English translation
730. It was reported from 'Abdul-Ḥamīd — meaning Ibn Ja'far, that he was informed by Muḥammad bin 'Amr bin 'Aṭā' who said: "I hear Abū Ḥumaid As-Sā'idī while he was amidst a group of ten Companions of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ — among them Abū Qatadah — saying: 'I am the most knowledgeable among you regarding the prayer of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ.' They said: 'And why is that? For, by Allāh, you did not follow him any more than we did, nor did you accompany him for a period longer than us.' He said: 'Yes!' They said, 'So bring forth (what you know).' He said: 'When the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ stood up to pray, he would raise his hands until they would reach the level of his shoulders, then he would say the Takbīr, until every bone would be resting in its proper place. He would then recite (from the Qur'an), then say the Takbīr raising his hands until they reached the level of his shoulders. He would then go into Rukū', placing his palms on his knees. Then he would straighten (his back) — neither would he lower his head down, nor would he raise it up. He would then raise his head, saying: 'Sami' Allāhu liman ḥamidah (Allāh hears the one who praises Him).' Then he would raise his hands until they reached the level of his shoulders, straightening (his back), and then he would say: "Allāhu Akbar." He would then go down on the ground, and would keep his two hands (arms) away from his side. Then he would raise his head. He would bend the toes of his feet when he prostrated.[1] Then he would prostrate (again), and say "Allāhu Akbar," and then raise his head (to sit up). He would place his left foot horizontally (on the ground), sitting on it, allowing every bone to return to its normal position. Then he would perform the second (Rak'ah) in a similar fashion. When he stood up after two Rak'ahs, he would say the Takbīr and raise his hands to the level of his shoulders, just as he had done at the beginning of the prayer. He would continue in this fashion for the remainder of the prayer, until, when he performed the prostration that is before the Taslīm, he would move his left leg further, and sit on his buttocks — on his left side.' They (the other Companions) said: 'You have told the truth. This is how he ﷺ used to pray.'" (Saḥīh)