Sayyiduna Abu Mas’ud Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and said,“O Messenger of Allah, by Allah, I do not attend the morning congregation because of so-and-so (Mu’adh bin Jabal or Ubayy bin Ka’b), as he makes the prayer too long for us.”Abu Mas’ud said,“I have never seen the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) more angry in giving advice and admonition than he was that day. Then he said, ‘O people, some of you make others dislike (the prayer). So whoever among you leads the people in prayer should make it short, for among them are the elderly, the young, and those with needs.’”

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: When any of you leads the people in prayer, he should make it short, because among them are the weak, the sick, and the elderly. But when he prays alone, he may prolong it as much as he wishes.

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to perform the prayer concisely and completely.

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I have never offered a lighter yet complete prayer behind any Imam than the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). His condition was such that if he heard the cry of a child, he would shorten the prayer out of concern that the child's mother might become distressed.

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: When I begin the prayer, I intend to make it long, but on hearing the cry of a child, I shorten it because I know how much distress the child's crying causes to the mother’s heart.