Hadees on Prayer-Actions

Hadees on Prayer-Actions Sahih Bukhari Hadith

1. Taking help of the hand while praying
Hadith 2.289 Narrated by Kuraib Maula Ibn Abbas
'Abdullah bin Abbas said that he had passed a night in the house of Maimuna the mother of the faithful believers , who was his aunt. He said, "I slept across the bed, and Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) along with his wife slept lengthwise. Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) slept till midnight or slightly before or after it. Then Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) woke up, sat, and removed the traces of sleep by rubbing his hands over his face. Then he recited the last ten verses of Surat-Al Imran (2). Then he went towards a hanging leather water-container and performed a perfect ablution and then stood up for prayer." 'Abdullah bin Abbas added, "I got up and did the same as Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) had done and then went and stood by his side. Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) then put his right hand over my head and caught my right ear and twisted it. He offered two Rakat, then two Rakat, then two Rakat, then two Rakat, then two Rakat, then two Rakat and then offered one Raka Witr. Then he lay down till the Mu'adhdhin came and then he prayed two light Rakat and went out and offered the early morning (Fajr) prayer."

2. What speech is prohibited during prayer
Hadith 2.290 Narrated by Abdullah
We used to greet the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) while he was praying and he used to answer our greetings. When we returned from An-Najashi (the ruler of Ethiopia), we greeted him, but he did not answer us (during the prayer) and (after finishing the prayer) he said, "In the prayer one is occupied (with a more serious matter)."

Hadith 2.291 Narrated by Abdullah
The same as No. 290 from the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam).
Hadith 2.292 Narrated by Zaid bin Arqam
In the lifetime of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) we used to speak while praying, and one of us would tell his needs to his companions, till the verse, 'Guard strictly your prayers '(2.238) was revealed. After that we were ordered to remain silent while praying.
QU’RAN: 2.238 Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers especially the middle prayer and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).

3. Saying "Subhan-Allah" and "Al-Hamdulillah"
Hadith 2.293 Narrated by Sahl bin Sad
The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) went out to affect a reconciliation between the tribes of Bani 'Amr bin 'Auf and the time of the prayer became due; Bilal went to Abu Bakr and said, "The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) is detained. Will you lead the people in the prayer?" Abu Bakr replied, "Yes, if you wish." So Bilal pronounced the Iqama and Abu Bakr led the prayer. In the meantime the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) came crossing the rows (of the praying people) till he stood in the first row and the people started clapping. Abu Bakr never looked hither and thither during the prayer but when the people clapped too much, he looked back and saw the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) in the (first) row. The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) waved him to remain at his place, but Abu Bakr raised both his hands and sent praises to Allah and then retreated and the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) went forward and led the prayer. (See Hadith No. 295 & 296)

4. Greeting during prayer
Hadith 2.294 Narrated by Abdullah bin Masud
We used to say the greeting, name and greet each other in the prayer. Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) heard it and said: "Say, 'At-tahiyyatu lil-lahi was-salawatu wat-taiyibatu . Assalamu 'Alaika aiyuha-n-Nabiyu wa-rahmatu-l-lahi wa-barakatuhu. _ Assalamu alaina wa-'ala 'ibadi-l-lahi as-salihin. Ashhadu an la ilaha illa-l-lah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abdu hu wa Rasuluh.' (All the compliments are for Allah and all the prayers and all the good things (are for Allah). Peace be on you, O Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam), and Allah's mercy and blessings (are on you). And peace be on us and on the good (pious) worshipers of Allah. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) is His slave and Apostle.) So, when you have said this, then you have surely sent the greetings to every good (pious) worshipper of Allah, whether he be in the Heaven or on the Earth. "
5. Clapping during prayer
Hadith 2.295 Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "The saying 'Sub Han Allah' is for men and clapping is for women." (If something happens in the prayer, the men can invite the attention of the Imam by saying "Sub Han Allah". And women, by clapping their hands).

Hadith 2.296 Narrated by Sahl bin Sad
The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "The saying 'Sub Han Allah' is for men and clapping is for women.

6. Going forwards or backwards during prayer
Hadith 2.297A Narrated by Anas bin Malik
While Abu Bakr was leading the people in the morning prayer on a Monday, the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) came towards them suddenly having lifted the curtain of 'Aisha's house, and looked at them as they were standing in rows and smiled. Abu Bakr tried to come back thinking that Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) wanted to come out for the prayer. The attention of the Muslims was diverted from the prayer because they were delighted to see the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam). The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) waved his hand to them to complete their prayer, then he went back into the room and let down the curtain. The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) expired on that very day.

7. Mother calling son while he is offering prayer
Hadith 2.297B Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "A woman called her son while he was in his hermitage and said, 'O Juraij!' He said, 'O Allah, my mother (is calling me) and (I am offering) my prayer (what shall I do)?' She again said, 'O Juraij!' He said again, 'O Allah ! My mother (is calling me) and (I am offering) my prayer (what shall I do)?' She again said, 'O Juraij.!' He again said, 'O Allah! My mother (is calling me) and (I am offering) my prayer. (What shall I do?)' She said, 'O Allah! Do not let Juraij die till he sees the faces of prostitutes.' A shepherdess used to come by his hermitage for grazing her sheep and she gave birth to a child. She was asked whose child that was, and she replied that it was from Juraij and that he had come out from his hermitage. Juraij said, 'Where is that woman who claims that her child is from me?' (When she was brought to him along with the child), Juraij asked the child, 'O Babus, who is your father?' The child replied, 'The shepherd.' " (See Hadith No 662. Vol 3).
Hadith 3.662 Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "There was an Israeli man called Juraij, while he was praying, his mother came and called him, but he did not respond to her call. He said (to himself) whether he should continue the prayer or reply to his mother. She came to him the second time and called him and said, 'O Allah! Do not let him die until he sees the faces of prostitutes.' Juraij used to live in a hermitage. A woman said that she would entice Juraij, so she went to him and presented herself (for an evil act) but he refused. She then went to a shepherd and allowed him to commit an illegal sexual intercourse with her and later she gave birth to a boy. She alleged that the baby was from Juraij. The people went to Juraij and broke down his hermitage, pulled him out of it and abused him. He performed ablution and offered the prayer, then he went to the male (baby) and asked him; 'O boy! Who is your father?' The baby replied that his father was the shepherd. The people said that they would build for him a hermitage of gold but Juraij asked them to make it of mud only."

8. Leveling place of Sajda during prayer
Hadith 2.298 Narrated by Muaiqib
The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) talked about a man leveling the earth on prostrating, and said, "If you have to do so, then do it once."

9. Spreading clothes on prostration site during prayer
Hadith 2.299 Narrated by Anas bin Malik
We used to pray with the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) in scorching heat, and if someone of us could not put his face on the earth (because of the heat) then he would spread his clothes and prostrate over them.
10. Permitted actions during prayer
Hadith 2.300 Narrated by Aisha
I used to stretch my legs towards the Qibla of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) while he was praying; whenever he prostrated he touched me, and I would withdraw my legs, and whenever he stood up, I would restretch my legs.

Hadith 2.301 Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) once offered the prayer and said, "Satan came in front of me and tried to interrupt my prayer, but Allah gave me an upper hand on him and I choked him. No doubt, I thought of tying him to one of the pillars of the mosque till you get up in the morning and see him. Then I remembered the statement of Prophet Solomon, 'My Lord! Bestow on me a kingdom such as shall not belong to any other after me.' Then Allah made him (Satan) return with his head down (humiliated)."

11. If an animal runs away during prayer
Hadith 2.302 Narrated by Al Azraq bin Qais
We were at Al-Ahwaz fighting the Al-Haruriya (tribe). While I was at the bank of a river a man was praying and the reins of his animal were in his hands and the animal was struggling and he was following the animal. (Shu'ba, a sub-narrator, said that man was Abu Barza Al-Aslami). A man from the Khawarij said, "O Allah! Be harsh to this sheik." And when the sheik (Abu Barza) finished his prayer, he said, "I heard your remark. No doubt, I participated with Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) in six or seven or eight holy battles and saw his leniency, and no doubt, I would rather retain my animal than let it return to its stable, as it would cause me much trouble. "

Hadith 2.303 Narrated by Aisha
Once the sun eclipsed and Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) stood up for the prayer and recited a very long Sura and when bowed for a long while and then raised his head and started reciting another Sura. Then he bowed, and after finishing, he prostrated and did the same in the second Raka and then said, "These (lunar and solar eclipses) are two of the signs of Allah and if you see them, pray till the eclipse is over. No doubt, while standing at this place I saw everything promised to me by Allah and I saw (Paradise) and I wanted to pluck a bunch (of grapes) therefrom, at the time when you saw me stepping forward. No doubt, I saw Hell with its different parts destroying each other when you saw me retreating and in it I saw 'Amr bin Luhai who started the tradition of freeing animals (set them free) in the name of idols."

12. Blowing and spitting while in prayer
Hadith 2.304 Narrated by Ibn Umar
The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) saw some sputum on the wall facing the Qibla of the mosque and became furious with the people of the mosque and said, "During the prayer, Allah is in front of everyone of you and so he should not spit (or said, 'He should not expectorate')." Then he got down and scratched the sputum with his hand. Ibn 'Umar said (after narrating), "If anyone of you has to spit during the prayer, he should spit to his left."
Hadith 2.305 Narrated by Anas
The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "Whenever anyone of you is in prayer, he is speaking in private to his Lord and so he should neither spit in front of him nor on his right side but to his left side under his left foot."

13. Praying person requested to step forward etc.
Hadith 2.306 Narrated by Sahl bin Sad
The people used to offer the prayer with the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) with their waist-sheets tied round their necks because of the shortness of the sheets and the women were ordered not to lift their heads till the men had sat straight.

14. Returning greeting while in prayer
Hadith 2.307 Narrated by Abdullah
I used to greet the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) while he was in prayer and he would return my greeting, but when we returned (from Ethiopia) I greeted the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) (while he was praying) but he did not return the greeting, and (after finishing the prayer) he said, "In the prayer one is occupied (with a more serious matter)."

Hadith 2.308 Narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) sent me for some job and when I had finished it I returned and came to the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and greeted him but he did not return my greeting. So I felt so sorry that only Allah knows it and I said to myself,, 'Perhaps Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) is angry because I did not come quickly, then again I greeted him but he did not reply. I felt even more sorry than I did the first time. Again I greeted him and he returned the greeting and said, "The thing which prevented me from returning the greeting was that I was praying." And at that time he was on his Rahila and his face was not towards the Qibla.

15. Raising hands while in prayer
Hadith 2.309 Narrated by Sahl bin Sad
The news about the differences amongst the people of Bani 'Amr bin 'Auf at Quba reached Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and so he went to them along with some of his companions to affect a reconciliation. Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was delayed there and the time for the prayer became due. Bilal came to Abu Bakr! and said, "O Abu Bakr! Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) is detained (there) and the time for the prayer is due. Will you lead the people in prayer?" Abu Bakr replied, "Yes, if you wish." So Bilal pronounced the Iqama and Abu Bakr went forward and the people said Takbir. In the meantime, Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) came piercing through the rows till he stood in the (first) row and the people started clapping. Abu Bakr would never look hither and thither during the prayer but when the people clapped much he looked back and saw Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam). The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) beckoned him to carry on. Abu Bakr raised both his hands, praised Allah and retreated till he stood in the row and Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) went forward and led the people in the prayer. When he had finished the prayer, he addressed the people and said, "O people! Why did you start clapping when something happened to you in the prayer? Clapping is for women. Whenever one is confronted with something unusual in the prayer one should say, 'Sub Han Allah'." Then the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) looked towards Abu Bakr and asked, "What prevented you from leading the prayer when I beckoned you to carry on?" Abu Bakr replied, "It does not befit the son of Al Quhafa to lead the prayer in the presence of Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam).”

16. Hands on hips while praying
Hadith 2.310 Narrated by Abu Huraira
It was forbidden to keep the hands on the hips during the prayer. (This is narrated by Abu Huraira from the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam).)
Hadith 2.311 Narrated by Abu Huraira
It was forbidden to pray with the hands over one's hips.

17. Thinking of something while praying
Hadith 2.312 Narrated by Uqba bin Al Harith
I offered the 'Asr prayer with the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and after finishing the prayer with Taslim he got up quickly and went to some of his wives and then came out. He noticed the signs of astonishment on the faces of the people caused by his speed. He then said, "I remembered while I was in my prayer that a piece of gold was lying in my house and I disliked that it should remain with us throughout the night, and so I have ordered it to be distributed."
Hadith 2.313 Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "When the Adhan for the prayer is pronounced, then Satan takes to his heels passing wind so that he may not hear the Adhan and when the Mu'adhdhin finishes, he comes back; and when the Iqama is pronounced he again takes to his heels and when it is finished, he again comes back and continues reminding the praying person of things that he used not to remember when not in prayer till he forgets how much he has prayed." Abu Salama bin 'Abdur-Rahman said, "If anyone of you has such a thing (forgetting the number of Rakat he has prayed) he should perform two prostrations of Sahu (i.e. forgetfulness) while sitting." Abu Salama narrates this from Abu Huraira.
Hadith 2.314 Narrated by Abu Huraira
People say that I narrate too many narrations of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam); once I met a man (during the lifetime of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)) and asked him, "Which Sura did Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) ecite yesterday in the 'Isha' prayer?" He said, "I do not know." I said, "Did you not attend the prayer?" He said, "Yes, (I did)." I said, "I know. He recited such and such Sura."

18. The 'Sahu' forgetfulness
Hadith 2.315 Narrated by Abdullah bin Buhaina
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) once led us in a prayer and offered two Rakat and got up (for the third Raka) without sitting (after the second Raka). 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.

Hadith 2.316 Narrated by Abdullah bin Buhaina
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) got up after the second Raka of the Zuhr prayer without sitting in between (the second and the third Rakat). When he finished the prayer he performed two prostrations (of Sahu) and then finished the prayer with Taslim.

19. Offering five Rakat instead of four
Hadith 2.317 Narrated by Abdullah
Once Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) offered five Rakat in the Zuhr prayer, and somebody asked him whether there was some increase in the prayer. Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "What is that?" He said, "You have offered five Rakat." So Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) performed two prostrations of Sahu after Taslim.

20. Prostrations after a mistake
Hadith 2.318 Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) led us in the 'Asr or the Zuhr prayer and finished it with Taslim. Dhul-Yadain said to him, "O Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)! Has the prayer been reduced?" The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) asked his companions in the affirmative. So Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) offered two more Rakat and then performed two prostrations (of Sahu). Sad said, "I saw that 'Ursa bin Az-Zubair had offered two Rakat in the Maghrib prayer and finished it with Taslim. He then talked (and when he was informed about it) he completed the rest of his prayer and performed two prostrations, and said, 'The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) prayed like this.' "

21. Not reciting At-Tahiyyat after two prostrations
Hadith 2.319 Narrated by Abu Huraira
Once Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) offered two Rakat and finished his prayer. So Dhul-Yadain asked him, "Has the prayer been reduced or have you forgotten?" Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "Has Dhul-Yadain spoken the truth?" The people replied in the affirmative. Then Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) stood up and offered the remaining two Rakat and performed Taslim, and then said Takbir and performed two prostrations like his usual prostrations, or a bit longer, and then got up.
Hadith 2.320 Narrated by Salama bin Alqama
I asked Muhammad (bin Sirin) whether Tashah-hud should be recited after the two prostrations of Sahu. He replied, "It is not (mentioned) in Abu Huraira's narration."

22. Takbir in prostrations of Sahu forgetfulness
Hadith 2.321 Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) offered one of the evening prayers (the sub-narrator Muhammad said, "I think that it was most probably the 'Asr prayer") and he finished it after offering two Rakat 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 who were present, but they dared not talk to him about that (because of excessive respect for him), and those who were in a hurry went out. They said, "Has the prayer been reduced?" A man who was called Dhul-Yadain by the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said (to the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)), "Has the prayer been reduced or have you forgotten?" He said, "Neither have I forgotten, nor has the prayer been reduced." He said, "Certainly you have forgotten." So the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) offered two more Rakat and performed Taslim and then said Takbir and performed a prostration of Sahu like his ordinary prostration or a bit longer and then raised his head and said Takbir and then put his head down and performed a prostration like his ordinary prostration or a bit longer, and then raised his head and said Takbir.

Hadith 2.322 Narrated by Abdullah bin Buhaina Al Asdi
(the ally of Bani 'Abdul Muttalib) Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) stood up for the Zuhr prayer and he should have sat (after the second Raka but he stood up for the third Raka without sitting for Tashah-hud) 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.

23. Prostrations after forgetfulness
Hadith 2.323 Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "When the call for prayer is made, Satan takes to his heels passing wind so that he may not hear the Adhan and when the call is finished he comes back, and when the Iqama is pronounced, Satan again takes to his heels, and when the Iqama is finished he comes back again and tries to interfere with the person and his thoughts and say, "Remember this and that (which he has not thought of before the prayer)", till the praying person forgets how much he has prayed. If anyone of you does not remember whether he has offered three or four Rakat then he should perform two prostrations of Sahu while sitting.

24. Sahu in compulsory prayers and Nawafils
Hadith 2.324 Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "When anyone of you stands for the prayers, Satan comes and puts him in doubts till he forgets how many Rakat he has prayed. So if this happens to anyone of you, he should perform two prostrations of Sahu while sitting. "

25. Hand beckoning while in prayer
Hadith 2.325 Narrated by Kuraib
I was sent to 'Aisha by Ibn Abbas, Al-Miswar bin Makhrama and 'Abdur-Rahman bin Azhar . They told me to greet her on their behalf and to ask her about the offering of the two Rakat after the 'Asr prayer and to say to her, "We were informed that you offer those two Rakat and we were told that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) had forbidden offering them." Ibn Abbas said, "I along with 'Umar bin Al-Khattab used to beat the people whenever they offered them." I went to 'Aisha and told her that message. 'Aisha said, "Go and ask Um Salama about them." So I returned and informed them about her statement. They then told me to go to Um Salama with the same question with which t sent me to 'Aisha. Um Salama replied, "I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) forbidding them. Later I saw him offering them immediately after he prayed the 'Asr prayer. He then entered my house at a time when some of the Ansari women from the tribe of Bani Haram were sitting with me, so I sent my slave girl to him having said to her, 'Stand beside him and tell him that Um Salama says to you, "O Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)! I have heard you forbidding the offering of these (two Rakat after the 'Asr prayer) but I have seen you offering them." If he waves his hand then wait for him.' The slave girl did that. The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) beckoned her with his hand and she waited for him. When he had finished the prayer he said, "O daughter of Bani Umaiya! You have asked me about the two Rakat after the 'Asr prayer. The people of the tribe of 'Abdul-Qais came to me and made me busy and I could not offer the two Rakat after the Zuhr prayer. These (two Rakat that I have just prayed) are for those (missed) ones. " ' "

26. Beckoning while in prayer

Hadith 2.326 Narrated by Sahl bin Sad As Saidi
The news about the differences amongst the people of Bani 'Amr bin 'Auf reached Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and so he went to them along with some of his companions to affect a reconciliation between them. Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was delayed there, and the time of the prayer was due. Bilal went to Abu Bakr and said to him, "Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) has been delayed (there) and the time of prayer is due. So will you lead the people in prayer?" Abu Bakr said, "Yes, if you wish." Bilal pronounced the Iqama and Abu Bakr, went forward and said Takbir for the people. In the meantime Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) came crossing the rows (of the praying people) and stood in the (first) row and the people started clapping. Abu Bakr, would never glance sideways in his prayer but when the people clapped much he looked back and (saw) Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) . Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) beckoned him to carry on the prayer. Abu Bakr raised his hands and thanked Allah, and retreated till he reached the (first) row. Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) went forward and led the people in the prayer. When he completed the prayer he faced the people and said, "O people! Why did you start clapping when something unusual happened to you in the prayer? Clapping is only for women. So whoever amongst you comes across something in the prayer should say, 'Subhan-Allah' for there is none who will not turn round on hearing him saying Subhan-Allah. O Abu Bakr! What prevented you from leading the people in the prayer when I beckoned you to do so?" Abu Bakr replied, "How dare the son of Abu Quhafa lead the prayer in the presence of Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)?"

Hadith 2.327 Narrated by Asma
I went to 'Aisha and she was standing praying and the people, too, were standing (praying). So I said, "What is the matter with the people?" She beckoned with her head towards the sky.
I said, "(Is there) a sign?" She nodded intending to say, "Yes."

Hadith 2.328 Narrated by Aisha the wife of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) during his illness prayed in his house sitting, whereas some people followed him standing, but the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) 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." (See Hadith No. 657 Vol 1 for taking the verdict).

Hadith 1.657 Narrated by Anas bin Malik
Once Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) rode a horse and fell down and the right side (of his body) was injured. He offered one of the prayers while sitting and we also prayed behind him sitting. When he completed the prayer, he said, "The Imam is to be followed. Pray standing if he prays standing and bow when he bows; rise when he rises; and if he says, 'Sami a-l-lahu-liman hamida', say then, 'Rabbana wa Lakal-hamd' and pray standing if he prays standing and pray sitting (all of you) if he prays sitting."
Humaid said: The saying of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) "Pray sitting, if he (Imam) prays sitting" was said in his former illness (during his early life) but the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) prayed sitting afterwards (in the last illness) and the people were praying standing behind him and the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) did not order them to sit. We should follow the latest actions of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam).