2/66. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 584 — Qur'an and Sunnah Knowledge
Who Has More Right To Be Imam
Hadith on Choosing an Imam by Qur'an and Sunnah Knowledge
Sunan Abi Dawud : 584
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 584
حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ رَجَاءٍ، عَنْ أَوْسِ بْنِ ضَمْعَجٍ الْحَضْرَمِيِّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا مَسْعُودٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ قَالَ " فَإِنْ كَانُوا فِي الْقِرَاءَةِ سَوَاءً فَأَعْلَمُهُمْ بِالسُّنَّةِ فَإِنْ كَانُوا فِي السُّنَّةِ سَوَاءً فَأَقْدَمُهُمْ هِجْرَةً " . وَلَمْ يَقُلْ " فَأَقْدَمُهُمْ قِرَاءَةً " . قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ رَوَاهُ حَجَّاجُ بْنُ أَرْطَاةَ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ قَالَ " وَلاَ تَقْعُدْ عَلَى تَكْرِمَةِ أَحَدٍ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ " .
Abu Mas'ud Narrated from:
This tradition has been transmitted through a different chain by Abu Mas’ud This version has words; “If they are equally versed in recitation, then the one who has most knowledge of the Sunnah; if they are equal with regard to (the knowledge of) the Sunnah, then the earliest of them to emigrate (to medina)”. He did not narrate the words; “ The earliest of them in recitation”. Abu Dawud said: Hajjaj b. Artata reported from Isma’il: Do not sit in the place of honour of anyone except with his permission.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 584In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 194English translation : Book 2, Hadith 584
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 584
This Hadith gives another wording about who should lead the people in prayer. It says that if people are equal in recitation, then the one with more knowledge of the Sunnah should lead. If they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then the one who migrated earlier is given preference. The report also mentions the rule of not sitting in a person’s place of honor without permission. This Hadith about imam selection shows that leading salah is not random. It is linked to Qur'an recitation, knowledge of the Sunnah, and respect for others. The message is balanced: worship needs knowledge, and community life needs good manners.
What we learn from this hadith
- Qur'an recitation is a main factor in choosing the imam.
- Knowledge of the Sunnah is also considered when recitation is equal.
- Respecting someone’s place of honor is part of proper manners.
- Prayer leadership should follow clear order, not personal desire.
