When Abu Waa.il would pray [a voluntary prayer] in his home, he would weep profusely; [and such was the level of his humility that] if the entire world was offered to him to do [the same] so someone could see him – he would not do so.
Tag: salah
Not be seen to be praying voluntary prayers
I have not seen a man [whom Allaah has] raised [in rank] like Maalik ibn Anas; he would not be seen to be praying voluntary prayers, nor voluntary fasting – yet he must have had a secret [hoard of righteous deeds].
Out of his fear of showing off
ar-Rabee’ ibn Khuthaym only ever prayed a voluntary prayer in his local masjid once.
Never once saw him praying a voluntary prayer
I accompanied Muhammad ibn Aslam for more than 20 years, and never once saw him praying a voluntary prayer except on the day of Jumu’ah; [I understood why, when] I once heard him saying: ‘If I was able to pray a voluntary prayer such that my two angels could not see me, I would have done so – out of fear of showing off’.
If anyone did speak to him, he would respond to them
al-Awzaa’ee would not speak to anyone after the fajr prayer until [after] he had engaged himself in the remembrance of Allaah; And if anyone did speak to him, he would respond to them.
Did not rise until the adhaan for ‘ishaa
I saw ath-Thowree in the Haram after [the] maghrib [prayer]; He prayed, then descended into prostration and did not rise until the call (adhaan) for the ‘ishaa prayer [was made].
Sufyaan ath-Thowree’s prostration
I saw ath-Thowree in the Haram (al-Masjid al-Haraam, Makkah) after maghrib; He prayed [the maghrib prayer] and then went into prostration, and did not rise [from the prostration] until the call for the ‘ishaa prayer was made.
Standing the night in prayer
I never raised my head at night (i.e. woke up) except that I saw Moosaa ibn Abee ‘Aa.ishah standing in prayer.
Except the day when my mother passed away
I remained for forty years, and never [once] missed the initial takbeer [upon beginning the congregational prayer], except the day when my mother passed away.
My health has forsaken me
My health has forsaken me, and I have become weak, and my bones are bruised, [yet] today I [still] stand for prayer, but am only able to recite [soorahs] al-Baqarah and Aal-‘Imraan.