prayer of any imam, as well as the most complete. This was because the different parts of his prayer were balanced and proportionate, as in the other wording, “His prayer was balanced,” and another wording, “The different parts of his prayer were similar in length.” Its lightness came from keeping the standing and sitting brief, while its completeness came from prolonging the bowing and prostration. Had he meant that the very same act—such as standing—was both the briefest and the most complete, that would have been contradictory. This is why he explained how the Prophet shortened the prayer when a child cried: by reciting a short surah. He also explained that ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb lengthened the dawn prayer. What he lengthened was the recitation, for ʿUmar, may Allah be pleased with him, would recite Surah Yūnus, Surah Hūd and Surah Yūsuf in the dawn prayer.

This is clarified by the report that Abū Dāwūd narrated in his Sunan from Anas ibn Mālik, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:

“I have never prayed behind anyone whose prayer was briefer, yet complete, than that of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. When the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘Allah hears those who praise Him,’ he would remain standing until we would say, ‘He has become forgetful.’ Then he would say ‘Allah is greatest’ and prostrate. He would also sit between the two prostrations until we would say, ‘He has become forgetful.’”

Likewise, al-Bukhārī and Muslim narrated in their two Sahīh collections through Hammād ibn Zayd, from Thābit, from Anas, who said:

“I spare no effort to lead you in prayer as the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to lead us.”

Thābit said:

“Anas used to do something that I do not see you doing: when he raised his head from bowing, he would stand upright until someone would say, ‘He has forgotten.’”

Al-Bukhārī also narrated through