❖ Walking to Salah with Dignity and Calmness
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed those coming to the mosque for prayer to do so with dignity and calmness:
“When the Iqamah is called, do not run (to join the rows), but walk with dignity and composure. Whatever portion of the prayer you catch (with the Imam), perform it, and complete whatever remains afterwards.”
(Bukhari, Al-Adhan, Chapter: Do not rush to the prayer, 636; Muslim: 206)
✔ Running after Iqamah is prohibited.
✔ One must join the rows with tranquility and composure.
✔ The rak‘ahs performed with the Imam will be counted, and those missed should be completed afterwards.
❖ Leaving the Mosque After Hearing the Adhan
Leaving the mosque after the Adhan without a valid reason is considered disobedience to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, as evident from the following narration:
When a man left the mosque after hearing the Adhan, Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه said:
“Indeed, this man has disobeyed Abul-Qasim ﷺ.”
(Muslim, Al-Masajid, Chapter: Prohibition of leaving the mosque after the Adhan, 556)
✔ It is forbidden to leave the mosque after hearing the Adhan without a valid excuse.
✔ Such an act is categorized as disobedience to the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ However, if there is a legitimate Shar‘i excuse or a need related to preparing for prayer, it is permissible to leave.
❖ Delaying Salah After the Iqamah: Shar‘i Justifications
In some cases, it is permissible to delay the Salah briefly even after the Iqamah, as shown in the following examples:
✔ Imam Speaking After the Iqamah
Humayd narrates that he asked Thabit al-Bunani:
"Can the Imam speak after the Iqamah has been called?"
He then narrated the Hadith of Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه:
“Once, the Iqamah was called and a man came and spoke to the Prophet ﷺ even after the Iqamah.”
(Bukhari, Al-Adhan, Chapter: Speaking after the Iqamah is called, 346; Muslim: 673)
✔ Taking a Ritual Bath (Ghusl) After Iqamah in the State of Janabah
“Once the Iqamah had been called and the people had already formed rows for prayer. The Prophet ﷺ remembered that he was in the state of Janabah. He said to the people: 'Remain in your places.' Then he went and performed Ghusl (ritual bath). Upon returning, water was dripping from his head, and he then led the prayer.”
(Bukhari, Al-Adhan, Chapter: When the Imam says, 'Stay in your places', 640; Muslim, Al-Masajid, Chapter: When should people stand for prayer, 506)
✔ If an important Shar‘i need arises, a short delay after Iqamah is allowed.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ remembering his state of Janabah and going for Ghusl demonstrates human forgetfulness.
✔ This incident affirms that such forgetfulness is a trait of human beings and is not contradictory to the status of Prophethood.
