Those who disliked leading the prayer

Abu Zabyan said: Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (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 you pray individually."

Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Either you find another imam, or you pray individually."

Yahya bin Abi Kathir said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Hasten forward for the adhan, but do not hasten forward for the imamate."

Hasan bin Uqbah said: We were with al-Dahhak, and he said, "Is there anyone among you who will step forward to give the adhan and lead the prayer?" Everyone refused, so we prayed individually.

Asim said: Abu Ubaydah once led some people in prayer. When he finished the prayer, he said, "Satan kept putting into my heart the thought that I am better than the people standing behind me. So I will never lead the prayer again."

Ibrahim said: Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) used to try to avoid leading the prayer. One day the prayer was begun, and Sayyiduna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) held back, so Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) had to step forward for the prayer. When he had completed the prayer, he said, "Either you make someone else your imam, or you pray alone."

Abdullah bin Abi al-Hudhayl said: An old man used to lead people in prayer, then he stopped leading the prayer. One of his friends asked him, "Why have you stopped leading the prayer?" He said, "I dislike that someone should see me leading the prayer and say: This man has been put forward because he is the best of them. By Allah, I will not lead the prayer from now on."

Ibn Awn said: I was with Ibn Sirin at a funeral. When we had finished with the funeral, the time for prayer came. When the iqamah for the prayer was called, it was said to Ibn Sirin, "Step forward!" He said, "Let one of you step forward, and let only someone who has read the Qur'an step forward." Then he said to me, "Step forward." So I stepped forward and led the people in prayer. When I had finished leading the prayer, I said to myself: What have I done? The very thing Ibn Sirin disliked for himself, I went and did, and I stepped forward ahead of him! So I said to Ibn Sirin, "May Allah Almighty have mercy on you; you ordered me to do something that you disliked for yourself?" He said, "I dislike that a passer-by should pass and say: This is Ibn Sirin leading the prayer!"