Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sent me (on an errand) while he was going to Banu Mustaliq. I came to him and he was engaged in prayer on the back of his camel. I talked to him and he gestured to me With his hand, and Zuhair gestured with his hand. I then again talked and he again (gestured to me with his hand). Zuhair pointed with his hand towards the ground. I heard him (the Holy Prophet) reciting the Qur’an and making a sign with his head. When he com- pleted the prayer he sa’id: What have you done (with regard to that business) for which I sent you? I could not talk with you but for the fact that I was engaged in prayer. Zuhair told that Abu Zubair was sitting with his face turned towards Qibla (as he transmitted this hadith). Abu Zuhair pointed towards Banu Mustaliq with his hand and the direction to which he pointed with his hand was not towards the Ka’ba.
Hadith In Arabic Text :
حدثنا أحمد بن يونس، حدثنا زهير، حدثني أبو الزبير، عن جابر، قال أرسلني رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو منطلق إلى بني المصطلق فأتيته وهو يصلي على بعيره فكلمته فقال لي بيده هكذا – وأومأ زهير بيده – ثم كلمته فقال لي هكذا – فأومأ زهير أيضا بيده نحو الأرض – وأنا أسمعه يقرأ يومئ برأسه فلما فرغ قال ” ما فعلت في الذي أرسلتك له فإنه لم يمنعني أن أكلمك إلا أني كنت أصلي ” . قال زهير وأبو الزبير جالس مستقبل الكعبة فقال بيده أبو الزبير إلى بني المصطلق فقال بيده إلى غير الكعبة .
Chapter : The Book of Mosques and Places of Prayer – كتاب الْمَسَاجِدِ وَمَوَاضِعِ الصَّلاَةِ