when he stood up, then pronounce the takbīr when he prostrated, then pronounce the takbīr when he raised his head, then pronounce the takbīr when he rose after sitting following the two rakʿahs. He would do this in every rakʿah until he completed the prayer. Then, when he finished, he would say, ‘By Him in Whose hand is my soul, my prayer most closely resembles the prayer of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. This was indeed how he prayed until he departed this world.’”

Abū Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, used to do this when he was governor of Medina. Muʿāwiya alternated between him and Marwān ibn al-Hakam in the governorship of Medina, appointing one at one time and the other at another. Marwān would appoint a deputy, while Abū Hurayra would lead them in a prayer that more closely resembled the prayer of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, than did the prayer of Marwān and the other governors of Medina.

The words “whether obligatory or otherwise” refer to voluntary prayers, such as the night prayers of Ramadan. Thus, al-Bukhārī recorded, through al-Zuhrī from Abū Bakr ibn Abd al-Rahmān ibn al-Hārith and Abū Salama:

“Abū Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, used to pronounce the takbīrs in every prayer, whether obligatory or otherwise, during Ramadan and at other times. He would pronounce the takbīr when he stood up and when he bowed, then say, ‘Allah hears whoever praises Him,’ then, ‘Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.’” He then related a similar account.

The people had grown accustomed to what others did, so they did not recognize this practice and asked him about it, as Muslim related through Yahyā ibn Abī Kathīr from Abū Salama: