5/144. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 1238 — Follow Imam Movements
What was narrated concerning the fact that the Imam is appointed to be followed
Follow the Imam: Takbir, Bowing, and Prostration
Sunan Ibn Majah : 1238
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 1238
حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ صُرِعَ عَنْ فَرَسٍ فَجُحِشَ شِقُّهُ الأَيْمَنُ فَدَخَلْنَا نَعُودُهُ وَحَضَرَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَصَلَّى بِنَا قَاعِدًا وَصَلَّيْنَا وَرَاءَهُ قُعُودًا فَلَمَّا قَضَى الصَّلاَةَ قَالَ " إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ فَكَبِّرُوا وَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ فَقُولُوا رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَإِذَا سَجَدَ فَاسْجُدُوا وَإِذَا صَلَّى قَاعِدًا فَصَلُّوا قُعُودًا أَجْمَعِينَ " .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) fell from his horse and he suffered some lacerations on his right side. We went to visit him and the time for prayer came. He led us in prayer sitting down, and we prayed behind him sitting down. When he finished the prayer he said: “The Imam is appointed to be followed. When he says Allahu Akbar, then say Allahu Akbar; when he bows, then bow; when he says Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah, then say Rabbana wa lakal-hamd; when he prostrates then prostrate; and if he prays sitting down then pray sitting down.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1238In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 436English translation : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1238
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1238
This Hadith gives a fuller list of how followers act behind the imam. Anas bin Malik reports that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم fell from his horse and injured his right side. When the time for prayer came, he led them while sitting, and they prayed behind him sitting. After the prayer, he explained that the imam is appointed to be followed. When the imam says Allahu Akbar, the followers say Allahu Akbar. When he bows, they bow. When he says Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah, they say Rabbana wa lakal-hamd. When he prostrates, they prostrate. If he prays sitting, they pray sitting.
What we learn from this hadith
- Followers say takbir after the imam says takbir.
- Followers bow and prostrate with the imam’s actions.
- The Hadith teaches the response to Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah.
- When the imam prayed sitting in this report, the followers prayed sitting.
