4/25. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 427a — Warning Against Raising Before Imam
The Prohibition Of Preceding The Imam While Bowing, Prostrating And So On
Hadith About Raising the Head Before the Imam
Sahih Muslim : 427a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 427a
حَدَّثَنَا خَلَفُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، وَأَبُو الرَّبِيعِ الزَّهْرَانِيُّ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ، - قَالَ خَلَفٌ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، - عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَمَا يَخْشَى الَّذِي يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ قَبْلَ الإِمَامِ أَنْ يُحَوِّلَ اللَّهُ رَأْسَهُ رَأْسَ حِمَارٍ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Does the man who lifts his head ahead of the Imam (from prostration) not fear that Allah may change his head into the head of an ass?
Reference : Sahih Muslim 427aIn-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 125USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 859
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 427a
This hadith about raising the head before the imam is a serious warning. Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked whether the one who lifts his head before the imam from prostration does not fear that Allah may change his head into the head of an ass. The text is focused and strong. It is not about small personal preference in prayer; it is about moving ahead of the imam in a key action of salah. For searches like do not raise your head before imam hadith, the wording is direct. The teaching is to wait, follow, and keep the order of congregational prayer instead of rushing ahead.
What we learn from this hadith
- A worshipper should not lift his head before the imam.
- The warning is tied to raising the head ahead of the imam from prostration.
- Congregational prayer requires patience and order.
