4/19. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 414a — Following the Imam
Following The Imam
Hadith About Following the Imam in Salah
Sahih Muslim : 414a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 414a
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الْمُغِيرَةُ، - يَعْنِي الْحِزَامِيَّ - عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِنَّمَا الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَلاَ تَخْتَلِفُوا عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ فَكَبِّرُوا وَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ . فَقُولُوا اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ . وَإِذَا سَجَدَ فَاسْجُدُوا وَإِذَا صَلَّى جَالِسًا فَصَلُّوا جُلُوسًا أَجْمَعُونَ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: The Imam is appointed, so that he should be followed, so don't be at variance with him. Recite takbir when he recites it; bow down when he bows down and when he says:" Allah listens to him who praises Him," say:" O Allah, our Lord, to Thee be the Praise." And when he (the Imam) prostrates, you should also prostrate, and when he says prayer sitting, you should all observe prayer sitting.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 414aIn-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 92USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 826
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 414a
This Hadith about following the Imam in salah gives a direct teaching: the Imam is appointed so that he should be followed. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم tells the worshippers not to be at variance with him. When the Imam says takbir, they say takbir. When he bows, they bow. When he says, "Allah listens to him who praises Him," they reply, "O Allah, our Lord, to Thee be the Praise." When he prostrates, they prostrate. If he prays sitting, all should pray sitting. The core message is prayer unity. Salah behind Imam is not meant to be rushed, delayed without reason, or done in a different pattern.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Imam is followed in the actions of prayer.
- Worshippers should avoid differing from the Imam’s movements.
- The response after the Imam’s praise is taught clearly in the Hadith.
- If the Imam prays sitting, the followers also sit according to this text.
