Sahih Muslim Book 5 – Hadith 56-60
Sahih Muslim Book 5 – Hadith 56-60
Chapter 10: The permissibility of taking one or two steps while praying, and that is not disliked if done for a reason. The permissibility of the Imam praying in a place that is higher than the people praying behind him, if that is done for a reason, such as teaching them how to offer prayers, and other than that.
Abu Hazim is reported on the authority of his father:
Some people came to Sahl b. Sa'd and began to differ about the wood of which the (Prophet's pulpit was made. He (Sahl b. Sa'd) said: By Allah, I know of which wood it is made and who made it, and the day when I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) seated himself on it on the first day. I said to him: O Abu Abbas (kunyah of Sabl b. Sa'd), narrate to us (all these facts), He said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent a person to a woman asking her to allow her slave, a carpenter, to work on woods (to prepare a pulpit) so that I should talk to the people (sitting on it). Abu Hazim said: He (Sahl b. Sa'd) pointed out the name of (that lady) that day. So he (the carpenter) made (a pulpit) with these three steps. Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded it to be placed here (where it is lying now). It was fashioned out of the wood of al-Ghaba. And I saw the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) standing upon it and glorifying Allah and the people also glorified Allah after him, while he was on the pulpit. He then raised (his head from prostration) and stepped back (on his heels) till he prostrated himself at the base of pulpit, and then returned (to the former place and this movement of one or two steps continued) till the prayer was complete. He then turned towards the people and said: O people, I have done it so that you should follow me and learn (my mode of) prayer. (Sahih Muslim Book 5 – Hadith 56)
Abu Hazim reported:
They (the people) came to Sahl b. Sa'd and they asked him of what thing the pulpit of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was made, and the rest of the hadith is the same. (Sahih Muslim Book 5 – Hadith 57)
Chapter 11: It is disliked to put the hands on the waist during the prayer.
Abu Huraira reported from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) that he forbade keeping one's hand on one's waist while praying, and in the narration of Abu Bakr (the words are):
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade to do so. (Sahih Muslim Book 5 – Hadith 58)
Chapter 12: It is disliked to smooth the pebbles or make the dirt level during salat.
Mu'aiqib quoted the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) mentioning the removal of pebbles from the ground where he prostrated himself. He (the Prophet) said:
If you must do so, do it only once. (Sahih Muslim Book 5 – Hadith 59)
Mu'aiqib said:
They asked the Apostle (ﷺ) about the removal of (pebbles) in prayer, whereupon he said: If you do it, do it only once. (Sahih Muslim Book 5 – Hadith 60)
Sahih Muslim Book 5 – Hadith 56-60