nor did they each keep a small prayer mat of their own. Rather, they prostrated on earth and pebbles, as mentioned earlier. Had this been recommended or a Sunnah practice, they would have done it, and he would have instructed them to do so. It is thus clear that it was a concession granted because of the need to protect the worshipper from discomfort. They themselves used their clothes and similar things for this purpose. It is well known that the Companions, both during his lifetime and afterward, were better than us, more faithful in following the Sunnah, and more obedient to his commands. Had the purpose been what those who use prayer rugs intend, the Companions would have done so.

Fifth:
The mosque floor was not covered; rather, it consisted of earth and pebbles. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prayed on a woven mat, his wife’s bedding, and similar things. He did not pray there on a small prayer mat, a prayer rug, or anything similar.

If it is said:
“The hadiths of Maymūnah and ʿĀ’ishah indicate that he used to pray on a small prayer mat in his home, for he said, ‘Hand me the small prayer mat from the mosque.’ The previously mentioned hadith of Maymūnah also suggests this.”

The answer is:
Whoever uses a prayer rug to spread over the mosque’s woven mats has no evidence in the Sunnah for this practice. Rather, this innovation is objectionable on several grounds. The first is that such a person avoids praying on the ground for fear that