He ﷺ also forbade the worshiper to spread his forearms on the ground—resting them flat upon it—for this posture resembles a harmful, predatory beast when it stretches out its forelegs, either begging for scraps from those eating or lying in ambush, ready to pounce on the unwary.

He ﷺ would conclude the prayer with the taslīm, saying—while intending the worshipers present and the angels drawn near—“as-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāh” once to his right and again to his left, so that this gracious supplication would encompass everyone present. The salutation of peace is indeed the close of the prayer, for Aḥmad and Abū Dāwūd relate that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Its finale is the taslīm.”

The Mother of the Believers ʿĀʾishah—may Allah be pleased with her—transmitted this complete description of the Prophet’s prayer so that his community might pray in the same way, in accordance with his ﷺ directive: “Pray as you have seen me pray.” [Reported by al-Bukhārī].