4/34. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 453c — Lengthening the First Two Rak'ahs
The Recitation For Zuhr And 'Asr
First Two Rak'ahs Longer: Hadith on Following the Prophet’s Prayer
Sahih Muslim : 453c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 453c
وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ أَبِي عَوْنٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ جَابِرَ بْنَ سَمُرَةَ، قَالَ عُمَرُ لِسَعْدٍ قَدْ شَكَوْكَ فِي كُلِّ شَىْءٍ حَتَّى فِي الصَّلاَةِ . قَالَ أَمَّا أَنَا فَأَمُدُّ فِي الأُولَيَيْنِ وَأَحْذِفُ فِي الأُخْرَيَيْنِ وَمَا آلُو مَا اقْتَدَيْتُ بِهِ مِنْ صَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم . فَقَالَ ذَاكَ الظَّنُّ بِكَ . أَوْ ذَاكَ ظَنِّي بِكَ .
Jabir bin Samurah Narrated from:
'Umar said to Sa'd: They complain against you in every matter, even in prayer. He (Sa'd) said: I prolong (standing) in the first two (rak'ahs) and shorten it in the last two, and I make no negligence in following the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He ('Umar) remarked: This is what is expected of you, or, that is what I deemed of you.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 453cIn-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 180USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 914
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 453c
This narration gives a focused answer from Sa'd when Umar told him that people complained about him in many matters, even in prayer. Sa'd said that he lengthened the first two rak'ahs and shortened the last two. He also said that he made no negligence in following the prayer of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. Umar answered that this was what he expected of him, or what he deemed of him. For readers searching first two rak'ahs longer hadith, imam prayer complaint, or Sahih Muslim 453c, the teaching is clear. The report is about prayer leadership, measured recitation, and a claim of following the Prophet’s way in prayer without carelessness.
What we learn from this hadith
- Sa'd was questioned about complaints regarding his prayer.
- He described a pattern of longer first two rak'ahs and shorter last two.
- He said he was careful in following the Prophet’s prayer.
- Umar’s response shows trust in his stated practice.
