"We used to go to the marketplace in the morning at the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and we would pass through the Masjid and pray there."
Sunan an-Nasa'i Book 8, Hadith 45
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"I heard Ka'b bin Malik telling the story of when he stayed behind from going out on the campaign of Tabuk with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He said: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came back in the morning, and when he came back from a journey he would go to the Masjid first and pray two Rak'ahs there, then he would sit to (meet with) the people. When he did that, those who had stayed behind came to him and started giving their excuses, swearing by Allah. There were eighty-odd men, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) accepted what they declared and accepted their oaths of allegiance; he prayed for forgiveness for them and left whatever was in their hearts to Allah. Then when I came and greeted him, he smiled as one who is angry, then he said: 'Come here.' So I came and sat in front of him, and he said: 'What kept you behind? Did you not buy a mount?' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, if I were to sit before anyone other than you of those who hold high positions in this world, I would find a way to avoid his anger. I am an eloquent man but, by Allah, I know that if I were to tell you a lie today to make you pleased with me, Allah would soon make you angry with me, but if I tell you the truth, it will make you angry with me, but I will still have the hope that Allah may forgive me. I have never been in a better position, physically or financially, than the time when I stayed behind and did not join you.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'This man has spoken the truth. Go away until Allah decides concerning you.' So I got up and went away." This is an abridged version of narration.
It is this which the author cited the narration for. While the absence of the mention of a thing - in this case prayer - is not a proof that it does not exist.
Sunan an-Nasa'i Book 8, Hadith 44 Next Hadith → "The angels send Salah upon any one of you so long as he is in the place where he prays, and so long as he does not invalidate his ablution, (saying): 'O Allah, forgive him, O Allah, have mercy on him.'"
Sunan an-Nasa'i Book 8, Hadith 46
It is this which the author cited the narration for. While the absence of the mention of a thing - in this case prayer - is not a proof that it does not exist.
Sunan an-Nasa'i Book 8, Hadith 44 Next Hadith → "The angels send Salah upon any one of you so long as he is in the place where he prays, and so long as he does not invalidate his ablution, (saying): 'O Allah, forgive him, O Allah, have mercy on him.'"
Sunan an-Nasa'i Book 8, Hadith 46