and to al-Aqsa Mosque. (1) Such is how it is authentically established in the two Sahih collections (2) on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (3) and Abu Saʿid (4), and it is also reported through other chains (5).

His Mosque was smaller than it is today, and so was the Sacred Mosque; however, the Rightly Guided Caliphs and those who came after them enlarged both, and in every legal ruling an extension is treated exactly like the original structure.

Next, one sends salutations upon the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and upon his two Companions, for he said (6): “No man greets me but that Allah returns my soul to me so that I may reply to his greeting.” Abu Dawud and others narrated it (7). ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar, whenever he entered the mosque, used to say (8): “Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah; peace be upon you, O Abu Bakr; peace—”