What is Sunan an-Nasa'i 1203 about?

This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i (Book of The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer)), narrated by It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said:, states: ""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.""

Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sunan an-Nasa'i, which contains 5,768 hadiths across 52 books. It is hadith number 1203 in the Book of The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer).

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

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Sunan an-Nasa'i #1203

The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer)

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو عَمَّارٍ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ حُرَيْثٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْفَضْلُ بْنُ مُوسَى، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي هِنْدٍ، عَنْ ثَوْرِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَلْتَفِتُ فِي صَلاَتِهِ يَمِينًا وَشِمَالاً وَلاَ يَلْوِي عُنُقَهُ خَلْفَ ظَهْرِهِ ‏.‏

"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."

Narrated by It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said:

Context

Ibn 'Abbas narrates how the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) would turn to his right and left during prayer, while maintaining a proper posture without twisting his neck. This practice emphasizes the importance of attentiveness and awareness during prayer, ensuring that one remains focused on the act of worship.

Modern Application

In our daily prayers, maintaining focus and awareness is crucial. This hadith encourages us to be present and attentive, reminding us to avoid distractions and fully engage in our spiritual practice, enhancing our connection with Allah.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Prophetic Conduct because it illustrates the manner in which the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) conducted himself during prayer.

Prayer Prophetic Conduct

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ عَبَسَ

Abasa (He frowned)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ

The Prophet frowned and turned away

سُورَةُ النَّجۡمِ

An-Najm (The Star)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

مَا زَاغَ ٱلْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ

The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit].

سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

قَدْ نَرَىٰ تَقَلُّبَ وَجْهِكَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ ۖ فَلَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ قِبْلَةًۭ تَرْضَىٰهَا ۚ فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۚ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُۥ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ لَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَٰفِلٍ عَمَّا يَعْمَلُونَ

We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Muhammad], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a qiblah with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer]. Indeed, those who have been given the Scripture well know that it is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do.

وَمِنْ حَيْثُ خَرَجْتَ فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

So from wherever you go out [for prayer, O Muhammad] turn your face toward al- Masjid al-Haram, and indeed, it is the truth from your Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.

سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ

An-Nisaa (The Women)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قِيَٰمًۭا وَقُعُودًۭا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا ٱطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَٰبًۭا مَّوْقُوتًۭا

And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.

Common Words

82 total64 unique13 repeated

ٱلله4x

وما3x

وجهك3x

ٱلصلوة3x

ما2x

فول2x

شطر2x

ٱلمسجد2x

ٱلحرام2x

من2x

بغفل2x

عما2x

فإذا2x

بسم1x

ٱلرحمن1x

ٱلرحيم1x

عبس1x

وتولى1x

زاغ1x

ٱلبصر1x

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About Sunan an-Nasa'i

This hadith is #1203 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer). It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said:.

Browse all Sunan an-Nasa'i All Hadith Collections

Sunan an-Nasa'i #1203

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sunan an-Nasa'i

About This Hadith