Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) fell from a horse and his right side was injured. We went to visit him, and the time for prayer arrived. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led us in prayer while sitting, and we also prayed sitting behind him. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) completed the prayer, he said that the Imam is appointed so that he may be followed. When he says the takbeer, you should also say the takbeer; when he bows (in ruku‘), you should also bow; when he says "Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah," you should say "Rabbana wa lakal hamd." When he prays sitting, then all of you should also pray sitting.

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that once the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) became ill, so some of his companions came to visit him. Meanwhile, the time for prayer arrived, so he led them in prayer while sitting. They began to pray standing, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gestured to them to pray sitting. Thus, they sat down. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) completed the prayer, he said: "The Imam is appointed so that he may be followed; when he bows, you should also bow; when he raises his head from bowing, you should also raise your heads; and when he prays sitting, you should also pray sitting."

Hazrat Jabir narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once fell from a horse and struck a date palm trunk, which caused an injury to his foot. We went to visit him, and he was praying while sitting in a room of Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). We began to pray standing behind him. Then, when we visited him a second time, he was praying while sitting. We started following him in prayer while standing, so he gestured for us to sit. When he completed the prayer, he said that the Imam is appointed so that he may be followed. When he prays standing, you should also pray standing, and when he prays sitting, you should also pray sitting. When he is sitting, do not stand as the people of Persia do with those whom they honor.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: The imam is appointed so that you may follow him. When he says the takbeer, you should also say the takbeer, and when he recites, you should remain silent. When he says "ghayril maghdubi 'alayhim wa la-d-dallin," you should say "Ameen." When he bows (in ruku'), you should bow. When he says "Sami' Allahu liman hamidah," you should say "Allahumma Rabbana lakal hamd." When he prostrates, you should prostrate, and when he prays sitting, you should also pray sitting.

Hazrat Abu Zubair narrates that Hazrat Jabir once fell ill in Makkah. When his condition improved somewhat, he went out and people went out with him. When they reached a stop on the way, the time for prayer arrived. Hazrat Jabir led the people in prayer while sitting, and the people also performed the prayer sitting behind him.

Hazrat Abu Huraira says that the Imam is the leader. If he performs the prayer standing, then you should also perform the prayer standing. If he performs the prayer sitting, then you should also perform the prayer sitting.

Hazrat Qais bin Qahd narrates that our Imam once became ill, and we performed the prayer according to his manner. Then Hazrat Abu Hurairah said that the Imam is the leader; if he performs the prayer standing, you should also perform it standing, and if he performs the prayer sitting, you should also perform it sitting.

Hazrat Ubaidullah bin Hubairah narrates that Hazrat Usaid bin Hudair used to lead the prayers for his tribe, Banu Abd al-Ashhal. Once he fell ill, and after his illness when he returned, the people said to him, "Please come forward and lead the prayer." He replied, "I do not have the strength to lead the prayer." The people said, "As long as you are here, no one else will lead us in prayer." Hazrat Usaid then said to them, "Then all of you sit down," and he led them in prayer while they were sitting.

Hazrat Qasim bin Muhammad narrates that Hazrat Muawiyah stated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "When the Imam offers prayer sitting, then you should also offer prayer sitting." The people were astonished at Hazrat Muawiyah's statement.

Hazrat Qais bin Qahd narrates that our Imam fell ill, so we sat and offered prayer behind him as followers.