Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 7333 — Those who said: follow the imam

Sayyiduna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The imam is appointed only to be followed. When he says the takbir, you say the takbir too; when he bows, you bow too; when he prostrates, you prostrate too. He is the first to raise his head and the first to put it down.