Authored by: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani حفظه الله
In Salah, Muslims are reminded five times a day about the essence of obedience. They are drawn away from worldly matters, made to stand in rows before Allah, and commanded to follow the Imam’s every movement—without advancing ahead of him.
Yet many, due to habitual disobedience, proceed before the Imam, showing little concern for either the commands of the Prophet ﷺ or the logic of such actions.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ issued a severe warning:
"أَمَا يَخْشَى الَّذِي يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ قَبْلَ الإِمَامِ أَنْ يُحَوِّلَ اللَّهُ رَأْسَهُ رَأْسَ حِمَارٍ؟"
"Does the one who raises his head before the Imam not fear that Allah may transform his head into that of a donkey?"
[Bukhari: 691 | Muslim: 427]
Such haste contradicts basic reason. Imam Ibn Hajar رحمه الله noted in Fath al-Bari that the only real motive for anticipating the Imam is the desire to finish quickly. But this is illogical, as one cannot complete the prayer until the Imam concludes it. So what is the rush?
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
"إِنِّي إِمَامُكُمْ فَلَا تَسْبِقُونِي بِالرُّكُوعِ، وَلَا بِالسُّجُودِ، وَلَا بِالْقِيَامِ، وَلَا بِالِانْصِرَافِ، فَإِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ أَمَامِي وَمِنْ خَلْفِي"
"I am your Imam. So do not precede me in bowing, prostration, standing, or turning to leave, for I can see you from in front of me and behind."
[Sahih Muslim: 426]
✦ Let every believer take heed and fulfill the etiquettes of following the Imam in Salah, for this is an act of obedience that draws one nearer to Allah.
❀ Question:
What is the ruling on someone who performs actions in Salah before the Imam?✔ Answer:
Today, obedience to leadership has all but vanished among Muslims. There is no Amir al-Mu'mineen whose obedience is equated with obedience to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, nor do most people strive to revive such a system—except for the role of the Imam in Salah.In Salah, Muslims are reminded five times a day about the essence of obedience. They are drawn away from worldly matters, made to stand in rows before Allah, and commanded to follow the Imam’s every movement—without advancing ahead of him.
Yet many, due to habitual disobedience, proceed before the Imam, showing little concern for either the commands of the Prophet ﷺ or the logic of such actions.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ issued a severe warning:
"أَمَا يَخْشَى الَّذِي يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ قَبْلَ الإِمَامِ أَنْ يُحَوِّلَ اللَّهُ رَأْسَهُ رَأْسَ حِمَارٍ؟"
"Does the one who raises his head before the Imam not fear that Allah may transform his head into that of a donkey?"
[Bukhari: 691 | Muslim: 427]
Such haste contradicts basic reason. Imam Ibn Hajar رحمه الله noted in Fath al-Bari that the only real motive for anticipating the Imam is the desire to finish quickly. But this is illogical, as one cannot complete the prayer until the Imam concludes it. So what is the rush?
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
"إِنِّي إِمَامُكُمْ فَلَا تَسْبِقُونِي بِالرُّكُوعِ، وَلَا بِالسُّجُودِ، وَلَا بِالْقِيَامِ، وَلَا بِالِانْصِرَافِ، فَإِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ أَمَامِي وَمِنْ خَلْفِي"
"I am your Imam. So do not precede me in bowing, prostration, standing, or turning to leave, for I can see you from in front of me and behind."
[Sahih Muslim: 426]
✦ Let every believer take heed and fulfill the etiquettes of following the Imam in Salah, for this is an act of obedience that draws one nearer to Allah.
