Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Ash'ath narrates that Hazrat Aswad bin Hilal was asked to step forward and lead the prayer. He replied, "Are you content with my leadership in prayer?"

Hazrat Iyzar bin Jarwal says that some people complained to Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) about their Imam, so Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him, "You are a very foolish man; you lead people in prayer and they are not pleased with you."

Hasan narrates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever leads some people in prayer and they are not pleased with his leadership, then his prayer does not rise above his head.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Harith says that there are three people whose prayer does not go above their heads. First, the imam who leads people in prayer and they are not pleased with his leadership. Second, the woman who disobeys her husband. Third, the slave who has run away from his master.

Hazrat Amr bin Harith says that it was said that the severest punishment will be for these people: the woman who disobeys her husband and the leader with whom people are not pleased.

It is narrated from Hasan that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: There are three people whose prayer is not accepted: one is the person who leads people in prayer but they are not pleased with his leadership; the second is the slave who runs away from his master until he returns; and the woman who disobeys her husband and stays away from him in anger.

Hazrat Qasim bin Mukhaymirah narrates that some people asked Hazrat Salman to lead the prayer. He refused to lead, but upon their insistence, he led them in prayer. When the prayer was finished, Hazrat Salman asked, "Are you all pleased with my leading the prayer?" They replied, "We are pleased." Hazrat Salman said, "All praise is due to Allah. I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say: The prayers of three people are not accepted: first, a woman who leaves her house without her husband's permission; second, a slave who runs away from his master; and third, a person who leads people in prayer while they are not pleased with him."

Hazrat Abu Umamah narrates that the prayers of three people do not rise above their heads: one, the slave who has run away from his master; second, the woman who spends the night while her husband is displeased with her; and third, the imam who leads people in prayer but the people are not pleased with him.