Likewise, it is known that if ʿAlī ibn Abī Tālib had sought the caliphate during the reigns of Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, and ʿUthmān and fought for it, people would have transmitted this, just as they transmitted what happened after them. Similarly, had the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, instructed ʿAlī to lead the people in prayer, they would have transmitted this, just as they transmitted his instruction to Abū Bakr and Abū Bakr’s leading the people in prayer. Had he designated ʿAlī as his successor to the caliphate, they would have transmitted that, just as they transmitted matters of lesser importance.

Indeed, it is likewise known that he and his Companions did not gather to listen to frame drums or handclapping, nor for dancing and pipe-playing. Likewise, he and they did not gather after the prayers to supplicate, raise their hands, and so forth; had he done so, they would have transmitted it. Similarly, it is known that he did not perform the noon, afternoon, and night prayers as four units while travelling. Had he sometimes prayed four units while travelling, people would have transmitted this, just as they transmitted his combining two prayers on some occasions.

Likewise, it is known that he did not perform the obligatory prayers alone, but rather performed them in congregation. Similarly, he and his Companions did not carry earth with them while travelling for dry ablution, offer funeral prayers every night for Muslims who died, or intend a devotional retreat whenever they entered a mosque to pray. Likewise, it is known that he did not offer a funeral prayer in absentia for anyone other than al-Najāshī.

Similarly, it is known that had he regularly recited an audible, prescribed qunūt supplication in the dawn prayer or any other prayer, people would have transmitted this—just as they transmitted his occasional qunūt, in which he supplicated for some people and against others. They would have had even stronger reason to transmit such a regular practice.

Likewise, when he shortened and combined the prayers at ʿArafah and Muzdalifah, had he instructed anyone praying behind him to complete his prayer in full or not to combine the prayers with him, people would have transmitted this, just as they transmitted matters of lesser importance.