5/48. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 988 — Short Prayer When Leading
Whoever leads people (in Prayer), let him make it short
Short Prayer When Leading Hadith: Simple Advice for Imams
Sunan Ibn Majah : 988
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 988
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَ عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي الْعَاصِ، أَنَّ آخِرَ، مَا قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " إِذَا أَمَمْتَ قَوْمًا فَأَخِفَّ بِهِمْ " .
‘Uthman b. Abul ‘As Narrated from:
The last thing the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) enjoined on him was that he said: “When you lead people, keep it short for them.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 988In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 186English translation : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 988
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 988
This short prayer when leading hadith is brief, clear, and easy to remember. ‘Uthman bin Abul-‘As said that the last thing the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم enjoined on him was: “When you lead people, keep it short for them.” The wording focuses on the imam’s duty toward the congregation. Leading prayer is different from praying alone, because other people may have different levels of strength, age, health, and need. The hadith about keeping salah short does not say to rush or ignore the prayer. It simply gives a firm direction that the imam should make prayer easy enough for the people. This keeps congregational prayer welcoming and manageable.
What we learn from this hadith
- When leading people, the imam should keep the prayer short for them.
- Congregational prayer should take the people into account.
- Short prayer does not mean careless prayer.
- The Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم instruction is direct and easy for imams to remember.
