Foreword

When you lead the prayer, you should make it short because, among those offering salat there may be some who are infirm, sick and old. But when you offer individual prayers, you may lengthen them as much as you wish. HADITH OF AL-BUKHARI ON THE AUTHORITY OF ABU HURAYRAH. 23 When I stand for salat, I want to offer a long prayer, but I shorten it when I hear a child’s cry, because I do not want to cause anxiety to the mother. HADITH OF AL-BUKHARI ON THE AUTHORITY OF ABU QATADAH.