The aforesaid tradition has also been transmitted by Malik through a different chain of narrators. He (Abd Al Rahman bin Mahdi) did not mention the words “pillars”. This version adds “He then prayed and there was a distance of three cubits between him and the qiblah. ”

Abd Allaah bin Umar said “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the Kaabah and along with him entered Usamah bin Zaid, Uthman bin Talhah Al Hajabi and Bilal. He then closed the door and stayed there. Abdullah bin Umar said “I asked Bilal when he came out What did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ do (there)? He replied “He stood with a pillar on his left, two pillars on his right, and three pillars behind him. At that time the House (the Kaabah) stood on six pillars. He then prayed.

This tradition has also been transmitted by Ibn Umar through a different chain of narrators like the one narrated by Al Qanabi. This version has “ I forgot to ask the number of rak’ahs he offered.

Abd Al Rahman bin Safwan said “I asked Umar bin Al Khattab How did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ do when he entered the Kaabah? He said “He offered two rak’ahs of prayer. ”