Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 7324 — The imam praying sitting

Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: Once the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) became somewhat ill, and some of his Companions came to visit him. In the meantime the time of prayer arrived, so he led them in prayer sitting. They began to pray standing, so he (peace and blessings be upon him) gestured to them to pray sitting, and they sat down. When he (peace and blessings be upon him) completed the prayer, he said: "The imam is appointed only to be followed. When he bows, you bow too; when he raises his head from bowing, you raise your heads from bowing too; and when he prays sitting, you also pray sitting."