Hazrat Ata narrates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was delivering a sermon when he (peace and blessings be upon him) said to the people: Sit down! Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) heard this. At that time, he was at the door. So he sat down. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: O Abdullah! Come inside.

Hazrat Qais narrates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was delivering a sermon when my father arrived. He stood in front of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the sun. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave instructions regarding him, so he was moved to the shade.

Hazrat Aamir says that people used to greet the Imam with salaam while he was on the pulpit. And the Imam would also reply.

Hazrat Ibn Sirin narrates that people used to seek permission from the Imam while the Imam was on the pulpit. Then, when Ziyad was the caliph and this seeking of permission became frequent, Ziyad said: Whoever places his hand on his nose, this will be considered as permission (in his stead).

Hazrat Jabir narrates that Hazrat Sulaik Ghatafani came while the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was delivering the sermon. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked him, "Have you offered the prayer?" He replied, "No!" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Offer two rak‘ahs with brevity." And (Imam) Abu Hanifa's opinion has been mentioned that: The Imam should not converse with anyone during his sermon.

Hazrat Hisham bin Ishaq bin Abdullah bin Kinanah narrates from his father that one of the governors sent me to Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) to ask about istisqa (prayer for rain). Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: What prevented the Amir from asking me himself? The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went out in a state of humility, poverty, submissiveness, lowliness, and calmness (walking slowly). Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) performed two rak‘ahs like the Eid prayer and did not deliver a sermon like your sermon.

Hazrat Abu Ishaq says that we went out with Abdullah bin Yazid for Istisqa (prayer for rain). He led us in two rak'ahs, and behind him was Hazrat Zaid bin Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) as well.

Hazrat Muhammad bin Hilal narrates that he was present with Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz during Istisqa, so he began the prayer before the sermon. The narrator says that he performed Istisqa and turned his cloak inside out.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Zaid, who is a companion of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), that he saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on the day when he went out for Istisqa (prayer for rain). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) turned his back towards the people and faced the Qiblah and supplicated. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) turned his cloak inside out. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led two units of prayer and recited aloud in those units. And it is mentioned as the saying of (Imam) Abu Hanifa that: The prayer of Istisqa should not be performed in congregation, nor should there be a sermon in it.

It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Jibreel led me in prayer twice at the House of Allah. When the twilight disappeared, he led me in the ‘Isha prayer. And on the next day, he led me in the ‘Isha prayer at the first third of the night and said: This is the time (of prayer) of the Prophets before you. And the time (for ‘Isha) is between these two (specified) times.