SECTION ON PRAYER · 88 – A MAN PRAYING WITH HIS HAIR TIED IN A BUN
Abu Sa’id reported from his father, saying: I saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)’s freed slave, Abu Rafi’, encounter Hasan, the son of Ali, while he was praying standing. Hasan had gathered his braids into a knot on the back of his head. Abu Rafi’ untied the braids. Hasan looked at him angrily. Abu Rafi’ said to him: Do not be angry; return to your prayer. For I heard the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) say, “These – that is, the knots made on the head – are a seat for Satan.”
From the mawla of Abdullah ibn Abbas:
Abdullah ibn Abbas saw his freedman, Abdullah ibn Harith, praying with his hair tied up in a bun. He immediately stood behind him, untying the bun, and another person affirmed (his action). When Abdullah finished the prayer, he turned to Ibn Abbas and asked him, “What did you say to me?” Ibn Abbas replied, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, say: ‘The situation of the one who prays with a bun is like that of the one whose hands are bound behind him.’” [418]