He then took his leave, turned to the people, and repeated his words—making it clear that he had ascended and descended the pulpit only so they could observe his prayer, learn it from him, and pattern themselves after him.
Points derived from the ḥadith
1 – The Successors’ practice of discussing matters of knowledge and their etiquette in referring back to the scholars from whom they had received it.
2 – The permissibility for the imam to be elevated above the congregation during prayer when there is a need, such as teaching them how to pray. If there is no need, it is disliked, in light of the report narrated by Abū Dāwūd from Ḥudhayfah: the Prophet ﷺ said, “When a man leads the people in prayer, he must not stand in a place higher than theirs.”
3 – Slight movements in the prayer, when required, are permissible and do not harm the prayer.
4 – The obligation to follow the Prophet ﷺ; his actions are part of the sunnah that must be emulated and preserved.
5 – The excellence of his ﷺ method of instruction: he combined word and deed, thereby conveying realities in the clearest possible way.
6 – Evidence that establishing a prayer for the sake of teaching is permissible and does not conflict with sincerity or humility; rather, it adds an act of worship to another act of worship.
Hadith 2
Abdullāh ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever among you comes to Friday (prayer) should bathe.”
Overall meaning
The gathering for the Friday prayer is a momentous occasion—a great assembly of Muslims who converge on the mosque from every part of the city where they live. At such a public gathering, where the symbols of Islam and the dignity of the Muslim community are on display, those who attend ought to arrive in their finest appearance, their best scent, and with the cleanest bodies. For this reason the Prophet ﷺ instructed them to perform a ritual bath before coming, so that there would be no dirt or unpleasant odors by which they might offend the worshippers or the angels present to hear the sermon and the remembrance of Allah.