And according to the scholars of Kufa, two salutations are given in all these cases; al-Shāfiʿī agreed with them. The preferred position in the well-known report from Ahmad is that a full prayer comprising standing, bowing, and prostration is concluded with two salutations. As for a prayer consisting of a single physical pillar, such as the funeral prayer, the prostration of recitation, or the prostration of gratitude, the preferred view is that it is concluded with one salutation, as most transmitted reports indicate. Thus, multiple physical pillars are concluded with multiple salutations, and a single physical pillar with a single salutation. The Prophet’s prayer—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—was proportionate: when he lengthened it, he gave each part its share of that length, and when he shortened it, he kept its parts brief overall.

He was asked about a man who, when giving the salutation to his right, says, “Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah. I ask You to grant me Paradise,” and to his left, “Peace be upon you. I ask You to save me from the Fire.” Is this disliked or not? If it is disliked, what is the evidence for disliking it?

He replied:

Praise be to Allah. Yes, this is disliked, because it is an innovation. For this