Those Scholars Who Say to Follow the Imam

Hazrat Abdullah says that the Imam is appointed so that he may be followed. When he says the takbeer, you should also say the takbeer. When he goes into ruku, you should also go into ruku. When he goes into sajdah, you should also go into sajdah. He should be the first to raise his head and the first to place his head.

Hazrat Salman says that whoever raises his head before the Imam or places his head before the Imam, his forehead is in the hand of Satan; it is he who raises it and it is he who places it down.

Hazrat Abu Huraira states that whoever raises his head before the Imam or places his head before the Imam, his forehead is in the hand of Satan.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Why does the person who raises his head before the Imam not fear that his face may be transformed into that of a donkey?

Hazrat Abdullah says: Why does the one who raises his head before the Imam not fear that his head may be transformed into that of a dog?

Hazrat Bara bin Azib narrates that we used to pray behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When we rose from bowing (ruku‘), we would remain standing in the rows, and when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went into prostration (sajdah), we would also follow him and go into prostration.

It is narrated from Hazrat Muhammad bin Yahya bin Haban that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Because of the increase in my age, flesh has increased on my body. Do not go ahead of me in bowing (ruku) and prostration (sajdah). When going into ruku, I may go ahead of you, but when rising from ruku, you will catch up with me. When going into sajdah, I may go ahead of you, but when rising from sajdah, you will catch up with me.

The same is narrated from Hazrat Muawiyah.

Hazrat Abdullah says: Do not go ahead of your Imam in bowing (ruku) and prostration (sajdah).

Hazrat Ibn Abi Laila says that whoever bows (in ruku) before the imam or prostrates (in sajda) before the imam while praying with the imam, he is not considered to be with the imam.

Hazrat Khams says that I prayed with Hazrat Abu Qilabah; he would not perform any action until the Imam did it first.

Hazrat Bara bin Azib narrates that when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would raise his head from bowing (ruku‘), none of us would bend our backs (for prostration) until he (the Prophet) had gone into prostration (sajdah). When he performed prostration, we would also follow him.

Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that one day the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led us in prayer. When he finished the prayer, he turned his blessed face towards us and said: O people! I am your imam, so do not go ahead of me in bowing, prostration, standing, or salutation. I see you both in front of me and behind me.

Ibn Aun reports that Muhammad considered it undesirable for anyone to say a takbeer before the imam.

Hazrat Hattan bin Abdullah narrates that Hazrat Abu Musa led us in prayer. When he finished the prayer, he said that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered a sermon to us, in which he explained the religion to us and taught us how to pray. In it, he said: When the Imam says the takbeer, you should also say the takbeer. When the Imam bows (for ruku), you should also bow. Because the Imam bows before you and raises his head before you.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) bin Mudrik narrates that when Hazrat Mu'adh came to Yemen, he taught the people there knowledge and said, "You must pray in the same way as I pray." So, when he was about to go into prostration, a branch of a tree struck his eye. He broke off that branch, and then all the people rushed to the tree and began breaking its branches. When Hazrat Mu'adh completed the prayer, he said, "I broke the branch because it caused me discomfort when I was going into prostration. However, the obedience you have shown is commendable."

Hazrat Nafi' bin Jubair bin Mut'im narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Due to old age, the flesh of my body has increased, so do not go ahead of me in standing (qiyam) and prostration (sajdah).