5/53. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 673c — Imam Leadership and Respect
Who is more entitled to lead the prayer
Imam Leadership in Islam: Recitation, Age, and Permission
Sahih Muslim : 673c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 673c
وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَابْنُ، بَشَّارٍ قَالَ ابْنُ الْمُثَنَّى حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ رَجَاءٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَوْسَ بْنَ ضَمْعَجٍ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا مَسْعُودٍ، يَقُولُ قَالَ لَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَؤُمُّ الْقَوْمَ أَقْرَؤُهُمْ لِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَأَقْدَمُهُمْ قِرَاءَةً فَإِنْ كَانَتْ قِرَاءَتُهُمْ سَوَاءً فَلْيَؤُمَّهُمْ أَقْدَمُهُمْ هِجْرَةً فَإِنْ كَانُوا فِي الْهِجْرَةِ سَوَاءً فَلْيَؤُمَّهُمْ أَكْبَرُهُمْ سِنًّا وَلاَ تَؤُمَّنَّ الرَّجُلَ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَلاَ فِي سُلْطَانِهِ وَلاَ تَجْلِسْ عَلَى تَكْرِمَتِهِ فِي بَيْتِهِ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَأْذَنَ لَكَ أَوْ بِإِذْنِهِ " .
Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to us: The one who is well grounded in Allah's Book and is distinguished among them in recitation should act as; Imam for the people. and if they are equally versed in reciting it, then the one who has most knowledge regarding Sunnah; if they are equal regarding the Sunnah, then the earliest one to emigrate; If they emigrated at the same time, then the oldest one in age. No man must lead another in prayer in latter's house or where (the latter) has authority, or sit in his place of honour in his house, except that he gives you permission or with his permission.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 673cIn-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 367USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1422
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 673c
This Hadith explains who should lead the prayer when people gather. It begins with the person who is well grounded in Allah's Book and distinguished in recitation. This makes Quran recitation a main point in Imam selection. If the people are equal in recitation, the Hadith then mentions the earliest in emigration. If they are equal in that too, the oldest in age should lead. The Hadith also gives a clear lesson in manners. A person should not lead another man in his family, house, or place of authority unless permission is given. He should also not sit in the honoured seat of someone’s home without permission. This is a balanced teaching about prayer leadership and respect.
What we learn from this hadith
- Strong recitation of Allah's Book is given priority for leading prayer.
- Age is mentioned when other qualities are equal in this narration.
- A person’s home and authority should be respected.
- Permission matters before leading prayer in another person’s place.
