4/39. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 474b — Do Not Precede the Imam
Following The Imam And Acting After Him
Do Not Precede the Imam: A Hadith on Sujood Timing
Sahih Muslim : 474b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 474b
وَحَدَّثَنِي أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ خَلاَّدٍ الْبَاهِلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ سَعِيدٍ - حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو إِسْحَاقَ، حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، حَدَّثَنِي الْبَرَاءُ، - وَهُوَ غَيْرُ كَذُوبٍ - قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا قَالَ " سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ " . لَمْ يَحْنِ أَحَدٌ مِنَّا ظَهْرَهُ حَتَّى يَقَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سَاجِدًا ثُمَّ نَقَعُ سُجُودًا بَعْدَهُ .
Al-Bara Narrated from:
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Allah listened to him who praised Him, none of us bent his back till he (the Holy Prophet) prostrated; we then, afterwards, went down in prostration.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 474bIn-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 225USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 959
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 474b
This narration from Al-Bara' explains the timing of followers in prayer. When the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah, none of the Companions bent their backs until the Prophet prostrated. After him, they went down in prostration. The hadith is not about the wording alone; it shows the action that followed. It teaches people behind the imam to wait and follow, not to move before him. The search phrase do not precede the imam hadith matches the narration well. The point is simple and practical: in congregational salah, the imam leads the movements, and the followers move after him. This keeps the prayer together and prevents disorder.
What we learn from this hadith
- Followers should not bend into sujood before the imam.
- The Prophet’s movement was followed after it happened.
- Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah is mentioned before the move to sujood.
- Congregational prayer is performed with order.
