Hadith #234

Arabic Text

English Translation

It was narrated from Abu Hurayra (رضي الله عنه) — via Sufyan, who heard Ayyub, from Muhammad ibn Sirin who said: I heard Abu Hurayra say: 'He [the Prophet ﷺ] prayed one of the two afternoon prayers — either Dhuhr, though I think it most likely was 'Asr — and gave salam after two rak'ahs. He then went to a wooden post [jidh'] that he used to pray facing, and sat against it, appearing angry.' Sufyan said: 'He went to a wooden post in the direction of the qibla and leaned his back against it.' [The narrator continued:] 'Then the hasty people [sara'an al-nas] rushed out and said: "The prayer has been shortened!" Among those present were Abu Bakr and 'Umar. He said: "It was not shortened and I did not forget." He was told: "But you only prayed two rak'ahs." the Messenger of Allah ﷺ looked [around at those present] and they said: "Yes [only two rak'ahs]." So he stood and prayed two rak'ahs, then gave salam, then said Allahu Akbar and prostrated as in his regular prostration or longer, then raised his head and said Allahu Akbar, then prostrated and said Allahu Akbar.'