Sayyiduna Sahl bin Sa’d Sa’idi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) went to Banu Amr bin Awf (in Quba) to make peace among them. When the time for prayer came, the muezzin (Sayyiduna Bilal, may Allah be pleased with him) came to Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and said,“Will you lead the prayer so that I may pronounce the takbir?”Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) replied,“Yes.”Thus, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) began the prayer. Meanwhile, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived while the people were in prayer. He passed through the rows and reached the first row. The people started striking one hand against the other (so that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, would become aware of the arrival of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him). But Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) did not pay attention to anything during the prayer. When the people repeatedly started striking hand upon hand, as-Siddiq al-Akbar became attentive and saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gestured to him to remain in his place (and continue leading the prayer), but he raised his hands and thanked Allah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had honored him with the leadership of the prayer. Then he stepped back and joined the row, so the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) moved forward and led the prayer. After finishing the prayer, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said,“Abu Bakr, when I had instructed you, why did you not remain steadfast?”Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) replied,“It was not appropriate for the son of Abu Quhafa (i.e., Abu Bakr) to lead the prayer in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).”Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) addressed the people and said,“It is strange, I saw that you were clapping a lot. (Remember) if something happens during the prayer, one should say ‘Subhan Allah.’ When he says it, attention will be paid to him, and this clapping is for women.”

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: (If something happens during the prayer) men should say "Subhan Allah" and women should strike one hand on the other, that is, clap, to inform the imam.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Do you think that my face (in prayer) is towards the Qiblah? By Allah, neither your humility is hidden from me nor (when you are) in bowing, I keep seeing you from behind my back.

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Perform bowing (ruku) and prostration (sajdah) properly. By Allah, I see you from behind my back, or he said in this way: from behind my back, when you bow and prostrate (I see you).

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Does not the person among you who raises his head before the imam (in bowing or prostration) fear that Allah may turn his head into the head of a donkey or his appearance into the appearance of a donkey?

Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Straighten your rows, for straightening the rows is part of establishing the prayer."

Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Straighten your rows, for I can see you from behind my back."

Sayyiduna Nu'man bin Bashir رضي الله عنه narrates that the Noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Straighten your rows in prayer, otherwise Allah, the Exalted, will turn your faces."

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If people knew how much reward there is in calling the Adhan and in praying in the first row, and they had no other way except to draw lots for it, then they would certainly draw lots for it. And if people knew how much reward there is in coming early for the prayer, they would surely compete with one another to get ahead. And if people knew how much reward there is in the ‘Isha and Fajr prayers, they would certainly come to them even if they had to crawl.

Sayyiduna Sahl bin Sa’d Sa’idi رضي الله عنه narrates that several men used to pray with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, tying their lower garments around their necks like children, and the women were instructed (by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم) not to raise their heads (from prostration) until the men had sat up straight.