The Devils Deception by Imam Ibn AL-Jawzi

T H E D E V I L ' S
D E C E P T I O N S
Section Two
Not Performing Sunnahs
(non-obligatory actions)
Iblis deceived some people causing them not to perform many of
the Sunnah. Some used to pray congregational prayers, but not in
the first rows. They said that Allah only intended the nearness of
the heart not the physical nearness.
Others do notputone hand on the other in prayer saying: I do not
want to show humility of which my heart is empty.
This is a result of a lack of knowledge. In both Bukhari and Muslim
the Prophet () said: "If people knew what was in the adhdn and
the first row of the prayer and could only draw lots for it, they would
draw lots."126
And he () said: "The best of men's ranks (in prayer) are those
most in front, and the worst are those farthest back."127
As for putting one hand on the other in prayer, it is from the
Sunnah. Abu lliwud narrated that Ibn al-Zubayr (rat#JAl!dhu 'anhuma)
said: "Putting one hand over the other is from the Sunnah."128
And Ibn Mas(ud (rat#JAl!dhu 'anhu) was once praying with his left
hand over his right, so the Prophet() switched them around.129
126
Bukhari, 2/1 16 and Muslim #1914.
127
Muslim #440.
128
Abii Dawiid, #754.
129
Abii Dawiid, #755.
240