the prayer with them, then perform it, and do not say, “I have already prayed, so I will not pray.”

Aḥmad likewise records the narration (5/159, Musnad) through the route of Abū Naʿāmah from ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Ṣāmit, but with an additional clause: “So pray with them, for it will only increase your reward.”

The ḥadīth is supported by further corroborating reports:

(1) ʿUbādah ibn al-Ṣāmit relates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “After me you will face rulers who let other matters distract them from performing the prayer on time until its time has passed. Perform the prayer at its proper time.” A man asked, “O Messenger of Allah, should I also pray with them?” He replied, “Yes, if you wish.” D (71); Ham (315) through Jarīr and Sufyān al-Thawrī, both from Manṣūr, from Hilāl ibn Yasāf, from Abū Yasāf, from Abū al-Muthannā al-Ḥimṣī, from Abū Abī, the stepson of ʿUbādah ibn al-Ṣāmit, from him.

Aḥmad transmits the report again (5/314–315; 6/7) through Shuʿbah, from Manṣūr, from Hilāl ibn Yasāf, from Abū al-Muthannā, the stepson of ʿUbādah ibn al-Ṣāmit, from him.

He also records it (5/314–315; 6/7) via Shuʿbah, from Manṣūr, from Hilāl ibn Yasāf, from Abū al-Muthannā, from Abū Abī, the stepson of ʿUbādah ibn al-Ṣāmit, from the Prophet ﷺ with the wording: “Perform the prayer at its time, then count the prayer you offer with them as a voluntary one.” Thus Aḥmad placed it in the Musnad of Abū Abī, not in that of ʿUbādah ibn al-Ṣāmit.

Aḥmad further records it (315) through the chain of Yaʿmar—meaning Ibn Bishr—who said, “ʿAbd Allāh informed us; Sufyān related from Manṣūr …” with the wording: “We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when he said …” and so forth. Aḥmad then remarked, “This is the correct version,” meaning that the report belongs to the Musnad of Abū Abī rather than to that of ʿUbādah.