4/12. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 398a — Reciting Behind the Imam
Prohibiting The Follower From Reciting Aloud Behind An Imam
Reciting Behind the Imam: A Hadith from Zuhr or Asr Prayer
Sahih Muslim : 398a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 398a
حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ أَبِي عَوَانَةَ، قَالَ سَعِيدٌ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ زُرَارَةَ بْنِ أَوْفَى، عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ، قَالَ صَلَّى بِنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلاَةَ الظُّهْرِ - أَوِ الْعَصْرِ - فَقَالَ " أَيُّكُمْ قَرَأَ خَلْفِي بِسَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى " . فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ أَنَا وَلَمْ أُرِدْ بِهَا إِلاَّ الْخَيْرَ . قَالَ " قَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ بَعْضَكُمْ خَالَجَنِيهَا " .
lmrin b. Husain Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) led us In Zuhr or 'Asr prayer (noon or the afternoon prayer). (On concluding it) he said: Who recited behind me (the verses): Sabbih Isma Rabbik al-a'la (Glorify the name of thy Lord, the Most High)? There upon a person said: It was I, but I in- tended nothing but goodness. I felt that some one of you was disputing with me in it (or he was taking out from my tongue what I was reciting), said the Prophet (ﷺ).
[1] Sûrat Al-A'lâ (87).Reference : Sahih Muslim 398aIn-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 49USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 783
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 398a
This Hadith is about recitation behind the imam in prayer. Imran ibn Husain reported that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم led them in Zuhr or Asr prayer. After finishing, he asked who had recited behind him the verses “Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High.” A man said it was him, and he intended only good. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then said that he felt some of them were disputing with him in it, or taking from his tongue what he was reciting. The core topic is behind-the-imam recitation, and the text should be handled carefully. It does not mention every prayer situation. It simply records this event in Zuhr or Asr and the Prophet’s response after someone recited behind him.
What we learn from this hadith
- The event happened in Zuhr or Asr prayer according to the report.
- A man recited behind the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and said he intended good.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم noticed an effect on his own recitation.
- The lesson should stay within this specific prayer event.
