It was narrated that Anas said: "The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) led us in prayer one day, and when he had finished praying he turned to face us and said: 'O people, I am your Imam, so do not go ahead of me in bowing, prostrating, standing nor the turning, for I can see you from in front of me and behind me.' Then he said: 'By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad! If you saw what I have seen, you would laugh little and weep much.' They said: 'What have you seen, O Messenger of Allah?' He said: 'I have seen Paradise and the Fire.'"

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ وَاللَّفْظُ لِأَبِي بَكْرٍ قَالَ ابْنُ حُجْرٍ أَخْبَرَنَا وَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُسْهِرٍ عَنْ الْمُخْتَارِ بْنِ فُلْفُلٍ عَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ صَلَّى بِنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ فَلَمَّا قَضَى الصَّلَاةَ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْنَا بِوَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي إِمَامُكُمْ فَلَا تَسْبِقُونِي بِالرُّكُوعِ وَلَا بِالسُّجُودِ وَلَا بِالْقِيَامِ وَلَا بِالِانْصِرَافِ فَإِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ أَمَامِي وَمِنْ خَلْفِي ثُمَّ قَالَ وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَوْ رَأَيْتُمْ مَا رَأَيْتُ لَضَحِكْتُمْ قَلِيلًا وَلَبَكَيْتُمْ كَثِيرًا قَالُوا وَمَا رَأَيْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ الْجَنَّةَ وَالنَّارَ.

Abu Hurairah said: Muhammad (s.a.w) said: "Does the one who raises his head before the Imam (does so) not fear that Allah may turn his head into the head of a donkey?'

حَدَّثَنَا خَلَفُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ وَأَبُو الرَّبِيعِ الزَّهْرَانِيُّ وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ قَالَ خَلَفٌ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَمَا يَخْشَى الَّذِي يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ قَبْلَ الْإِمَامِ أَنْ يُحَوِّلَ اللَّهُ رَأْسَهُ رَأْسَ حِمَارٍ.

It was narrated that Jabir bin Samurah said: "The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: 'People should stop lifting their gaze to the heavens when in Salat, lest it does not return to them."'

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ وَأَبُو كُرَيْبٍ قَالَا حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ عَنْ الْأَعْمَشِ عَنْ الْمُسَيَّبِ عَنْ تَمِيمِ بْنِ طَرَفَةَ عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَيَنْتَهِيَنَّ أَقْوَامٌ يَرْفَعُونَ أَبْصَارَهُمْ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ أَوْ لَا تَرْجِعُ إِلَيْهِمْ

It was narrated that Jabir bin Samurah said: "The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) came out to us and said: 'Why do I see you raising your hands like the tails of restless horses? Be calm when in prayer.' Then he came out to us and saw us sitting in circles. He said: 'Why do I see you in separate groups?' Then he came out to us and said: 'Why do you not make your rows as the Angels make their rows in the presence of their Lord?' We said: 'O Messenger of Allah, how do the Angels make their rows in the presence of their Lord?' He said: 'They complete the first rows and they keep close together in the rows."'

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ وَأَبُو كُرَيْبٍ قَالَا حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ عَنْ الْأَعْمَشِ عَنْ الْمُسَيَّبِ بْنِ رَافِعٍ عَنْ تَمِيمِ بْنِ طَرَفَةَ عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ قَالَ خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ مَا لِي أَرَاكُمْ رَافِعِي أَيْدِيكُمْ كَأَنَّهَا أَذْنَابُ خَيْلٍ شُمْسٍ اسْكُنُوا فِي الصَّلَاةِ قَالَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا فَرَآنَا حَلَقًا فَقَالَ مَالِي أَرَاكُمْ عِزِينَ قَالَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا فَقَالَ أَلَا تَصُفُّونَ كَمَا تَصُفُّ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهَا فَقُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكَيْفَ تَصُفُّ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهَا قَالَ يُتِمُّونَ الصُّفُوفَ الْأُوَلَ وَيَتَرَاصُّونَ فِي الصَّفِّ.

It was narrated that Jabir bin Samurah said: "When we prayed with the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) we used to say (at the completion of prayers): 'As-salamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah, as-salamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah (Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah),"' and he gestured with his hand to either side. "The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: 'Why do you gesture with your hands as if they were the tails of restive horses?' Rather it is sufficient for one of you to put his hand on his thigh then say the Salam to his brothers to his right and left."'

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ عَنْ مِسْعَرٍ ح و حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي زَائِدَةَ عَنْ مِسْعَرٍ حَدَّثَنِي عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْقِبْطِيَّةِ عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ قَالَ كُنَّا إِذَا صَلَّيْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قُلْنَا السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى الْجَانِبَيْنِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَلَامَ تُومِئُونَ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ كَأَنَّهَا أَذْنَابُ خَيْلٍ شُمْسٍ إِنَّمَا يَكْفِي أَحَدَكُمْ أَنْ يَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَى فَخِذِهِ ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ عَلَى أَخِيهِ مَنْ عَلَى يَمِينِهِ وَشِمَالِهِ

It was narrated that Jabir bin Samurah said: "I prayed with the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) and when we said the Salam, we used to gesture with our hands - 'As-salamu 'alaikum, As-salamu 'alaikum.' The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) looked at us and said: 'What is the matter with you? You are gesturing with your hands as if they were the tails of restless horses. When one of you says the Salam, let him tum to his companion i.e., the one next in row) and not gesture with his hand."'

و حَدَّثَنَا الْقَاسِمُ بْنُ زَكَرِيَّاءَ حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى عَنْ إِسْرَائِيلَ عَنْ فُرَاتٍ يَعْنِي الْقَزَّازَ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ قَالَ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَكُنَّا إِذَا سَلَّمْنَا قُلْنَا بِأَيْدِينَا السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ مَا شَأْنُكُمْ تُشِيرُونَ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ كَأَنَّهَا أَذْنَابُ خَيْلٍ شُمْسٍ إِذَا سَلَّمَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَلْتَفِتْ إِلَى صَاحِبِهِ وَلَا يُومِئْ بِيَدِهِ.

It was narrated that Abu Mas'ud said: "The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) used to touch our shoulders when we were standing for prayers and he would say: 'Make the rows straight and do not differ, lest your hearts differ. Let those who are most wise and possessing intellect be closest to me, then those who come after them, then those who come after them."' Abu Mas'ud said: "But today there is a great deal of discord among you."

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ وَأَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ وَوَكِيعٌ عَنْ الْأَعْمَشِ عَنْ عُمَارَةَ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ التَّيْمِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي مَعْمَرٍ عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَمْسَحُ مَنَاكِبَنَا فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَيَقُولُ اسْتَوُوا وَلَا تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ لِيَلِنِي مِنْكُمْ أُولُو الْأَحْلَامِ وَالنُّهَى ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ. قَالَ أَبُو مَسْعُودٍ فَأَنْتُمْ الْيَوْمَ أَشَدُّ اخْتِلَافًا.

It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud said: "The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: 'Let those of you who are most wise and possessing intellect be closest to me, then those who come after them' - he said that three times - 'and beware of the tumult of the marketplace."'

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ حَبِيبٍ الْحَارِثِيُّ وَصَالِحُ بْنُ حَاتِمِ بْنِ وَرْدَانَ قَالَا حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ حَدَّثَنِي خَالِدٌ الْحَذَّاءُ عَنْ أَبِي مَعْشَرٍ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لِيَلِنِي مِنْكُمْ أُولُو الْأَحْلَامِ وَالنُّهَى ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثَلَاثًا وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَهَيْشَاتِ الْأَسْوَاقِ.

It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said: "The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: 'Make your rows straight, for straightening the rows is part of the completion of the prayer."'

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى وَابْنُ بَشَّارٍ قَالَا حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ قَتَادَةَ يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ سَوُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ فَإِنَّ تَسْوِيَةَ الصَّفِّ مِنْ تَمَامِ الصَّلَاةِ.

It was narrated from Hammam bin Munnabih, he said: "This is what Abu Hurairah narrated to us from the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w)," and he mentioned a number of Ahadith, among which he said: "Make the rows straight in prayer, for making the row straight is part of praying well."

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ حَدَّثَنَا مَعْمَرٌ عَنْ هَمَّامِ بْنِ مُنَبِّهٍ قَالَ هَذَا مَا حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَذَكَرَ أَحَادِيثَ مِنْهَا وَقَالَ أَقِيمُوا الصَّفَّ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَإِنَّ إِقَامَةَ الصَّفِّ مِنْ حُسْنِ الصَّلَاةِ.