SECTION ON PRAYER · 92 – PERFORMING PRAYER ON A MAT
657 – It is narrated from Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him): A man from the Ansār said, "O Messenger of Allah (the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him), I am a large-bodied man. I am not able to pray with you." He then prepared food for the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) and invited him to his house. He said, "You pray, so that I may see how you pray and then follow you accordingly." They sprinkled water on one side of their mat and spread it out for the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him). The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) stood and prayed two rak‘ahs there. The son of Jārūd said to Anas, the son of Mālik, "Did the Prophet always perform the forenoon (duha) prayer?" Anas replied, "I did not see him perform it except on that day." [423]
658 – From Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) used to visit Umm Sulaym. Sometimes, the time for prayer would come while he was in her house. We had a mat made of palm fiber. We would sprinkle water on it, and the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) would pray on it. [424]
659 – From Mughirah ibn Shu‘bah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) would pray on a mat and on tanned leather.
EXPLANATION
Firwah: No matter what kind of skin it is made from, it is called a fur. The skin of the head is also called firwah. These noble hadiths indicate that it is permissible to perform prayer on things other than earth.