5/13. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 846 — Following the Imam in Salah
When the Imam is reciting, then listen attentively
Following the Imam in Salah with Focus and Order
Sunan Ibn Majah : 846
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 846
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو خَالِدٍ الأَحْمَرُ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَجْلاَنَ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ فَكَبِّرُوا وَإِذَا قَرَأَ فَأَنْصِتُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ {غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ} فَقُولُوا آمِينَ وَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ . فَقُولُوا اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَإِذَا سَجَدَ فَاسْجُدُوا وَإِذَا صَلَّى جَالِسًا فَصَلُّوا جُلُوسًا أَجْمَعِينَ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘The Imam has been appointed to be followed, so when he says Allahu Akbar, then say Allahu Akbar, when he recites, then listen attentively; when he says: Not (the way) of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray,[1:7] then say Amin; when he bows then bow; when he says Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him), then say Allahumma Rabbana wa lakal-hamd (O Allah, our Lord, to You is the praise);” when he prostrates then prostrate; and if he prays sitting down then all of you pray sitting down.’”
[1] Al-Fâtihah 1:7.Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 846In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 44English translation : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 846
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 846
Core Topic: Following Imam. This Hadith gives a clear guide for praying behind an Imam. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said the Imam has been appointed to be followed. When the Imam says Allahu Akbar, the followers say Allahu Akbar. When he recites, they listen attentively. When he reaches the end of Al-Fatiha, they say Amin. When he bows, they bow. When he says Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah, they respond with Allahumma Rabbana wa lakal-hamd. When he prostrates, they prostrate. If he prays sitting, they pray sitting. For anyone searching for how to follow Imam in Salah, this Hadith lays out prayer order in simple steps.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Imam is followed in the actions of prayer.
- Followers should listen when the Imam recites.
- Amin is said after the end of Al-Fatiha.
- Congregational prayer should be orderly and united.
