Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded us to perform four rak‘ahs after Jumu‘ah. The narrator named Suhail says: My father told me that if you do not perform four rak‘ahs in the Sacred Mosque, then perform two rak‘ahs in the mosque and two rak‘ahs at your home.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates: The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer the two rak'ahs after Maghrib and the two rak'ahs after Jumu'ah only in his house.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Zubair (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Two rak'ahs should be performed before every obligatory prayer."

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: When the muezzin would give the call to prayer, the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would hasten towards the pillars to perform prayer, so that when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to them, they would be in that state. Those companions used to perform two rak‘ahs before Maghrib as well, even though there was not much interval between the adhan and the iqamah.

Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When a person completes his prayer in the mosque, he should also keep a portion (of prayer) for his home, for Allah the Exalted will place goodness in his house because of his offering of prayer."

Sayyiduna Zaid bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had a chamber made of matting constructed during the month of Ramadan. He used to offer voluntary prayers in it at night. Some people from among his companions followed his prayer and offered prayers as well. When he became aware of the people (gathering), he began to sit (i.e., he would not go to them for prayer). The narrator says: Then the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) went to them. He said: I realized (what was happening) when I saw your behavior. O people! Offer your prayers in your homes, for the best prayer a person offers is that which he offers in his home, except for the obligatory prayer, for which the ruling is different.

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) entered the mosque and saw a rope hanging between two pillars. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked: Whose is this? The people replied: This belongs to Sayyidah Zainab (may Allah be pleased with her). She performs prayer, and when she becomes tired, she holds onto it. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Untie it. Then he said: A person should pray when he is active and energetic; if he feels tired or his heart is not inclined, then he should sit down.

Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) entered the mosque and saw a rope tied between two pillars. He inquired: What is this? The people replied: This is for such-and-such woman; when she performs prayer and becomes tired, she holds on to it. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: She should pray as long as she is energetic; when she fears that sleep is overcoming her, then she should go to sleep.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar narrates this statement of the Noble Prophet: The (voluntary) prayers of the night and day will be performed two by two.

Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When any person enters the mosque, he should not sit until he has performed two rak‘ahs."