Jibrīl came down and led me in prayer, and I prayed with him, then I prayed with him, then I prayed with him, then I prayed with him, then I prayed with him

Explanation

Jibrīl (peace be upon him) used to descend with revelation upon the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He used to come in different forms and guises. In this Hadīth, he descended and led him in the five daily prayers in order to show him their designated time. The story wherein the Hadīth was reported reads as follows: ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azīz delayed the ‘Asr prayer a bit after its time. ‘Urwah showed his disapproval of such delay. He told him that Jibrīl came down and led the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in prayer. ‘Umar was surprised to hear that and instructed ‘Urwah to think carefully of what he was saying and to make sure not to say anything without proof. ‘Urwah told him that he heard Bashīr ibn Abi Mas‘ūd, who heard Abu Mas‘ūd al-Badri, who heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say that Jibrīl came down and led him in prayer in every single prayer of the five daily prayers. He added that he heard this Hadīth and thus learned how to pray, as well as the prayer's designated times, as well as its essential elements.

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