Recorded by al-Bayhaqi and by Ahmad (4/316). In my view the correct wording is that carried by the majority, because it matches the version reported by everyone who narrates the hadith from Asim. Among those transmitters are: – Bishr ibn al-Mufaddal: preserved by Abu Dawud and al-Nasa’i (1/186); – Ibn Idris: in al-Nasa’i (1/166); – Khalid ibn Abd Allah: in al-Bayhaqi (2/131); – Zuhayr ibn Muawiyah: in Ahmad (4/318). The report of Abd al-Wahid ibn Ziyad from Asim with the wording “level with his shoulders,” cited by al-Bayhaqi (2/72, 111), is irregular (shadh), like Waki’s narration from Sufyan. The majority version is supported by the report of Abd al-Jabbar ibn Wail, related by Alqamah ibn Wail and a family client, both of whom said that Wail ibn Hujr told them he saw the Prophet raise his hands when he began the prayer until they were opposite his ears … and at the end: “When he prostrated, he prostrated between his two hands.” It is recorded by Muslim (2/13), Ahmad (4/317–18), and al-Bayhaqi (2/71). Further corroboration comes from supporting reports (shawahid) of al-Bara ibn Azib and Abu Masud al-Ansari. Regarding the first, al-Tirmidhi (2/60) and al-Tahawi transmit it through Hafs ibn Ghiyath—al-Hajjaj—from Abu Ishaq, who said: I asked al-Bara ibn Azib, “Where would the Prophet place his face when he prostrated?” He replied, “Between his two hands.” Al-Tirmidhi remarks: “A hasan hadith.” Some versions add: