Sahl bin Sa`d As-Sa`idi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: There was some quarrel among the members of Banu `Amr bin `Auf. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) went with some of his Companions to bring about peace between them and he was detained. The time for Salat approached and Bilal (May Allah be pleased with them) went to Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) and said to him: "Messenger of Allah (PBUH) has got late and it is the time for Salat. Will you lead Salat?" He said: "Yes, if you desire". Bilal (May Allah be pleased with him) proclaimed the Adhan and then pronounced Iqamah. Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) stepped forward and commenced As-Salat. (He recited Takbir and the people followed him). In the meantime, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) arrived and, passing through the rows, took his stand in the first row. The people started clapping. It was the habit of Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) that whenever he started praying, he would never look round. He paid no heed (to the clapping). When the clapping increased, he turned round and saw Messenger of Allah (PBUH). He (the Prophet (PBUH)) beckoned him to continue performing Salat. But Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) raised his hands and praised Allah. Then he retreated, taking his steps backwards. When Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saw that, he went ahead and led Salat. When he finished Salat, he faced the congregation and said, "Why do you clap when something happens during the Salat. Clapping is only for women. If something happens in the course of Salat you should say, Subhan Allah. It is bound to attract attention. And you, Abu Bakr, what prevented you from carrying on with Salat, after I beckoned to do so?" He said, "It was not becoming for the son of Abu Quhafah to lead Salat in the presence of Messenger of Allah (PBUH)".[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary:
1. Banu `Amr bin `Auf was a big tribe of Aus which consisted of many families, they lived in Quba. A quarrel arose among them on some issue and they used stones and brickbats against each other. When the Prophet (PBUH) came to know about it, he personally went to them. The Hadith shows how important it is to bring about reconciliation amongst Muslims who are estranged from each other so that tension among them is not aggravated. If efforts are not made for reconciliation at the initial stages, the conflict will be escalated and then it will become difficult to resolve it. 2. Salat can be offered behind two Imam, one after the other. 3. In the course of Salat if Imam makes an error, his followers should bring it to his attentions by saying the words "Subhan Allah" aloud. Women may clap only. 4. In case of need, it is permissible in Salat to turn one's face slightly, to look with glances and move a little onward or backward. Such an act does not constitute a defect which renders the prayer invalid.
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