Research Analysis of Two Weak Narrations on Adam (AS) and Other Prophets Leading or Following in Prayer
Source: Fatawa ‘Ilmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitab al-Salah, p. 285
Question:
It is mentioned in Imam al-Suyuti’s book that every Prophet prayed behind a righteous person from his nation. Who did the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Prophet Adam (AS) pray behind?
(Question by: Abid Husain Shah, son of Zahur Shah)
Answer:
Wa ‘alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh!
Alhamdulillah, wa-s-salatu wa-s-salamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba‘d:
Narration Reported by Imam al-Suyuti (رحمه الله)
Al-Hafiz Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti (رحمه الله) states:
"ما قبض نبي قط حتى يصلي خلف رجل صالح من أمته"
(Meaning): No Prophet passed away without praying before his death behind a righteous man from his nation.
(Tarikh al-Khulafa, p. 88)
Analysis of the Chains of Transmission
1st Chain
Found in:
◈ al-Bazzar: al-Bahr al-Zakhar (1/55, Hadith: 3)
◈ Kashf al-Astar (3/211, Hadith: 2591)
◈ Musnad Ahmad (1/13, Hadith: 78)
Chain:
"عن عاصم بن كليب، قال : حدثني شيخ من قريش من بني تيم عن عبدالله بن الزبير عن عمر بن الخطاب عن ابي بكر الصديق رضي الله عنهم"
Status: Weak.
Reason:
◈ Shaykh min Quraysh is unknown (majhool).
◈ The narration of a majhool narrator is weak unless supported by another authentic or Hasan chain.
(Reference: Tahqiq Ahmad Shakir 1/79; al-Mawsu‘ah al-Hadithiyyah, Tahqiq Musnad Ahmad 1/240)
2nd Chain
Found in: Akhbar Isbahan by Abu Nu‘aym al-Asbahani (2/114)
Chain:
"حدثنا ابو محمد بن حيان حدثنا ابو صالح عبدالرحمان بن احمد الزهري الاعرج حدثنا ابراهيم بن احمد النابتي حدثنا علي بن الحسن بن شفيق حدثنا ابو حمزة السكري عن عاصم بن كليب عن عبدالله بن الزبير حدثنا عمر بن الخطاب عن ابي بكر الصديق رضي الله عنهم قال: سمعت النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم يقول: ما بعث الله نبيا الا وقد امه بعض امته"
Reasons for Weakness:
① Between ‘Asim ibn Kulayb and ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr is a majhool shaykh — the narration falls under al-Mazid fi Muttaṣil al-Asanid.
② ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Ahmad al-A‘raj is majhool al-haal.
③ No known authentication for Ibrahim ibn Ahmad al-Nabati.
(Reference: al-Da‘ifah by Shaykh al-Albani, 13/533, Hadith: 6246)
Conclusion on These Two Narrations
Both chains are weak, therefore the question of "Who did Adam (AS) pray behind?" has no reliable basis from authentic narrations.
Authentic Incident of the Prophet ﷺ Praying Behind a Follower
One authentic case is proven:
◈ The Prophet ﷺ arrived late to prayer due to a valid Shari‘ah reason.
◈ During this time, ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Awf (RA) was leading the people in prayer.
◈ The Prophet ﷺ prayed behind him and completed the missed Rak‘ah afterward.
— Sahih Muslim: Kitab al-Taharah, Bab al-Mas-h ‘ala al-Nasiyah wal-‘Imamah (8/274)
— Sunan Ibn Majah: Kitab Iqamat al-Salah, Bab Salat Rasulillah ﷺ Khalfa Rajul min Ummati, Hadith 1236
Important Clarification:
In the Prophet’s ﷺ presence, no one else could be the Imam.
However, if someone was already leading the prayer before the Prophet ﷺ arrived, this ruling did not apply to that case.
(Reference: Al-Hadith, Vol. 10)
ھذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
