12/1. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 1029 — Small Group Prayer
Clasping one's hands together
Hadith About Small Group Prayer in the House
Sunan an-Nasai : 1029
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 1029
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، وَالأَسْوَدِ، أَنَّهُمَا كَانَا مَعَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فِي بَيْتِهِ فَقَالَ أَصَلَّى هَؤُلاَءِ قُلْنَا نَعَمْ . فَأَمَّهُمَا وَقَامَ بَيْنَهُمَا بِغَيْرِ أَذَانٍ وَلاَ إِقَامَةٍ . قَالَ إِذَا كُنْتُمْ ثَلاَثَةً فَاصْنَعُوا هَكَذَا وَإِذَا كُنْتُمْ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَلْيَؤُمَّكُمْ أَحَدُكُمْ وَلْيَفْرِشْ كَفَّيْهِ عَلَى فَخِذَيْهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا أَنْظُرُ إِلَى اخْتِلاَفِ أَصَابِعِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم .
'Alqamah and Al-Aswad Narrated from:
It was narrated from 'Alqamah and Al-Aswad that: They were with 'Abdullah in his house and he said: "Have these people prayed?" We said: "Yes." So he led them in prayer and stood between them, with no Adhan and no Iqamah, and said: "If you are three then do this, and if you are more than that then let one of you lead the others in prayer, and let him lay his hands on his thighs. It is as if I can see the fingers of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), interlaced.'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1029In-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 1English translation : Vol. 2, Book 12, Hadith 1030
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 1029
This Hadith describes a prayer led by Abdullah in his house with 'Alqamah and Al-Aswad present. He asked whether the people had prayed, and after they said yes, he led them without Adhan and without Iqamah. He stood between them and said that if they were three, they should do this, while if they were more than that, one should lead the others in prayer. The narration also mentions laying the hands on the thighs and describes the fingers of the Messenger of Allah as interlaced. The core topic is small group prayer. For someone searching for hadith about three people praying together or prayer at home without Adhan and Iqamah, this narration gives a specific reported practice. It should not be stretched beyond the exact case described.
What we learn from this hadith
- A small group prayer arrangement is described in this narration.
- Abdullah stood between two people when leading them.
- If more than three are present, one person should lead the others.
- The narration reports a hand position connected to what Abdullah saw from the Prophet.
