◈ Rules for Changing the Imam
Stepping Forward of a Follower Behind the Imam
If the Imam becomes unable to complete the prayer for any reason, the follower standing directly behind him should step forward and complete the Imamah.
Sayyiduna ‘Amr ibn Maymun رحمه الله narrates:
"When Sayyiduna ‘Umar al-Farooq رضي الله عنه was attacked during the prayer, he brought forward Sayyiduna ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Awf رضي الله عنه, and he completed the prayer."
(Bukhari, Virtues of the Companions, The Story of the Pledge, 3707)
◈ The Imam Facing the Congregation After Prayer
The Practice of the Noble Prophet ﷺ
Sayyiduna Samurah ibn Jundub رضي الله عنه narrates:
"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished the prayer, he would turn and face us while sitting."
(Bukhari, Adhan, Chapter: The Imam Faces the People When He Says Salam, 845; Muslim, Book of Dreams, 5722)
Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه says:
"I most often saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ turning to his right side."
(Muslim, Prayer of the Traveller, Chapter: Permissibility of Leaving from Prayer to the Right or Left, 707)
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه says:
"Turn only to the right side after prayer, and do not assign a portion for Shaytan. Indeed, I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ turn to the left side as well."
(Bukhari, Adhan, Chapter: Turning to the Right or Left, 852; Muslim, 707)
Ruling on Turning to the Right or Left
The Imam should not make it obligatory to turn only to one side after prayer.
Turning sometimes to the right and sometimes to the left is permissible, though turning to the right is preferable.
Sayyiduna al-Bara’ رضي الله عنه narrates:
"When we prayed behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, we liked to stand on his right side so that he would face us after the prayer."
(Muslim, Prayer of the Traveller, Chapter: Recommendation for the Imam’s Right Side, 907)
◈ Women Leaving the Mosque Before Men
Sayyidah Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها narrates:
"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would say Salam, the women would immediately stand up and leave, while the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the male companions remained seated for a while. Then, when the Prophet ﷺ stood, the companions would also stand, and by that time, the women had already entered their homes."
(Bukhari, Adhan, Chapter: The Taslim, 872, 880)
◈ Rules of Following the Imam
The Method of Following the Imam
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Do not precede the Imam! When he says Takbir, you also say Takbir. When he says وَلاَ الضَّآلِیْنَ, then say Ameen after him. When he bows (Ruku‘), you also bow, and when he says سَمِعَ اللّٰہُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَہُ, you should say اَللّٰہُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَکَ الْحَمْدُ."
(Muslim, Prayer, Chapter: Prohibition of Preceding the Imam in Takbir, 414)
Praying According to the Imam’s Condition
Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه says:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ fell from a horse and injured his right side, so he prayed one prayer sitting, and we also prayed sitting behind him. Later, he said:
‘The Imam is appointed only to be followed. When he stands, you also stand; when he bows, you also bow; when he rises, you also rise; and when he prays sitting, you also pray sitting.’"
(Bukhari, 689; Muslim, 413)
The Imam’s Illness and the Followers Standing
According to Imam al-Bukhari رحمه الله, if the Imam in the early stage of illness prays sitting, the followers should also pray sitting.
However, during the final illness of the Prophet ﷺ, he prayed sitting while the companions prayed standing.
Imam al-Bukhari رحمه الله says:
"His statement that when the Imam prays sitting, the followers should also sit, was during the early stage of illness. In his final illness, the Prophet ﷺ prayed sitting and did not order the people to sit; therefore, his final practice should be adopted."
(Bukhari, Adhan, Chapter: The Imam Is Appointed to Be Followed, 689)
The Prophet’s ﷺ Practice of Following an Imam
During the illness of the Prophet ﷺ, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq رضي الله عنه led the prayer.
One day when the Prophet ﷺ felt better, he came to the Masjid with the support of two companions while Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه was leading the congregation.
The Prophet ﷺ indicated that Abu Bakr should not step back. Then, the Prophet ﷺ sat on Abu Bakr’s left side and prayed sitting, while Abu Bakr remained standing and followed the Prophet ﷺ. The companions prayed behind Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, following him.
This was the Zuhr prayer.
(Bukhari, 646; Muslim, Prayer, Chapter: The Imam Appointing Another If He Faces a Difficulty, 413)
Waiting Until the Imam Completes the Prostration
Sayyiduna al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib رضي الله عنه says:
"When we prayed behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and he said سَمِعَ اللّٰہُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَہُ, we would remain standing until he placed his forehead on the ground, then we would go into prostration."
(Bukhari, 802; Muslim, Prayer, Chapter: Following the Imam and Acting After Him, 474)
The Prophet’s ﷺ Stern Warning
"Do not bow before the Imam, nor prostrate, nor stand, nor say Salam before him."
(Muslim, Prayer, Chapter: Prohibition of Preceding the Imam in Ruku‘, Sujud, and the Like, 624)
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrates:
"Does the one who raises his head from prostration before the Imam not fear that Allah may turn his head into that of a donkey, or transform his appearance into that of a donkey?"
(Bukhari, Adhan, Chapter: Sin of the One Who Raises His Head Before the Imam, 691; Muslim, 427)
