#519 519 - Abu Dawud narrated to us, he said: Hisham narrated to us, from Qatadah, from Yunus ibn Jubayr, from Hittan ibn Abdillah al-Raqashi, 'that al-Ash'ari prayed with his companions a prayer, and when he sat in his prayer, a man from the people behind him said: "Prayer has been established with righteousness and zakat." When al-Ash'ari finished his prayer ⁽¹²²⁾ he said: "Which of you is the one who said such and such a word?" The people remained silent. He said: "O Hittan, perhaps you said it?" I said: "I did not say it, and I feared that you would rebuke me for it." Al-Ash'ari said: "Do you not know what you say in your prayer? Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (saw) addressed us and taught us our Sunnah, and explained to us our prayer, saying: 'Straighten your rows, then let one of you lead you. When the Imam says the Takbir, then say the Takbir. When he says: {Not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray}, then say: Amin, Allah will answer you. When he bows, then bow, for the Imam bows before you and rises before you.' The Prophet of Allah (saw) said: 'That makes up for that.' 'And when he says: Allah hears whoever praises Him, then say: O Allah, our Lord, to You belongs all praise, Allah will hear you, for indeed Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, said upon the tongue of His Prophet (saw): Allah hears whoever praises Him. And when he says the Takbir and prostrates, then say the Takbir and prostrate, for the Imam prostrates before you and rises before you.' The Prophet of Allah (saw) said: 'That makes up for that.' 'And when it is time for the sitting, let the first thing one of you says be ⁽¹²³⁾: All greetings are for Allah, the good things and the prayers are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah ⁽¹²⁴⁾, peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger.'"

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