2/74. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 605 — Sit When the Imam Sits
About The Imam Praying While Sitting Down
Hadith About Sitting When the Imam Prays Sitting
Sunan Abi Dawud : 605
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 605
حَدَّثَنَا الْقَعْنَبِيُّ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي بَيْتِهِ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ فَصَلَّى وَرَاءَهُ قَوْمٌ قِيَامًا فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِمْ أَنِ اجْلِسُوا فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ " إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا رَفَعَ فَارْفَعُوا وَإِذَا صَلَّى جَالِسًا فَصَلُّوا جُلُوسًا " .
A'isha Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed in his house sitting and the people prayed behind him standing. He made a sign to them (asking them) to sit down. When he finished the prayer, he said : The IMAM is appointed only to be followed; so when he prays standing. Pray standing; and when he raises himself, raise yourself: and when he prays sitting. Pray sitting.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 605In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 215English translation : Book 2, Hadith 605
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 605
This Hadith explains the rule of following the imam in a very clear setting. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed in his house while sitting, and some people prayed behind him while standing. He signaled to them to sit down. After finishing the prayer, he said that the imam is appointed only to be followed. This makes the Hadith a key result for searches like sit when the imam sits hadith and following the imam in salah. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم mentioned bowing, rising, standing, and sitting. The message is simple: the prayer line should not act on its own. The people behind the imam take their prayer movements from him.
What we learn from this hadith
- The congregation should respond to the imam’s prayer movements.
- A sitting imam is followed by sitting, as stated in the Hadith.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم corrected the companions through a sign during prayer.
- Following the imam helps keep the prayer orderly.
