then he proclaims Allah’s greatness, sits upright on his buttocks, and straightens his back.” He described the prayer in this manner for four units until he had finished, then said: “No one’s prayer is complete until he does this.”

This was recorded by the compilers of the Sunan: Abū Dāwūd, al-Nasā’ī, Ibn Mājah, and al-Tirmidhī. Al-Tirmidhī said: “It is a good hadith.” Both versions follow Abū Dāwūd’s wording.

In a third version recorded by him:

“He said: ‘When you stand and face the direction of prayer, proclaim Allah’s greatness, then recite the Opening Chapter of the Quran and whatever else Allah wills you to recite. When you bow, place your palms on your knees and straighten your back.’ He also said: ‘When you prostrate, settle firmly into your prostration. When you rise, sit on your left thigh.’”

In another version, he said:

“When you stand in prayer, proclaim the greatness of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, then recite whatever of the Quran is easy for you.”

He also said in it:

“When you sit in the middle of the prayer, be at rest, lay your left thigh flat, and recite the testimony of faith. Then, when you stand, do likewise until you finish your prayer.”

In another version:

“He said: ‘Perform ablution as Allah has commanded you, then pronounce the testimony of faith in full, then proclaim Allah’s greatness. If you know any Quran, recite it. Otherwise, praise Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, proclaim His greatness, and declare that none has the right to be worshipped but Him.’”

He also said in it:

“Whatever you leave out of this, you have diminished your prayer by that much.”

Thus, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, commanded the man who had prayed incorrectly to repeat his prayer. An unqualified command from Allah and His Messenger entails obligation. He also commanded him