Muhammad bin Rafa'i محمد بن رافع · The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer)

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to turn to his right and left when praying, but he did not twist his neck to look behind him."

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed one day and said the salam after two rak'ahs, then he left. Dhul-Shimalain caught up with him and said: "O Messenger of Alah, has the prayer been shortened or did you forget?" He said: "The prayer has not been shortened, and I did not forget." He said: "Yes, by the One Who sent you with the truth." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Is Dhul-Yadain speaking the truth?" They said: 'Yes.' So he led…

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said the salam after three rak'ahs of 'Asr, then he entered his house. A man called Al-Khibaq stood up and said: 'Has the prayer been shortened, O Messenger of Allah?' He came out angry, dragging his upper garment and said: 'Is he speaking the truth?' They said: 'Yes.' So he stood and prayed that rak'ah, then he said the salam, then prostrated twice, then he said the salam (again)."

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "If one of you is not sure about his prayer, let him forget about what he is unsure of and complete his prayer on the basis of what he is sure of. When he is sure that he has completed it, let him prostrate twice while he is sitting. Then if he has prayed five (rak'ahs), they (the two prostrations) will make his prayer even-numbered, and if he had prayed four, they will annoy and humiliate…

"The Prophet(ﷺ) prayed Zuhr with five rak'ahs, and it was said to him: 'Has something been added to the prayer?' He said: 'Why are you asking?' They said: 'You prayed five.' So he turned around and prostrated twice."

"Ibn Umar saw me playing with the pebbles while praying. When he finished (praying), he told me not to do that and said: 'Do what the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to do.' I said: 'What did he used to do?' He said: 'When he sat during the prayer, he placed his right hand on his thigh and clenched all his fingers, and pointed with the finger that is next to the thumb, and he put his left hand on…