Musnad Ishaq

Benefits:
From the mentioned hadith, it is understood that the follower (muqtadi) should not raise his head before the imam in bowing (ruku‘) or prostration (sujud). It is also understood that, generally, Allah Ta‘ala does not punish sins in this world, but it is also possible that He may punish some sins in this world. Therefore, for Allah Dhu’l-Jalal, transforming someone’s head or face into that of a donkey is not difficult at all. In "al-Mu‘jam al-Awsat" of al-Tabarani, it is mentioned that Allah Ta‘ala may turn his head into the head of a dog.

In the marginal notes of the instructional edition of Mishkat al-Sharif, an incident is written that a very great muhaddith, when teaching the above hadith, said: "I have doubt about this hadith—how is it possible that someone’s head could become that of a donkey?" So, as an experiment, he raised his head before the imam in prayer, and indeed, his head became that of a donkey. Then, whenever he would leave the mosque or madrasa, he would cover his head out of fear that people would say, "The donkey has come." (This incident is written under the last hadith of the first section of the chapter "What is upon the follower" in Mishkat.)

May Allah Dhu’l-Jalal grant us the ability to act upon the noble Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) hadiths and protect us from doubting them. Amin.