Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Abdullah says that do not go ahead of your imam in bowing (ruku) and prostration (sajdah). When any one of you raises his head while the imam is still in prostration, he should return to prostration and remain there for as long as he did not share in the prostration with the imam.

It is narrated similarly through another chain.

Hazrat Umar says that whoever raises his head before the Imam should return to prostration and remain in prostration for so long that he feels he has made up for the missed part of the prostration.

Hazrat Sulaiman bin Kandeer narrates that I performed prayer with Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them). I raised my head before the Imam, so he caught hold of me and put me back into prostration.

Hasan used to say that if a person raises his head before the imam while the imam is in the state of prostration, then he should return to prostration.

Ibrahim used to say the same.

Hazrat Aamir says that he should return to prostration.

Hazrat Ata says that if you raise your head before the Imam, then return (to your previous position) until you see that the Imam has raised his head before you.

Hazrat Makharik narrates that I passed by Hazrat Abu Dharr at the place of Rabzah; I was intending to perform Hajj. I entered his house and saw that he was performing prayer, and his standing (qiyam) was so brief that in that duration Surah Al-Kawthar and Surah An-Nasr could be recited. He used to perform bowing (ruku) and prostration (sajdah) abundantly. When he completed his prayer, I said, "O Abu Dharr! I saw that you shorten the standing and increase the bowing and prostration; what is the reason for this?" He replied, "I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: Whenever a servant bows or prostrates for Allah, Allah forgives one of his sins and raises him one degree."

Ibn Sirin narrates that people mentioned the prostrations of the Holy Qur'an to Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), so she said: "Whether you perform them considering them obligatory or voluntary, just remember this: whenever a Muslim performs a prostration, Allah Almighty raises him one rank and forgives one of his sins."

Hazrat Mutarrif bin Abdullah bin Shukhair says that I went to the land of Shaam and saw a man performing prayer, bowing and prostrating without any pause in between. I thought to myself that I should sit and find out who this elder is. So I sat down. When he completed his prayer, I said, "O servant of Allah! Did you end your prayer after an odd number of rak‘ahs or even?" He replied, "I am unconcerned with that." I asked, "Who has made you unconcerned?" He said, "The noble angels who record deeds. Because whenever I prostrate, Allah the Exalted raises me one rank and removes one sin from me." I said, "O servant of Allah! Who are you?" He replied, "I am Abu Dharr." I immediately exclaimed, "May Mutarrif’s mother lose him, he is teaching Abu Dharr the Sunnah!" When I arrived at the house of Hazrat Ka‘b, I was told that he had been asking about me. When I met him, I mentioned to him what Hazrat Abu Dharr had said. He replied, "He speaks the truth."

Hazrat Salim bin Abi Al-Ja'd says that it was said to Hazrat Thawban, "Tell us a hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him)." He replied, "People tell lies about me! I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: When a servant prostrates to Allah, Allah raises him one degree and forgives one of his sins."