was narrated from Abdullah bin Az-Zubair: That the Prophet (ﷺ) used to point with his finger when he supplicated, but he did not move it. Ibn Jurayj said: "And 'Amr added: 'Amir bin 'Abdullah bin Az-Zubair told me that his father saw the Prophet (ﷺ) supplicating like that, putting his weight on his left arm, leaning on his left leg.'"

It was narrated from Malik bin Numair Al-Khuza'I that his father said: "I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) putting his right hand on his right thigh when praying and pointing with his finger."

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that: A man used to supplicate with two fingers and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Make it one, make it one."

It was narrated from Sa'd who said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) passed by m when I was supplicating with my fingers and he said: 'Make it one, make it one' and pointed with his forefinger."

Malik bin Numair Al-Khuza'I, one of the inhabitants of Al-Basrah, narrated that: His father told him that he saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sitting when praying, putting his right forearm on his right thigh and raising his forefinger, which he had bent slightly, and he was supplicating.

It was narrated from 'Amir bin Abdullah bin Az-Zubair, from his father, that: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sat to say the tashahhud, he placed his left hand on his left thigh and pointed with his forefinger, and his gaze did not go beyond he finger with which he was pointing.

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "People should certainly stop lifting their gaze to the sky when they supplicate during the prayer, or they will lose their eyesight."

It was narrated that Ibn Mas'ud said: "Before the tashahhud was enjoined, when we prayed we used to say: 'Peace (As-Salam) be upon Allah (SWT), pace be upon Jibril, peace be upon Mika'il.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Do not say this, for indeed Allah (SWT), the Mighty and Sublime, is As-Salam. Rather say: "At-tahiyyatu lillahi wasalawatu wat-tayibaat, as-salamu 'alaika ayah-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu. As-salamu 'alaina a 'ala ibad illahis-salihin, ashadu an la ilaha ill Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu. (All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.)"

It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to teach us the tashahhud just as he used to teach us a surah from the Quran."

It was narrated that Abdullah said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, is As-Salam the source of peace; the One free from all faults), so when any one of you sits (during the prayer), let him say: At-tahiyyatu lillahi wasalawatu wat-tayibaat, as-salamu 'alaika ayah-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu. As-salamu 'alaina a 'ala ibad illahis-salihin, ashadu an la ilaha ill Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu. (All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.)" Then after that, let him choose whatever words he wants."

It was narrated from Hittan bin 'Abdullah that Al-Ash'ari said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) addressed us and taught us our Sunnahs and our prayer. He said: 'When you stand for the prayer, make your rows straight, then let one of you lead the others. When he says the takbir, then say the takbir; when he says : "Wa lad-dallin" then say "Amin" and Allah (SWT) will answer you. Then when he says the takbir and bows, then say the takbir and bow, for the Imam bows before you and stands up before you.' The Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) said: "This makes up for that. When he says: 'Sami' Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears the one who praises Him),' say: 'Allahumma, Rabbana wa lakal-hamd (O Allah, our Lord, to You be praise),' Allah will hear you, for indeed Allah (SWT), the Mighty and Sublime, has said on the tongue of His Prophet: "Allah hears the one who praises Him." Then when he says the takbir and prostrates, say the takbir and prostrate, for the Imam prostrates before you and rises before you.' The Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'This makes up for that. Then when you are sitting, let the following be among what one of you says: At-tahiyyatu lillahi wasalawatu wat-tayibaat, as-salamu 'alaika ayah-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu. As-salamu 'alaina a 'ala ibad illahis-salihin, ashadu an la ilaha ill Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu. (All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.)"

It was narrated that Jabir said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to teach us the tashahhud just as he would teach us a surah of the Quran: 'Bismillah, wa billahi. At-tahiyyatu lillahi wasalawatu wat-tayibaat, as-salamu 'alaika ayah-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu. As-salamu 'alaina a 'ala ibad illahis-salihin, ashadu an la ilaha ill Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu. As'al Allahal-jannah wa author billahi min an-nar (All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger. I ask Allah for Paradise and I seek refuge with Allah from the Fire.)'"

It was narrated that Abdullah said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Allah (SWT) has angels who travel around on Earth conveying to me the Salams of my Ummah.'"

It was narrated from Abdullah bin Abi Talha, from his father, that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came one day with a cheerful expression on his face, and we said: "We see you looking cheerful". He said: "The Angel came to me and said: 'O Muhammad, your Lord says: 'Will it not please you (to know) that no one will send salah upon you that I will send salah upon him tenfold, and no one will send salams upon you but I will send salams upon him tenfold?'"

Fadalah bin Ubaid said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard a man supplicating during the prayer without glorifying Allah (SWT) nor sending salah upon the Prophet (ﷺ). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'You are in a hurry, O worshipper.' Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught them. And the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard a man praying; he glorified and praised Allah (SWT) and sent salah upon the Prophet (ﷺ). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Supplicate, you will be answered; ask, you will be given.'"

It was narrated that Abu Mas'ud Al-Ansari siad: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to us in the Majlis of Sa'd bin 'Ubadah and Bashir bin Sa'd said to him: 'Allah has commanded us to send Salah upon you, O Messenger of Allah; so how should we send salah upon you?' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) remained silent until we wished that he had not asked him. Then he said: 'Say: 'Alahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallaita 'ala Ibrahima wa barik 'ala Muhammad kama barakta 'ala ali Ibrahim fil-'alamin, innaka hamidun majid (O Allah, send salah upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent salah upon the family of Ibrahim, and send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim among the nations. You are indeed Worthy of praise, Full of glory.)" And the salam is as you know.'"

XIt was narrated that Abu Mas'ud Al-Ansari said: "It was said to the Prophet (ﷺ): We have been commanded to send salah and salams upon you. We know how to send salams, but how should we send salah?' He said: Say: 'Alahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallaita 'ala Ibrahima wa barik 'ala Muhammad kama barakta 'ala ali Ibrahim fil-'alamin, innaka hamidun majid (O Allah, send salah upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent salah upon the family of Ibrahim).'"

It was narrated that Ka'b bin 'Ujrah said: "We said: 'O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), we know about sending salams upon you, but how should we send salah upon you?' He said: "Say: 'Alahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallaita 'ala Ibrahima wa barik 'ala Muhammad kama barakta 'ala ali Ibrahim fil-'alamin, innaka hamidun majid (O Allah, send salah upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent salah upon the family of Ibrahim, and send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim among the nations. You are indeed Worthy of praise, Full of glory.)'" (One of the narrators) Ibn Abi Laila said: "We used to say: 'And also upon us.'" Abu Abdur-Rahman (An-Nasa'I) said: It was narrated from his book, and this is a mistake.

It was narrated that Ka'b bin 'Ujrah said: 'We said: "O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), we know about sending salams upon you, but how should we send salah upon you?" He said: 'Say: Alahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallaita 'ala Ibrahima wa barik 'ala Muhammad kama barakta 'ala ali Ibrahim fil-'alamin, innaka hamidun majid (O Allah, send salah upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent salah upon the family of Ibrahim, and send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim among the nations. You are indeed Worthy of praise, Full of glory.)'" (One of the narrators) 'abdur Rahman said: "We used to say: 'And also upon us.'" Abu Abdur-rahman (An Nasa'i) said: This is more worthy of being correct than the one that is before it. And we do not know of anyone who said "Amr bin Murrah" in it other than in this case. And Allah (SWT) knows best.

It was narrated that Ibn Abi Laila said: "Ka'b bin Ujrah said to me: 'Shall I not give you a gift?' We said: "O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), we know about sending salams upon you, but how should we send salah upon you?" He said: 'Say: Alahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallaita 'ala Ibrahima wa barik 'ala Muhammad kama barakta 'ala ali Ibrahim fil-'alamin, innaka hamidun majid (O Allah, send salah upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent salah upon the family of Ibrahim, and send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim among the nations. You are indeed Worthy of praise, Full of glory.)'"

It was narrated from Musa bin Talha that: His father said: "We said: 'O Messenger of Allah, how should we send salah upon you?' He said: 'Say: Alahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallaita 'ala Ibrahima wa barik 'ala Muhammad kama barakta 'ala ali Ibrahim fil-'alamin, innaka hamidun majid (O Allah, send salah upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent salah upon the family of Ibrahim, and send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim among the nations. You are indeed Worthy of praise, Full of glory.)'"

It was narrated from Musa bin Talha, from his father, that: A man came to the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) and said: "How should we send blessings upon you, O Prophet of Allah?' He said: 'Say: Alahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallaita 'ala Ibrahima wa barik 'ala Muhammad kama barakta 'ala ali Ibrahim fil-'alamin, innaka hamidun majid (O Allah, send salah upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent salah upon the family of Ibrahim, and send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim among the nations. You are indeed Worthy of praise, Full of glory.)'"

It was narrated that Musa bin Talha said: "I asked Zaid bin Kharijah who said: 'I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he said: Send salah upon me and strive hard in supplication, and say: Alahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad (O Allah, send salah upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad).'"

It was narrated that abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri said: "We said: 'O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), we know how to send salams upon you, but how should we send salah upon you?' He said: 'Say: "Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin 'abdika wa rasulika kama salaita 'ala Ibrahim wa barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin kama barakta 'ala Ibrahim (O Allah, send salah upon Muhammad, Your slave and Messenger , as You sent Salah upon Ibrahim, and send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim)."

It was narrated that 'Amr bin Sulam Az-Zuraqi said: "Abu Humaid As-Sa'idi told me that they said: 'O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), how should we send salah upon you?' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Say: Allahumma sali 'ala Muhammadin wa azwajihi wa dhuriyatihi ( O Allah, send salah upon Muhamad and his wives and progeny)- in the narration of Al-Harith (one of the two who narrated it)-kama salaita 'ala Ibraim wa barik 'alaMuhammad wa azwajihi wa dhuriyatti (as You sent salah upon Irahim and send blessings upon Muhammad and his wives and progeny)- both of them said that- kama barakta 'ala ali Ibrahima innaka hamidun majid (as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim, You are indeed worthy of praise, Full of glory.)" Abu Abdur-Rahman (An-Nasa'i) said: Qutaibah informed us of this hadith two times, and perhaps he had missed a part of it.

It was narrated from Abdullah bin Abi Talhah, from his father, that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came one day with a joyful expression on his face. He said: "Jibril came to me and said: 'Will it not please you, O Muhammad, (to know) that no one of your Ummah will send salah upon you but I will send salah upon him tenfold, and no one will send salams upon you but I will send salams upon him tenfold?"

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Whoever sends salah upon me once, Allah (SWT) will send salah upon him tenfold."

Anas bin Malik said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever sends salah upon me once, Allah (SWT) will send salah upon him tenfold, and will erase ten sins from him, and will raise him ten degrees in status."

It was narrated that 'Abdullah said: "When we sat during the prayer with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), we used to say: 'Peace (salam) be upon Allah(SWT), peace be upon so-and-so and so-and-so.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Do not say peace (salam) be upon Allah (SWT), for Allah (SWT) is As-Salam (the Source of peace; the One free from all faults). Rather say: At-tahiyyatu lillahi wasalawatu wat-tayibaat, as-salamu 'alaika ayah-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu. As-salamu 'alaina a 'ala ibad illahis-salihin (All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah.) If you say that, it will be for every righteous slave in the heavens and on earth, "ashadu an la ilaha ill Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu (I bear witness that that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.) Then let him choose any supplication that he likes to say after that.'"