(781) Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, entered the masjid and a person also entered therein and offered prayer, and then came and paid salutation to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, returned his salutation and said: Go back and pray, for you have not offered the prayer. He again prayed as he had prayed before, and came to the Apostle of Allah, peace be upon him, and saluted him. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, returned his salutation and said: Go back and pray, for you have not offered the prayer. This (act of repeating the prayer) was done three times. Upon this the person said: By Him Who has sent you with Truth, whatever better I can do than this, please teach me. He (the Holy Prophet) said: When you get up to pray, recite takbir, and then recite whatever you conveniently can from the Quran, then bow down and remain quietly in that position, then raise yourself and stand erect; then prostrate yourself and remain quietly in that attitude; then raise yourself and sit quietly; and do that throughout all your prayers.1
1Prayer is the highest act of devotion to Allah. It should, therefore, be performed not in haste but with perfect tranquility of mind.