For fifty years, I never [once] missed the initial takbeer [upon beginning the congregational prayer], and nor have I seen the back of a man in the [congregational] prayer [since].
Category: Prayer
Nothing more desirable has remained
In this world, nothing more desirable has remained than prayer in congregation, and [subsequently] meeting the brothers.
I have not seen any better prayer
I have not seen any better prayer than that of Muhammad ibn Nasr. A house fly settled upon his ear, and he did not [even] try to brush it away. And we were amazed at the gracefulness of his prayer, and his concentration and state; He would place his chin upon his chest and then stand upright as if he was an erect piece of wood.
What bit me?
al-Imaam al-Bukhaaree was praying one night and a wasp bit him seventeen times. So when he finished praying, he said: Have a look and see what hurt (bit) me.
Little birds would descend and settle upon his back
When Ibraaheem at-Teemee would prostrate, little birds would [descend and] settle upon his back, as if he was a wooden fence.
Used to stand the night in prayer
Sa’eed ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azeez used to stand the night in prayer, and when the time of Fajr entered he would renew his wudhoo and leave [home] for the masjid.
Engaging in seeking forgiveness
Every night, Wakee’ ibn al-Jarraah would not sleep until he had read a third of the Qur.aan. Then, during the last [third] of the night he would stand in prayer and recite the al-Mufassal. He would then sit and engage in seeking forgiveness (al-istighfaar) until the arrival of Fajr.
Dignifying and venerating the prayer
A man [once] said, from [the actions which] dignify and venerate the prayer is to arrive [for it] before the iqaamah.
Awake in prayer at night
I used to know Ahmad ibn Hanbal when he was [just] a little boy, and he would remain awake at night standing in prayer.
Sincere in his worship
If any member of the household entered upon ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Abee Laylaa while he was [standing the night] praying, he would immediately jump into bed [out of humility, and remaining sincere in his worship to Allaah, and being far removed from showing off].