Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "This verse was revealed specifically regarding voluntary prayers, meaning that whichever direction your mount faces, you may perform prayer facing that way."

Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: We were with the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on a journey and during that time darkness fell. We became very worried and there was a difference among us regarding the direction of the Qiblah. Each of us prayed facing the direction he preferred, and some people even marked a sign in front of them so that we would remember our place. Later, we mentioned this to the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he did not order us to repeat the prayer. He said: "Your prayer is valid." This is narrated similarly from the narrator named Muhammad bin Salim, while some other narrators have transmitted it through another chain, and both these narrators are weak.

Abdullah bin Aamir (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates from his father: Once, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), we performed prayer during a journey on an extremely dark night. We could not determine the direction of the Qiblah. Each of us prayed facing the direction he was turned towards. The next day, we mentioned this to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and regarding this, the following verse was revealed: "Wherever you may be, Allah's presence will be with you."

The same narration is transmitted with another chain, however, in it are these words: Each one of us performed the prayer facing the stones that were in front of him, and when morning came, our faces were not towards the qiblah. We mentioned this to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). (After this, the hadith continues as previously mentioned.)

This narration is also transmitted with another chain of transmission.

Sayyiduna Malik bin Huwairith (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: We came to the service of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). We were young men, and our ages were close to each other. We stayed with him for twenty days. The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was very kind and gentle by nature. He realized that now it was becoming difficult for us to stay away from our homes. He asked us about what we had left behind in our homes. We informed him, so he said: "Now you people return to your homes and stay there. Teach them (your people), treat them well, and perform the prayer as you have seen me performing it. When the time for prayer comes, let one of you give the call to prayer (adhan), and the eldest among you should lead the prayer."

The same narration is also transmitted with another chain from Sayyiduna Malik bin Huwairith on the authority of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), however, in it are these words: "Perform the prayer in the same manner as you have seen me performing the prayer."

Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates this statement of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "When three people are together, then one of them should lead them in prayer (i.e., they should perform the prayer in congregation), and the one most deserving to lead is the one who recites (the Qur'an) best (or is the memorizer of more verses)."

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates: Once, some people were performing the morning prayer in Quba when a man came to them and said: Last night, a command of the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Allah has commanded him to turn his face towards the Ka'bah, so O people! You should also turn towards it. (The narrator says) At that time, their faces were towards Shaam (i.e., Bayt al-Maqdis), so they immediately turned and began to perform the prayer facing the Ka'bah.

Sayyiduna Bara’ (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: After the arrival of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in Madinah Munawwarah, for about sixteen months we used to perform prayers facing Bayt al-Maqdis, following him. Allah Almighty was aware of His Prophet’s desire. He revealed this verse:“We see the turning of your face towards the sky; We shall surely turn you to a Qiblah that will please you, so turn your face towards Masjid al-Haram.”Allah commanded the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to face the Ka‘bah. The narrator says: A man passed by us while we were performing prayer facing Bayt al-Maqdis. He informed us:“Your Prophet has turned his face towards the Ka‘bah.”So we turned our faces towards the Ka‘bah, even though we had already performed two rak‘ahs.