He grouped these three actions together, although they differ in kind, because they all involve imitating animals in prayer. He therefore prohibited imitating the action of a crow, that which resembles the action of a beast of prey, and that which resembles the action of a camel. Crow-like pecking, however, is more serious than the latter two actions because it is also addressed in other hadiths.

In the two Sahih collections, Qatādah narrated from Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Maintain a proper posture in bowing and prostration, and let none of you spread his forearms on the ground like a dog.” This is especially so given that he explained in another hadith that “it is part of the prayer of the hypocrites,” while Allah Most High has stated in His Book that He will never accept the deeds of the hypocrites.

Muslim narrated in his Sahih from Anas ibn Mālik, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “That is the prayer of the hypocrite: he waits until the sun is between the horns of Satan, then rises and pecks out four units, remembering Allah in them but little.” He thus stated that the hypocrite neglects the prescribed time of prayer and also neglects its performance by pecking through it. This indicates that both are blameworthy, even though each entails abandoning an obligation.

This is clear proof that pecking through the prayer is impermissible and is the conduct of one who has hypocrisy within him—and every form of hypocrisy is forbidden. This hadith constitutes independent proof in its own right, while also explaining the hadith that precedes it. Allah Most High says: “The hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but He causes them to be deceived. When they rise for prayer, they rise sluggishly, showing off before people, and they remember Allah only a little” [al-Nisā’: 142] [al-Nisā’]. This is a severe warning to anyone who pecks through his prayer and fails to complete his bowing and prostration with proper posture and stillness.