Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Abu Zubyan narrates that Hazrat Hudhaifa (may Allah be pleased with him) was on a journey. He led the people in prayer, and after the prayer he said, "Either you find another imam or offer prayers separately."

Hazrat Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Either you find another imam or perform the prayer individually.

Hazrat Yahya bin Abi Kathir states that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Strive to move forward for the call to prayer (adhan), but do not move forward for leading the prayer (imamat).

Hazrat Hasan bin Uqbah says that we were with Hazrat Duhak. He said, "Is there anyone among you who will step forward, give the call to prayer (adhan), and lead the prayer?" All the people refused, so we each performed the prayer separately.

Hazrat Asim narrates that Hazrat Abu Ubaidah once led some people in prayer. When the prayer was finished, he said that Satan kept putting this thought into my heart that I am superior to the people standing behind me. Therefore, I will never lead the prayer again.

Ibrahim narrates that Hazrat Hudhaifa (may Allah be pleased with him) used to try to stay behind from leading the prayer. One day, when the prayer was established, Hazrat Abdullah stepped back and Hazrat Hudhaifa (may Allah be pleased with him) had to come forward to lead the prayer. When he completed the prayer, he said, "Either appoint someone else as the imam or pray alone from now on."

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abi Hazil says that an elderly man used to lead people in prayer, but then he stopped leading the prayer. One of his friends asked him why he had stopped leading the prayer. He replied, "I dislike that someone should see me leading the prayer and say, 'This man has been put forward because he is the best among us.' By God! I will not lead the prayer again."

Ibn Aun narrates: I was at a funeral with Ibn Sirin. When we finished with the funeral, the time for prayer arrived. When the iqamah for prayer was called, Ibn Sirin was asked to step forward. He replied, "Let someone among you step forward, and let the one who has recited the Qur'an step forward." So I stepped forward and led the people in prayer. When I finished leading the prayer, I said to myself, "What have I done? I have done something that Ibn Sirin disliked for himself, and I stepped forward!" So I said to Ibn Sirin, "May Allah have mercy on you, you instructed me to do something which you disliked for yourself?" He replied, "I dislike that a passerby passes by and says, 'This is Ibn Sirin who is leading the prayer!'"