2/69. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 594 — Prayer Behind Every Muslim
Pious And Wicked People As Imam
Hadith About Praying Behind Every Muslim Imam
Sunan Abi Dawud : 594
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 594
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، حَدَّثَنِي مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، عَنِ الْعَلاَءِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ، عَنْ مَكْحُولٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " الصَّلاَةُ الْمَكْتُوبَةُ وَاجِبَةٌ خَلْفَ كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ بَرًّا كَانَ أَوْ فَاجِرًا وَإِنْ عَمِلَ الْكَبَائِرَ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Hurairah reported the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) as saying: The obligatory prayer is essential behind every Muslim, pious or impious, even if he has committed a sins.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 594In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 204English translation : Book 2, Hadith 594
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 594
This Hadith states that the obligatory prayer is essential behind every Muslim, whether he is pious or impious, even if he has committed major sins. The wording focuses on the duty of the obligatory prayer behind a Muslim imam. It does not praise sin or lower the value of piety. Rather, the text speaks about keeping the prayer established and not abandoning the obligation because of the imam’s personal state. This Hadith about praying behind a sinful imam should be read in its own wording: the prayer remains connected to the Muslim congregation. It reminds people not to let personal judgment stop them from the required prayer.
What we learn from this hadith
- Obligatory prayer should remain established behind a Muslim imam.
- The narration mentions both pious and impious Muslims.
- The Hadith does not make sin acceptable; it focuses on the duty of prayer.
- Congregational prayer should not be abandoned lightly.
