4/12. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 398c — Recitation and Imam Focus
Prohibiting The Follower From Reciting Aloud Behind An Imam
Hadith on Prayer Recitation Behind the Imam
Sahih Muslim : 398c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 398c
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ ابْنُ عُلَيَّةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عَدِيٍّ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عَرُوبَةَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلَّى الظُّهْرَ وَقَالَ " قَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ بَعْضَكُمْ خَالَجَنِيهَا " .
Qatada Narrated from:
This hadith has been narrated by Qatada with the same chain of transmitters that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed Zuhr prayer and said: I felt that someone amongst you was disputing with me (in what I was reciting).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 398cIn-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 51USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 785
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 398c
This narration is a shorter report of the same prayer recitation event. It says that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed Zuhr and then stated that he felt someone among the people was disputing with him in what he was reciting. For readers searching for a hadith about reciting behind the imam, the message is clear and practical. Prayer is not a place for competing voices or careless recitation. When an imam is leading, the people behind him should preserve the order of the prayer. The wording also shows how the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم taught by pointing out what affected the prayer, so the companions could understand the proper way to follow.
What we learn from this hadith
- Recitation behind the imam should not disturb the imam's own recitation.
- Prayer has a shared order between imam and followers.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم pointed out mistakes so people could correct their worship.
- Short narrations can preserve the main lesson of a longer report.
