Sunan ad-Darimi

Hattan bin Abdullah Raqashi said: Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) led us in one of the two ‘Isha prayers (i.e., Maghrib or ‘Isha), and a man from the congregation said: “Prayer has been made obligatory along with righteousness and zakat.” When Sayyiduna Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) finished the prayer, he asked: “Who said this statement?” Everyone remained silent, so Sayyiduna Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “O Hattan! Perhaps you were the one who said this?” I replied: “No, I did not say (that prayer was made obligatory along with righteousness), and how could I say it? I was afraid that you would reprimand me or become displeased with me.” A man said: “I was the one who said this phrase, and my intention was only good, meaning that when a man prays, he should also do good and give zakat (and Allah knows best).” Then Sayyiduna Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Do you not know what you utter in your prayer? The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered a sermon to us, taught us the prayer, and explained his Sunnah.” The narrator said: “I think he said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘When the iqamah for prayer is given, let one of you lead the prayer. When he, the imam, says «الله اكبر», you should also say «الله اكبر», and when he says «غير المغضوب عليهم ولا الضالين», you should say Ameen, Allah will accept it. Then when he says «الله اكبر» and bows (for ruku‘), you should also say «الله اكبر» and go into ruku‘. Be mindful that the imam will go into ruku‘ before you, and you will follow the imam and go into ruku‘ after him, and you will raise your heads from ruku‘, and the imam will raise his head before you (from ruku‘).’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘Your doing so is in accordance with the imam’s ruku‘ and so on. So when the imam says «سمع الله لمن حمده», you should say «اللهم ربنا ولك الحمد», or he said: say «ربنا لك الحمد», because Allah, the Exalted, has said by the tongue of His Prophet «سمع الله لمن حمده» (meaning Allah has heard or accepted the supplication of the one who praised Him). Then when the imam says «الله اكبر» and goes into prostration, you should also say «الله اكبر» and go into prostration. The imam will go into prostration before you and will raise his head from prostration before you.’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘When the imam does so, you should do likewise. Then when the imam sits in the (tashahhud) sitting, you should be the first to say «اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ اَلطَّيِّبَاتُ اَلصَّلَوَاتُ لِلّٰھِ السَّلَامُ», or: «سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ», or: «سَلَامٌ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللّٰهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ».’”