2/82. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 623 — Warning Against Preceding the Imam
The Severity Of One Who Raises Or Descends Before The Imam
Hadith Warning About Raising the Head Before the Imam
Sunan Abi Dawud : 623
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 623
حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَمَا يَخْشَى - أَوْ أَلاَ يَخْشَى - أَحَدُكُمْ إِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ وَالإِمَامُ سَاجِدٌ أَنْ يُحَوِّلَ اللَّهُ رَأْسَهُ رَأْسَ حِمَارٍ أَوْ صُورَتَهُ صُورَةَ حِمَارٍ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Does he who raises his head while the Imam is prostrating not fear that Allah may change his head into a donkey’s or his face into a donkey’s face.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 623In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 233English translation : Book 2, Hadith 623
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 623
This Hadith gives a strong warning about moving before the Imam in prayer. Abu Hurairah reports that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم asked whether a person who raises his head while the Imam is prostrating does not fear that Allah may change his head or face into that of a donkey. The wording is serious and is meant to make the worshipper think before rushing. The Hadith is not about a small delay or normal movement; it speaks about raising the head while the Imam is still in sujud. The main lesson for a person searching for a hadith about preceding the Imam is simple: do not race the Imam. Prayer behind the Imam should show respect, discipline, and careful following.
What we learn from this hadith
- Do not raise your head while the Imam is still prostrating.
- Rushing ahead of the Imam is treated as a serious matter in the text.
- Prayer behind the Imam should show respect and discipline.
- The worshipper should pay attention during sujud.
