In the Prophet’s words (peace and blessings be upon him), “while you are walking,” there is proof that one should proceed at an ordinary, natural pace and not shorten his steps into quick, clipped strides, as some scholars have preferred. Regarding the Prophet’s statement, “He does not take a single step except that Allah raises him by it one degree,” its sense is that he may indeed take closer steps, yet he must still walk in his usual manner without hurrying. When a person arrives in this fashion, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whatever part of the prayer you catch, perform it, and whatever you miss, complete it.”

The scholars have added that if he fears missing the rakʿah—that is, missing the bowing—there is no harm in quickening his pace slightly, provided the haste is not unbecoming. A moderate speed that does not look improper and does not create commotion or noise is permissible.

This ḥadīth yields several benefits. Among them are: the exalted status of the prayer, and that a person should come to it with propriety, humility, tranquility, and dignity; and that there is no harm in the iqāmah being heard outside the mosque. Accordingly, if the muʿadhdhin delivers the iqāmah through a loudspeaker so that those outside the mosque can hear, there is nothing objectionable in that, even though some people have objected to this and said that if he gives the iqāmah from