The Book of Prayer

Narrated Khalid bin Ma'dan (RA):

Surat al-Hajj has been distinguished by two prostrations. [Abu Dawud reported it among al-Marasil (a broken chain after the Tabi'i)].

Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi reported the above Hadith through a full chain of narrators from 'Uqba bin 'Aamir. It has the addition:

"If anyone does not make two prostrations (when reciting Surat Al-Hajj), he should not recite it." [The chain of this Haditb is Da'if (weak)].

Narrated 'Umar (RA):

He said, "O people! We pass (in our recitation) verses to be prostrated at, so whoever prostrates has done the right thing, and there is no sin upon the one who does not prostrate." [al-Bukhari reported it]. It also contains the words: 'Allah the Most High has not made the prostration (of recitation) compulsory, unless one wishes (to do so).' [This Hadith is in the Muwatta' of Imam Malik).

Narrated Ibn 'Umar (RA):

The Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite the Qur'an to us, and when he came to a place where a prostration should be made, he uttered the Takbir and prostrated and we prostrated with him. [Reported by Abu Dawud through a chain containing some weakness].

Narrated Abu Bakra (RA):

Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) received a matter which pleased him he used to prostrate to Allah [out of thankfulness]. [Reported by al-Khamsa except an-Nasa'i].

Narrated 'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Auf (RA):

The Prophet (ﷺ) prostrated and prolonged the Sajda, he then raised his head and said, "Jibrael (Gabriel) had come and given me glad tidings, thereafter I prostrated in gratitude to Allah." [Ahmad reported it and al-Hakim graded it Sahih (authentic)].

Narrated Al-Bara' bin 'Azib (RA):

The Prophet (ﷺ) sent 'Ali to Yemen. The narrator mentioned the complete Hadith. He said, "Ali sent a letter regarding their (the people of Yemen) acceptance of Islam. When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) read the letter, he prostrated in gratitude to Allah the Most High for that." [Reported by al-Baihaqi].

And its basic meaning is found in Sahih al-Bukhari.

Narrated Rabi'ah bin Ka'b al-Aslami (RA):

The Prophet (ﷺ) said to me, "Ask." I said, "I ask your company in Paradise." He replied, "Or something else?" I said, "That is it (i.e. that is what I desire)." He said, "Then help me to achieve this for you by devoting yourself often to prostration." [Reported by Muslim].

Narrated Ibn 'Umar (RA):

I memorized from the Prophet (ﷺ) ten (voluntary) Rak'at - two Rak'at before the Zuhr prayer and two after it; two Rak'at after Maghrib prayer in his house, and two Rak'at after 'Isha' prayer in his house, and two Rak'at before the Fajr prayer. [Agreed upon].

Another narration of both (al-Bukhari and Muslim) has:

'two Rak'at after Jumu'ah prayer in his house.'

Muslim has:

'He never prayed after the break of dawn except two light Rak'at.'

Narrated 'Aishah (RA):

The Prophet (ﷺ) never left four Rak'at before the Zuhr prayer, and two Rak'at before the Fajr prayer. [Reported by al-Bukhari].

Narrated ['Aishah (RA)]:

The Prophet (ﷺ) was more particular about offering the two (optional) Rak'at at dawn than he was about offering any of the other optional prayers. [Agreed upon].

Muslim has:

"The two Rak'at at dawn are better than this world and what it contains."

Narrated Umm Habibah (RA) the Mother of the Believers:

She heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) say, "Whoever prays twelve (voluntary) Rak'at in a day and a night, a house will be built for him in Paradise due to them (the Rak'at)." [Reported by Muslim]. In another narration, it is mentioned: "Voluntarily".

at-Tirmidhi reported it similarly and added:

"four Rak'at before Zuhr and two Rak'at after it and two Ra'kat after Maghrib and two after 'Isha' and two Rak'at before the Fajr prayer."

And in the narration of al-Khamsah, by her [Umm Habibah (RA)]:

"Whoever prays regularly four Rak'at before and four Rak'at after the Zuhr prayer, Allah will forbid for him (from entering) the Hellfire."

Narrated Ibn 'Umar (RA):

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: "May Allah mercy on a person who prays four Rak'at before the 'Asr prayer. " [Reported by Ahmad, Abu Da'ud and at-Tirmidhi and the latter graded it Hasan (good). Also reported by Ibn Khuzaimah who graded it Sahih (authentic)].

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Mughaffal al-Muzani (RA):

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Pray before Maghrib, pray before Maghrib" then he said at the third time, "Whoever wishes (to)". He said so, because he did not like the people to take it as a Sunnah. [Reported by al-Bukhari].