8568 - Abu Muhammad (1) Abdullah ibn Yunus narrated to us, he said: Baqi ibn Makhlad ﵀ (2) ⦗324⦘ narrated to us, he said: Abu Bakr narrated to us, he said: Waki’ narrated to us from Al-A’mash from Abu Sufyan from Jabir who said: The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was asked: Which prayer is best? He said: Prolonged standing (qunut) (3).

A companion narrates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would stand in prayer for such a long time that his blessed feet would become swollen. Someone asked him to lessen this, so he replied, "Should I not be a grateful servant of Allah?"

It is narrated similarly through another chain.

Ibrahim says that prolonged standing (in prayer) is more beloved to me than the abundance of bowing and prostration.

Hazrat Hajjaj bin Hassan says that I asked Hazrat Abu Majliz about the Tahajjud prayer: Do you prefer a long recitation or more bowing and prostration? He replied, I prefer a long recitation.

Hazrat Yahya bin Rafi' says that it was said: Do not recite poetry in prayer, otherwise Satan will put you in tribulation.

Hazrat Salim bin Abi Al-Ja'd says that a man came to Hazrat Abu Dharr and asked, "Where is Abu Dharr?" The people said that he is on the top of the mountain with his small herd. I went to him and found him praying. He would keep the standing (qiyam) short and prolong the bowing (ruku) and prostration (sujud). When he finished the prayer, I said, "O Abu Dharr! I saw that you kept the standing in prayer short and prolonged the bowing and prostration. What is the reason for this?" He replied, "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said that whenever a Muslim performs a prostration for the sake of Allah, Allah raises him one degree because of it and removes one sin from him."

Hazrat Abu Mus'ab Aslami says that a slave of Aslam used to serve the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Once, he said, "O Messenger of Allah! Pray to Allah that He admits me into Paradise or grants me your intercession." The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Alright, then help me by performing more prostrations."

Hazrat Anas bin Sirin narrates that Hazrat Masruq used to perform such lengthy prayers that his wife would sit behind him and start crying.

Hazrat Abdullah says that as long as you are in prayer, you are knocking at the door of the King, and whoever knocks at the door more, it is surely opened for him.