Appendix 3

"The one who prayed badly" (radhi-yAllaahu `anhu)

In Hadeeth and Fiqh literature, this term refers to the Companion mentioned in the following hadeeth of Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (Book of Prayer, English translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan); many other narrations of this incident are found in the various collections of hadeeth, and provide an important source of instructions from the Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) regarding the correct way to pray:

Narrated Abu Hurayrah (radhi-yAllaahu `anhu):

The Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) entered the mosque and a person followed him. The man prayed and then went to the Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and greeted him; he returned the greeting and said (to him):

«Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.» The man went back and prayed in the same way as before, and then returned and greeted the Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), who said

«Go back and pray, for you have not prayed», three times. The man said: "By Him Who sent you with the Truth, I cannot do so any better than this, so please teach me." He said:

«When you stand for the Prayer, say takbeer and then recite what is easy for you from the Qur.aan (from what you know by heart); then bow until you feel at ease in rukoo`; then raise your head and stand up straight, then prostrate until you feel at ease in sajdah; then sit with calmness until you feel at ease, and do likewise in all your prayers.»

[further narrations of this hadeeth found in the other works of Hadeeth such as Sunan Abee Daawood, etc. contain further details.]