(1) The full discussion has already appeared on p. 182. The phrase “tahliluha” (its release) refers to permitting whatever actions are normally lawful outside the prayer. This hadith shows that pronouncing the taslim at the end of the prayer is obligatory; this is the view of the Shafiʿi school and of the great majority of the Companions, the Successors, and those who followed them, as stated in al-Majmuʿ (1/481) and in al-Nawawi’s Sharh Muslim. Al-Nawawi writes: “Abu Hanifa held that it is a sunnah, and that one leaves the prayer by any act that nullifies it—whether by giving the salam, speaking, breaking wind, standing up, or the like. The majority reply that the Prophet used to end his prayer with the salam, and al-Bukhari has authentically reported his words: ‘Pray as you have seen me pray,’ together with the other hadith: ‘Its consecration is the takbir, and its release is the taslim.’ ” Three hadiths have been cited in support of Abu Hanifa: 1. The hadith of the man who prayed incorrectly. The answer is that this does not contradict the obligation, for the taslim is an additional element, and additions of this kind are acceptable. 2. The hadith of Ibn Masʿud concerning the tashahhud: “When you have said this you have completed your prayer; if you wish, stand up, and if you wish, remain seated.” The response is that this hadith is not authentic, as noted earlier under the tashahhud (p. 872). The Hafiz (2/257) said: