Authored by: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani حفظه الله
"Do not precede the Imam. When he says the Takbir, then you say the Takbir. When he says ‘Wa la ad-Dallin’, then say Ameen. When he bows, then bow. When he says ‘Sami‘ Allahu liman Hamidah’, say ‘Allahumma Rabbana laka al-hamd’."
[Sahih Muslim, Hadith 415]
Another narration adds:
"And do not bow until he bows, and do not prostrate until he prostrates."
[Abu Dawood, Hadith 603]
"The words of the Hadith indicate that the follower should act after the Imam has completed his action—whether it be Takbir, bowing, prostration, or rising. Neither simultaneous nor preceding action is permitted."
Imam Ahmad رحمه الله emphasized:
"When the Imam’s Takbir ends, only then should the follower say the Takbir. It is ignorance to act before or with the Imam."
[Bukhari 691 | Muslim 427]
Even the Companions practiced this discipline. Al-Bara’ bin ‘Azib (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
"When the Prophet ﷺ would say ‘Sami‘ Allahu liman Hamidah’, no one among us would bend his back until the Prophet ﷺ placed his forehead on the ground."
❖ Whether in bowing, prostration, rising, or saying Takbir, delay your action until the Imam completes his.
❖ This is not only a command of the Prophet ﷺ, but also the consistent practice of the Sahabah and understanding of the Salaf.
✦ Teach and remind those around you gently, so the proper method of following the Imam may be revived and practiced widely, insha’Allah.
❀ Question:
What is the correct method for a follower (muqtadi) to follow the Imam in Salah, in the light of the Sunnah?✔ Answer:
The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ makes it explicitly clear that a follower must not precede or act simultaneously with the Imam in Salah. Instead, every action must be performed after the Imam has completed it.
Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Do not precede the Imam. When he says the Takbir, then you say the Takbir. When he says ‘Wa la ad-Dallin’, then say Ameen. When he bows, then bow. When he says ‘Sami‘ Allahu liman Hamidah’, say ‘Allahumma Rabbana laka al-hamd’."[Sahih Muslim, Hadith 415]
Another narration adds:
"And do not bow until he bows, and do not prostrate until he prostrates."
[Abu Dawood, Hadith 603]
Shaykh Muhammad Isma‘il Salafi رحمه الله noted:
"The words of the Hadith indicate that the follower should act after the Imam has completed his action—whether it be Takbir, bowing, prostration, or rising. Neither simultaneous nor preceding action is permitted."Imam Ahmad رحمه الله emphasized:
"When the Imam’s Takbir ends, only then should the follower say the Takbir. It is ignorance to act before or with the Imam."
⚠ The Prophet ﷺ warned:
"Does the one who raises his head before the Imam not fear that Allah will transform his head into that of a donkey?"[Bukhari 691 | Muslim 427]
Even the Companions practiced this discipline. Al-Bara’ bin ‘Azib (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
"When the Prophet ﷺ would say ‘Sami‘ Allahu liman Hamidah’, no one among us would bend his back until the Prophet ﷺ placed his forehead on the ground."
When Hajjaj ibn Yusuf once acted hastily in prayer, Saeed bin al-Musayyib رحمه الله held him accountable, correcting him firmly. Later, when Hajjaj became a ruler, he remembered that lesson and honored it throughout his life.
❖ Do not act before or with the Imam; always wait until the Imam has performed an action, then follow him in sequence.
❖ Whether in bowing, prostration, rising, or saying Takbir, delay your action until the Imam completes his.
❖ This is not only a command of the Prophet ﷺ, but also the consistent practice of the Sahabah and understanding of the Salaf.
✦ Teach and remind those around you gently, so the proper method of following the Imam may be revived and practiced widely, insha’Allah.
