It is narrated from Sayyiduna Malik bin Huwairith (may Allah be pleased with him) that I, along with some people from my tribe (Banu Laith), came to the service of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). We were all young men and we stayed with him for twenty days. He was very kind-hearted. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) saw our longing to return to our families, he said: "Go back to your families and stay with them. Teach them and instruct them, and pray as you have seen me praying. When the time for prayer comes, let one of you give the call to prayer (adhan), and let the eldest among you lead the prayer."

Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "When three men gather together, then the one among them who has recited (the Qur'an) the most is the most deserving to lead them in prayer."