It was therefore impossible for him to perform any prayer after the adhān—neither he himself nor any of the Muslims who prayed with him, peace and blessings be upon him. No one has ever reported that he prayed in his house before going out on Friday, nor did he ever specify, by word or deed, a fixed number of rakʿahs as a prescribed prayer before the Friday service. Rather, his statements merely encourage praying when a person reaches the mosque on Friday, without setting any particular measure. He said, for instance, “Whoever comes early and makes an earnest start, walks and does not ride, and prays whatever has been written for him….”