6/56.1. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 582 — Following the Imam
What has been related about the severe warning regarding the one who raises his head before the Imam
Following the Imam in Prayer
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 582
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 582
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ، وَهُوَ أَبُو الْحَارِثِ الْبَصْرِيُّ ثِقَةٌ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَمَا يَخْشَى الَّذِي يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ قَبْلَ الإِمَامِ أَنْ يُحَوِّلَ اللَّهُ رَأْسَهُ رَأْسَ حِمَارٍ " . قَالَ قُتَيْبَةُ قَالَ حَمَّادٌ قَالَ لِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ وَإِنَّمَا قَالَ " أَمَا يَخْشَى " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ هُوَ بَصْرِيٌّ ثِقَةٌ وَيُكْنَى أَبَا الْحَارِثِ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Muhammad Said: 'Does Not The One Who Raises His Head Before The Imam Fear That Allah Will Transform His Head Into A Donkey'S Head?'
[1] These are some of the narrators in the chain, and it is a clarification of the correct wording in Arabic, see Al-Bukhārī no. 691.Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 582In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 39English translation : Vol. 2, Book 1, Hadith 582
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 582
This Hadith about following the imam gives a serious warning to anyone who moves ahead of the imam in prayer. The Prophet asked whether the person who raises his head before the imam does not fear that Allah may transform his head into the head of a donkey. The wording is strong, so the lesson is clear: the follower should not rush. Congregational prayer has order. The imam leads, and the worshipper follows. The Hadith does not discuss every movement of prayer; it focuses on raising the head before the imam. It teaches calmness, discipline, and respect for the structure of salah.
What we learn from this hadith
- A person praying behind an imam should not raise his head before the imam.
- Rushing in congregational prayer is treated as a serious matter in the Hadith.
- The imam is meant to be followed, not preceded.
- Prayer should be performed with calmness and order.
