Author: Shaykh Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai (may Allah preserve him)
Question:
Does the person who catches the ruku' (bowing) of the prayer get the full rak'ah? Please provide a detailed answer. Jazakum Allah Khairan.
[Dr. Abu Jaber Abdullah Damani, Karachi]
Answer:
In this matter, scholars hold two different opinions:
Narration from Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه):
Abu Dawud [893], Ibn Khuzayma [1622], and others have narrated from Yahya ibn Abi Suleiman, from Zaid ibn Abi Attab, from Sa'id al-Maqburi, from Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"When you come (to the prayer) and we are in prostration, prostrate but do not count it as anything. And whoever catches the rak'ah has caught the prayer."
Comments on the Narrator Yahya ibn Abi Suleiman:
Narration in Al-Bayhaqi:
Al-Bayhaqi narrated from Abdul Aziz bin Rafi' from some men from the Prophet (ﷺ):
"When you come and the Imam is in ruku', then bow. And if he is in prostration, then prostrate, but do not count the prostration unless it is accompanied by ruku'." [2/89]
Note:
In another narration in Al-Bayhaqi [2/296], it is narrated with a similar meaning from Sufyan (al-Thawri) from Abdul Aziz bin Rafi' from a Shaykh from the Ansar.
This narration is weak for two reasons:
Dar Qutni [1/346 hadith 1298], Bukhari [Juz' al-Qira'ah: 208], Ibn Khuzayma [1595], Al-Bayhaqi [2/89], 'Aqili [4/398], and Ibn 'Adi [7/2684] and others narrated from Yahya bin Humaid, from Qura, from Ibn Shihab, from Abu Salama, from Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Whoever catches a rak'ah of the prayer before the Imam straightens his back, he has caught the prayer."
Comments on the Narrator Qura bin Abdul Rahman bin Huwayl:
Majority of the scholars have considered Qura as weak. Sheikh Aminullah Peshawari said about this narration: "Its chain is weak." [Fatawa ad-Din al-Khalis 4/218]Another chain of this narration contains a suspect narrator. Hence, this chain is severely weak and rejected.
Narration from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (رضي الله عنه):
Al-Bayhaqi [2/90] narrated that Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (رضي الله عنه) said:
"Whoever does not catch the Imam in ruku' has not caught that rak'ah."
Comments on the Narrator Ali bin Asim:
He is considered weak and criticized by the majority of scholars. Therefore, saying "its chain is authentic" is incorrect. Another chain contains Abu Ishaq al-Sabi'i, who is a mudallis, making that chain weak as well. Merely stating "its narrators are reliable" is not sufficient without a sound chain.
Narration from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (رضي الله عنه) considering ruku' as catching the rak'ah:
Ibn Abi Shaybah [1/99], al-Tahawi [1/223], and al-Bayhaqi [2/90] narrated from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (رضي الله عنه) that he considered the one who catches the ruku' to have caught the rak'ah.This chain is authentic but is an opinion of a Companion.
Narration from Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما):
Ibn Abi Shaybah [1/243] narrated from Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) that he considered the one who catches the ruku' to have caught the rak'ah.
Comments on the Chain:
This chain is weak due to the tadlis (concealing defects) of Hafs and Ibn Jurayj. Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi [2/90] contains another weak supporting narration with Walid bin Muslim, known for tadlis of taswiyah and the absence of explicit continuous hearing.
Narration from Zaid bin Thabit and Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما):
Al-Bayhaqi [2/90] narrated from Zaid bin Thabit and Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) that:
"Whoever catches the rak'ah before the Imam raises his head has caught the sujood, meaning the rak'ah."
Comments on the Chain:
This chain is weak due to disconnection. Imam Malik did not clarify the source of this narration. Other chains of this narration also exist.In comparison, Imam Bukhari (رحمه الله) said:
"Ubaid bin Ya'ish narrated to us, saying: Yunus narrated to us, saying: (Ibn) Ishaq informed me, saying: Al-A'raj informed me, I heard Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) say:
'It does not suffice you unless you catch the Imam standing before bowing.'" [Juz' al-Qira'ah: 132, and its chain is good, Nasr al-Bari p. 182, 183]
Narration from Abu Said al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه):Abu Said al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه) said:
"None of you should bow until he has recited the Mother of the Qur'an (Surah Al-Fatiha)."
[Juz' al-Qira'ah: 133, and its chain is authentic]
Note:
There is a difference of opinion among the Companions regarding this issue. When a difference arises, it is commanded to refer back to the Book and the Sunnah.
Narration from Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr (رضي الله عنه) regarding walking to join the row in ruku':
Ibn Abi Shaybah [1/256 hadith 2631] narrated from Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr (رضي الله عنه) that he would join the row while walking in ruku'.
Comments on the Chain:
This chain is weak due to Ibn Tamim.
Note:
This narration does not pertain to the one who catches the ruku'.
Narration from Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (رضي الله عنه) regarding joining the row in ruku':
Al-Bayhaqi [2/90] narrated from Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (رضي الله عنه) that he would join the row while walking in ruku'. This chain is weak due to the tadlis of taswiyah by Walid bin Muslim and the disconnection with Abu Bakr bin Abdul Rahman bin al-Harith.
Narration from Musnad Ahmad:
It is mentioned in Musnad Ahmad [5/42 hadith 20435] that Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) came walking to join the row to catch the rak'ah.
Comments on the Chain:
This chain is weak due to Bashar bin Abdul Malik al-Khayyat al-Mazini.It is incorrect to say its chain is good. Bashar was deemed weak by Ibn Ma'in, and there are issues with the chain's continuity.
Opinion of Some Tabi'in (Successors):
Some say that Sa'id bin al-Musayyib, Maymun, and al-Sha'bi (Tabi'in) believed that the one who catches the ruku' has caught the rak'ah. [See Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 1/243, 244]These reports from the Tabi'in are rejected because they go against the general rulings of the Mursal narrations and the evidence from the Hadith.
Narration from Al-Tabarani:
Al-Tabarani narrated from Ali ibn Abi Talib and Ibn Mas'ud (رضي الله عنهم) that whoever does not catch the ruku' should not count the sujood.These narrations are not established with authentic chains.
Narration of Not Preceding the Imam:
In a narration, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Do not precede me in ruku' or sujood, for whatever I precede you in, you will catch up with me when I rise. My body has become heavy."
[Sunan Abi Dawud: 219, and its chain is good]
Note:
This narration does not serve as evidence for catching the ruku', although 'Ayni Hanafi included it among his evidences. See 'Umdat al-Qari [3/153]
Narration from Ibn Abi Shaybah regarding saying Takbeer:
Ibn Abi Shaybah [1/242] narrated from Urwah ibn al-Zubayr (Tabi'i) and Zaid bin Thabit (رضي الله عنهما) that they would say two Takbeers upon finding the Imam in ruku': one for the opening Takbeer and the other for ruku'.Comments on the Chain:This chain is weak due to the tadlis of Al-Zuhri and does not serve as evidence for catching the ruku'.
Narration from Ibn Abi Shaybah regarding Abu Ubaydah:
Ibn Abi Shaybah [1/255] narrated from Muhammad bin Sirin that Abu Ubaydah (bin Abdullah bin Mas'ud) came while the people were in ruku' and joined the row while walking, stating that his father had done the same.
Comments on the Chain:
This chain is disconnected because Abu Ubaydah did not hear anything from his father.
Narration from Abdul Aziz bin Rafi' from Ibn Mughaffal al-Muzani:
Abdul Aziz bin Rafi' narrated from Ibn Mughaffal al-Muzani that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Do not count the prostration if you do not catch the rak'ah." [Masail Ahmad wa Ishaq 1/127, 1 Sahihah: 1188]
Comments on the Chain:
If Ibn Mughaffal is Abdullah bin Mughaffal al-Muzani (رضي الله عنه), there is no proof of meeting between him and Abdul Aziz bin Rafi'. If it is Shaddad bin Ma'qal, the chain is disconnected. In summary, all these narrations are weak in terms of their chains.
The correct opinion is that the one who catches the ruku' does not get the rak'ah because he has missed two obligatory acts:
"Do not do anything except the Mother of the Qur'an (Surah Al-Fatiha), for there is no prayer for the one who does not recite it." [Kitab al-Qira'ah by Al-Bayhaqi: 221, and its chain is good. Al-Bayhaqi authenticated it, Nafi' bin Mahmood is trustworthy, authenticated by Al-Darqutni, Al-Bayhaqi, Ibn Hibban, Ibn Hazm, Al-Dhahabi, and others]
Imam Bukhari (رحمه الله) and many great scholars held the opinion that the one who catches the ruku' does not get the rak'ah. For details, see Maulana Muhammad Yunus Qureshi's book "Itmam al-Khushu' bi Ahkam Mudrak al-Ruku'" and Maulana Muhammad Munir Qamar's treatise "Rak'ah Caught in Ruku': An Analysis of Both Sides' Evidence."
And upon us is only the conveyance (of the message).
[26th Rajab 1427H]
Question:
Does the person who catches the ruku' (bowing) of the prayer get the full rak'ah? Please provide a detailed answer. Jazakum Allah Khairan.
[Dr. Abu Jaber Abdullah Damani, Karachi]
Answer:
In this matter, scholars hold two different opinions:
- The person gets the rak'ah.
- The person does not get the rak'ah.
Narration from Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه):
Abu Dawud [893], Ibn Khuzayma [1622], and others have narrated from Yahya ibn Abi Suleiman, from Zaid ibn Abi Attab, from Sa'id al-Maqburi, from Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"When you come (to the prayer) and we are in prostration, prostrate but do not count it as anything. And whoever catches the rak'ah has caught the prayer."
Comments on the Narrator Yahya ibn Abi Suleiman:
- Imam Bukhari (رحمه الله) said: Munkar al-Hadith.
- Ibn Khuzayma said: "My heart is not content with this chain because I do not know Yahya ibn Abi Suleiman in terms of criticism or praise." [Sahih Ibn Khuzayma 3/57, 58 and Nasr al-Bari p. 262]
- Majority of the scholars have considered Yahya as weak. Therefore, the ruling of Hakim (who authenticated this narration) is rejected. This narration is not an evidence for the one who catches the ruku', but rather it establishes that whoever catches a rak'ah has caught the prayer.
Narration in Al-Bayhaqi:
Al-Bayhaqi narrated from Abdul Aziz bin Rafi' from some men from the Prophet (ﷺ):
"When you come and the Imam is in ruku', then bow. And if he is in prostration, then prostrate, but do not count the prostration unless it is accompanied by ruku'." [2/89]
Note:
In another narration in Al-Bayhaqi [2/296], it is narrated with a similar meaning from Sufyan (al-Thawri) from Abdul Aziz bin Rafi' from a Shaykh from the Ansar.
This narration is weak for two reasons:
- Sufyan al-Thawri was a mudallis and the narration is mu'an'an (i.e., it does not explicitly state he heard it directly).
- The Shaykh from the Ansar is unknown, and to say "the correct view is that he is a Companion" is incorrect.
Dar Qutni [1/346 hadith 1298], Bukhari [Juz' al-Qira'ah: 208], Ibn Khuzayma [1595], Al-Bayhaqi [2/89], 'Aqili [4/398], and Ibn 'Adi [7/2684] and others narrated from Yahya bin Humaid, from Qura, from Ibn Shihab, from Abu Salama, from Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Whoever catches a rak'ah of the prayer before the Imam straightens his back, he has caught the prayer."
Comments on the Narrator Qura bin Abdul Rahman bin Huwayl:
Majority of the scholars have considered Qura as weak. Sheikh Aminullah Peshawari said about this narration: "Its chain is weak." [Fatawa ad-Din al-Khalis 4/218]Another chain of this narration contains a suspect narrator. Hence, this chain is severely weak and rejected.
Narration from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (رضي الله عنه):
Al-Bayhaqi [2/90] narrated that Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (رضي الله عنه) said:
"Whoever does not catch the Imam in ruku' has not caught that rak'ah."
Comments on the Narrator Ali bin Asim:
He is considered weak and criticized by the majority of scholars. Therefore, saying "its chain is authentic" is incorrect. Another chain contains Abu Ishaq al-Sabi'i, who is a mudallis, making that chain weak as well. Merely stating "its narrators are reliable" is not sufficient without a sound chain.
Narration from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (رضي الله عنه) considering ruku' as catching the rak'ah:
Ibn Abi Shaybah [1/99], al-Tahawi [1/223], and al-Bayhaqi [2/90] narrated from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (رضي الله عنه) that he considered the one who catches the ruku' to have caught the rak'ah.This chain is authentic but is an opinion of a Companion.
Narration from Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما):
Ibn Abi Shaybah [1/243] narrated from Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) that he considered the one who catches the ruku' to have caught the rak'ah.
Comments on the Chain:
This chain is weak due to the tadlis (concealing defects) of Hafs and Ibn Jurayj. Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi [2/90] contains another weak supporting narration with Walid bin Muslim, known for tadlis of taswiyah and the absence of explicit continuous hearing.
Narration from Zaid bin Thabit and Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما):
Al-Bayhaqi [2/90] narrated from Zaid bin Thabit and Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) that:
"Whoever catches the rak'ah before the Imam raises his head has caught the sujood, meaning the rak'ah."
Comments on the Chain:
This chain is weak due to disconnection. Imam Malik did not clarify the source of this narration. Other chains of this narration also exist.In comparison, Imam Bukhari (رحمه الله) said:
"Ubaid bin Ya'ish narrated to us, saying: Yunus narrated to us, saying: (Ibn) Ishaq informed me, saying: Al-A'raj informed me, I heard Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) say:
'It does not suffice you unless you catch the Imam standing before bowing.'" [Juz' al-Qira'ah: 132, and its chain is good, Nasr al-Bari p. 182, 183]
Narration from Abu Said al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه):Abu Said al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه) said:
"None of you should bow until he has recited the Mother of the Qur'an (Surah Al-Fatiha)."
[Juz' al-Qira'ah: 133, and its chain is authentic]
Note:
There is a difference of opinion among the Companions regarding this issue. When a difference arises, it is commanded to refer back to the Book and the Sunnah.
Narration from Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr (رضي الله عنه) regarding walking to join the row in ruku':
Ibn Abi Shaybah [1/256 hadith 2631] narrated from Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr (رضي الله عنه) that he would join the row while walking in ruku'.
Comments on the Chain:
This chain is weak due to Ibn Tamim.
Note:
This narration does not pertain to the one who catches the ruku'.
Narration from Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (رضي الله عنه) regarding joining the row in ruku':
Al-Bayhaqi [2/90] narrated from Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (رضي الله عنه) that he would join the row while walking in ruku'. This chain is weak due to the tadlis of taswiyah by Walid bin Muslim and the disconnection with Abu Bakr bin Abdul Rahman bin al-Harith.
Narration from Musnad Ahmad:
It is mentioned in Musnad Ahmad [5/42 hadith 20435] that Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) came walking to join the row to catch the rak'ah.
Comments on the Chain:
This chain is weak due to Bashar bin Abdul Malik al-Khayyat al-Mazini.It is incorrect to say its chain is good. Bashar was deemed weak by Ibn Ma'in, and there are issues with the chain's continuity.
Opinion of Some Tabi'in (Successors):
Some say that Sa'id bin al-Musayyib, Maymun, and al-Sha'bi (Tabi'in) believed that the one who catches the ruku' has caught the rak'ah. [See Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 1/243, 244]These reports from the Tabi'in are rejected because they go against the general rulings of the Mursal narrations and the evidence from the Hadith.
Narration from Al-Tabarani:
Al-Tabarani narrated from Ali ibn Abi Talib and Ibn Mas'ud (رضي الله عنهم) that whoever does not catch the ruku' should not count the sujood.These narrations are not established with authentic chains.
Narration of Not Preceding the Imam:
In a narration, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Do not precede me in ruku' or sujood, for whatever I precede you in, you will catch up with me when I rise. My body has become heavy."
[Sunan Abi Dawud: 219, and its chain is good]
Note:
This narration does not serve as evidence for catching the ruku', although 'Ayni Hanafi included it among his evidences. See 'Umdat al-Qari [3/153]
Narration from Ibn Abi Shaybah regarding saying Takbeer:
Ibn Abi Shaybah [1/242] narrated from Urwah ibn al-Zubayr (Tabi'i) and Zaid bin Thabit (رضي الله عنهما) that they would say two Takbeers upon finding the Imam in ruku': one for the opening Takbeer and the other for ruku'.Comments on the Chain:This chain is weak due to the tadlis of Al-Zuhri and does not serve as evidence for catching the ruku'.
Narration from Ibn Abi Shaybah regarding Abu Ubaydah:
Ibn Abi Shaybah [1/255] narrated from Muhammad bin Sirin that Abu Ubaydah (bin Abdullah bin Mas'ud) came while the people were in ruku' and joined the row while walking, stating that his father had done the same.
Comments on the Chain:
This chain is disconnected because Abu Ubaydah did not hear anything from his father.
Narration from Abdul Aziz bin Rafi' from Ibn Mughaffal al-Muzani:
Abdul Aziz bin Rafi' narrated from Ibn Mughaffal al-Muzani that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Do not count the prostration if you do not catch the rak'ah." [Masail Ahmad wa Ishaq 1/127, 1 Sahihah: 1188]
Comments on the Chain:
If Ibn Mughaffal is Abdullah bin Mughaffal al-Muzani (رضي الله عنه), there is no proof of meeting between him and Abdul Aziz bin Rafi'. If it is Shaddad bin Ma'qal, the chain is disconnected. In summary, all these narrations are weak in terms of their chains.
The correct opinion is that the one who catches the ruku' does not get the rak'ah because he has missed two obligatory acts:
- Standing (Qiyam)
- Surah Al-Fatiha
"Do not do anything except the Mother of the Qur'an (Surah Al-Fatiha), for there is no prayer for the one who does not recite it." [Kitab al-Qira'ah by Al-Bayhaqi: 221, and its chain is good. Al-Bayhaqi authenticated it, Nafi' bin Mahmood is trustworthy, authenticated by Al-Darqutni, Al-Bayhaqi, Ibn Hibban, Ibn Hazm, Al-Dhahabi, and others]
Imam Bukhari (رحمه الله) and many great scholars held the opinion that the one who catches the ruku' does not get the rak'ah. For details, see Maulana Muhammad Yunus Qureshi's book "Itmam al-Khushu' bi Ahkam Mudrak al-Ruku'" and Maulana Muhammad Munir Qamar's treatise "Rak'ah Caught in Ruku': An Analysis of Both Sides' Evidence."
And upon us is only the conveyance (of the message).
[26th Rajab 1427H]