2/150. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 361 — Following the Imam in Salah
What Has Been Related (On the Prophet's Saying) 'When The Imam Performs Salat While Seated, then You (People) Perform Salat Seated'
Following the Imam in Salah with Proper Order
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 361
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 361
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ خَرَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ فَرَسٍ فَجُحِشَ فَصَلَّى بِنَا قَاعِدًا فَصَلَّيْنَا مَعَهُ قُعُودًا ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ فَقَالَ " إِنَّمَا الإِمَامُ أَوْ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ فَكَبِّرُوا وَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا رَفَعَ فَارْفَعُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ فَقُولُوا رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَإِذَا سَجَدَ فَاسْجُدُوا وَإِذَا صَلَّى قَاعِدًا فَصَلُّوا قُعُودًا أَجْمَعُونَ " . قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ وَجَابِرٍ وَابْنِ عُمَرَ وَمُعَاوِيَةَ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَحَدِيثُ أَنَسٍ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَرَّ عَنْ فَرَسٍ فَجُحِشَ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَقَدْ ذَهَبَ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ مِنْهُمْ جَابِرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَأُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَأَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ وَغَيْرُهُمْ . وَبِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ يَقُولُ أَحْمَدُ وَإِسْحَاقُ . وَقَالَ بَعْضُ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ إِذَا صَلَّى الإِمَامُ جَالِسًا لَمْ يُصَلِّ مَنْ خَلْفَهُ إِلاَّ قِيَامًا فَإِنْ صَلَّوْا قُعُودًا لَمْ تُجْزِهِمْ . وَهُوَ قَوْلُ سُفْيَانَ الثَّوْرِيِّ وَمَالِكِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ وَابْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ وَالشَّافِعِيِّ .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
Allah'S Messenger Fell From A Horse And Got Injured, So He Led Salat Sitting And We Also Offered Salat Sitting. When He Completed The Salat He Said: "The Imam Is Appointed To Be Followed; When He Says The Takbir Then Say The Takbir, When He Bows, Then Bow, And When He Raises His Head, Then Raise Your Heads. When He Says: "Sami' Allahu Liman Hamidah (Allah Listens To Those Who Praise Him)" Then Say: "Rabbana Wa Lakal-Hamd. (O Our Lord! And All Praise Is Yours.)" And When He Prostrates, Then Prostrate, And When He Performs Salat Sitting, Then Pray Sitting Altogether.'"
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 361In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 213English translation : Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 361
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 361
This Hadith teaches the clear adab of following the imam in salah. Anas bin Malik narrated that Allah's Messenger fell from a horse, was injured, and led the prayer while sitting. The Companions also prayed sitting behind him. After the prayer, he explained that the imam is appointed to be followed. This means the followers should not move before the imam or act on their own rhythm. When the imam says takbir, they say takbir. When he bows, they bow. When he rises, they rise. When he says Sami Allahu liman hamidah, they respond with Rabbana wa lakal-hamd. The Hadith highlights unity, order, and calm obedience in congregational prayer.
What we learn from this hadith
- The imam in salah is followed step by step, not preceded.
- Congregational prayer has order, unity, and shared movement.
- The follower responds with Rabbana wa lakal-hamd after the imam says Sami Allahu liman hamidah.
- The Hadith shows a case where the Prophet prayed sitting due to injury.
