Obligation of Prayer during the Isra

‘A’ishah, Mother of the Believers, reported: "Allah obligated the prayer when He made it obligatory, two rak‘ahs at a time, both for those staying at home and for travelers. The prayer for travelers was affirmed, and additional units were added for the prayer of those at home."

Adorning Oneself for Prayer

Umm ‘Atiyah reported: "We were commanded to bring out the menstruating women on the two Eids, and the women with veils, so that they may witness the congregation of the Muslims and their call, while the menstruating women stayed away from the prayer.

A woman said: 'O Messenger of Allah, one of us does not have a jilbab.' He said: 'Let her companion give her one of her jilbabs.'"

Permissibility of Praying in Footwear

Abu Maslamah Sa‘id ibn Yazid al-Azdi reported: "I asked Anas ibn Malik: 'Did the Prophet ﷺ pray in his sandals?' He said: 'Yes.'"

The Danger of Not Completing the Prostration

Hudhayfah reported: "He saw a man who did not complete his bowing nor his prostration. When he finished his prayer, Hudhayfah said to him: 'You have not prayed.' He said: 'I considered it complete.' Hudhayfah said: 'If you die in this state, you die upon something other than the Sunnah of Muhammad ﷺ.'"

The Virtue of Facing the Qiblah

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Whoever prays our prayer, faces our Qiblah, and eats our sacrificial animals, then that is the Muslim under the protection of Allah and the protection of His Messenger. Do not betray Allah regarding his protection."

The Sanctity of Life for Those Who Follow the Qiblah

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "I was commanded to fight the people until they say ‘There is no god but Allah.’ Once they say it, perform our prayer, face our Qiblah, and slaughter our sacrificial animals, then their blood and wealth are forbidden for us except by its due right, and their reckoning is with Allah."

The Whole Earth is Suitable for Prayer

Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "I have been given five things which no one among the prophets before me was given: I was aided by terror for a distance of a month’s journey, the earth has been made for me a mosque and a means of purification, and whoever among my Ummah catches the prayer, let him pray, spoils were made permissible for me, the Prophet was sent specifically to his people while I was sent to all people, and I was granted intercession."

The Recommendation of Greeting the Mosque

Abu Qatadah al-Salami reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "When one of you enters the mosque, let him pray two rak‘ahs before sitting down."

Prayer is the Dearest of Deeds to Allah

‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: "I asked the Prophet ﷺ: 'Which deed is most beloved to Allah?' He said: 'Prayer at its prescribed time.' I asked: 'Then which?' He said: 'Kindness to parents.' I asked: 'Then which?' He said: 'Jihad in the cause of Allah.'

He told me these, and if I had asked for more, he would have increased it for me."

Prayer is a Communion with Allah

Anas reported: The Prophet ﷺ said: "When any of you prays, he communes with his Lord. Let him not spit to his right, but rather under his left foot."