20/19. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 1658 — Slow Recitation Sitting
Sitting while performing voluntary prayers, and mentioning the differences reported from Abu Ishaq regarding that
Voluntary Prayer Sitting with Slow Recitation
Sunan an-Nasai : 1658
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 1658
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنِ السَّائِبِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ بْنِ أَبِي وَدَاعَةَ، عَنْ حَفْصَةَ، قَالَتْ مَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلَّى فِي سُبْحَتِهِ قَاعِدًا قَطُّ حَتَّى كَانَ قَبْلَ وَفَاتِهِ بِعَامٍ فَكَانَ يُصَلِّي قَاعِدًا يَقْرَأُ بِالسُّورَةِ فَيُرَتِّلُهَا حَتَّى تَكُونَ أَطْوَلَ مِنْ أَطْوَلَ مِنْهَا .
Hafsah Narrated from:
I never saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) offer his voluntary prayers sitting down until one year before his death. Then he used to pray sitting down, reciting the surah so slowly that it seemed to be longer than a surah that is longer.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1658In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 61English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1659
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 1658
This Hadith about voluntary prayer sitting is narrated by Hafsah. She said she never saw the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) offer his voluntary prayers sitting until one year before his death. Then he used to pray sitting and recite a surah so slowly that it seemed longer than a surah that was longer. The Hadith gives two clear details: the timing, one year before his death, and the manner of recitation, slow and measured. It does not say this was for obligatory prayer; it says voluntary prayers. The main topic is seated voluntary prayer with slow recitation. The report shows care, calmness, and length in recitation even while sitting.
What we learn from this hadith
- Hafsah connects sitting voluntary prayer to the final year before his death.
- The Prophet recited slowly while sitting.
- Slow recitation made the surah seem longer.
- The report is about voluntary prayers, not obligatory prayers.
