The Book of Leading the Prayer (Al-Imamah)

It was narrated that Abu Mas'ud Al-Ansiri said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to gently pat our shoulders (to make sure the row was straight) at the time of prayer, and he-would say:'Keep (the rows) straight; do not differ from one another lest your hearts would be afflicted with discord. Let those who are mature and wise stand closest to me, then those who are next to them, then those who are next to them."' Abu Mas'ud said: Today, there is much disharmony among you. ,Abu 'Abdur-Rabin (An-Nasai)said: (One of the narrators) Abu Ma'mar's name is 'Abdullah bin Sakhbarah.

It was narrated that Qais bin 'Ubad said: "While I was in the Masjid in the first row, a man pulled me from behind and moved me aside, and took my place. By Allah, I could not focus on my prayer, then when he left I saw that it was Ubayy bin Ka'b. He said: '0 boy, may Allah protect you from harm. This is what the Prophet instructed us to do, to stand directly behind him.' Then he (Ubayy) turned to face the Qiblah and said: 'Doomed are Ah1 Al-'Uqd, by the Lord of the Ka'bah! - three times.'Then he said: 'By Allah, I am not sad for them, but I am sad for the people whom they have misled.' I said: '0 Abu Ya'qub, what do you mean by Ah1 Al-'Uqd?' He said: 'The rulers."'

Abu Salamah bin 'Abdur Rahman narrated that he heard Abu Hurairah say: "The Iqamah for prayer was said, and we stood up and the rows were straightened, before the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out to us. Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to us and stood in the place where he prayed, before he said the Takbir he paused and said to us: 'Stay where you are.' So we stayed there, waiting for him, until he came out to us; he had performed Ghusl and his head was dripping with water. Then he said the Takbir and prayed."

It was narrated that An-Numan bin Bashir said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to straighten the rows like shaft of an arrow is straightened before the head is attached to it. He saw a man whose chest was sticking out from the row. I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: 'Make your rows straight or Allah will cause your faces to be deformed."

It was narrated that Al-Bara bin Azib said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to go between the rows from one side to another, patting our shoulders and chests and saying: 'Do not make your rows ragged or your hearts will be filled with enmity toward one another.' And he used to say: 'Allah and His angels send Salah upon the front rows."'

It was narrated that Abu Mas'ad Al-Ansari said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to gently pat our shoulders (to make sure the row was straight) at the time of prayer, and he would say: 'Keep (the rows) straight; do not differ from one another lest your hearts should suffer from discord. Let those who are mature and wise stand closest to me, then those who are next to them, then those who are next to them."'

It was narrated from Anas that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say: "Make your rows straight, make your rows straight, make your rows straight. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! I can see you behind me as I can see you in front of me."

It was narrated that Anas said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)turned to face us when he stood up to pray, before he said the Takbir and said: 'Make your rows straight and come close to one another, for I can see you behind my back."'

Anas narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Make your rows solid and close together, and keep your necks in line. By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad! I can see the shaitan entering through the gaps in the rows as if they are small sheep."

It was narrated that Jabir bin Samurah said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out to us and said:'Will you not form rows as the angels form rows before their Lord? They said: 'How do the angels form rows before their lord? He said: 'They complete the first row and fill the gaps in the rows."'

It was narrated from Al'Irbad bin Sariyah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to send Salah on the first row three times and on the second row once.

It was narrated from Anas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Complete the first row, then the one behind it, and if any row is to be leftincomplete let it be the last row."

It was narrated from 'Abdullih bin 'Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)said: "Whoever completes a row, may Allah be generous to him, and whoever cuts a row, may Allah cut him off."

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The best rows for men are the front rows and the worst are the last, and the best rows for women are the back rows and the worst are those in the front."'

It was narrated that 'Abdul Hamid bin Mahmud said: "We were with Anas and we prayed with one of the Amirs. They pushed us until we stood and prayed between two rows, and Anas started moving backward and said: 'We used to avoid this at the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)."

It was narrated that Al Bara said: "When we prayed behind the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) I liked to be to his right."

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ)said: "When any one of you leads the people in prayer, let him make it short, for among them are the sick, the weak and the elderly. And when any one of you prays by himself, let him make it as long as he wishes."

It was narrated from Anas that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to make his prayer very brief but still complete when leading people.

It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin Abi Qatadah, from his father that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "I stand in prayer, then I hear a child crying, so I make my prayer brief, because I do not want to cause hardship for his mother."

It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin 'Umar said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to enjoin upon us to make the prayer short, but he would lead us in prayer and recite As-Saffat."

It was narrated that Abu Qatadah said: "I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)leading the people in prayer, carrying Umamah bint Abi Al-As on his shoulder. When he bowed he put her down and when he stood up from prostration he picked her up again."

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: "Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'Does the one who raises his head before the Imam not fear that Allah may turn his head into the head of a donkey?"'

It was narrated that Abu Ishaq said: "I heard 'Abdullah bin Yazid delivering a Khutbah. He said: 'Al-Bara, who was no liar,told us that when they prayed with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would raise his head from bowing and they would remain standing until they saw him prostrate, then they would prostrate."'

It was narrated that Hittan bin 'Abdullah said: "Abu Musa led us in prayer and when he was sitting, a man from among the people entered and said: 'Prayer is based on righteousness and is always mentioned longside Zakah (in the Qur'in).' When Abu Musa had said the Salam, he turned to the people and said: 'Which of you spoke these words?' The people kept quiet. Then he said: '0 Hittan, perhaps you said it?' He said: 'No, but I was afraid that you would rebuke me for it.' He said:'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught us our prayer and Sunnah prayers, and he said: The Imam is appointed to be followed, so when he says the Takbir, say the Takbir; when he says"Not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray," say Amin, and Allah will respond to you; when he frombowing and rises up says, 'Sami' Allalhu liman hamidah (Allih hears those who praise Him), say 'Rabbana lakal-hamd (Our Lord, toYou be praise),' and Allah will hear you; when he prostrates, prostrate, and when he sits up, sit up. The Imam should prostrate before youdo and sit up before you do.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'This makes up for that."'

It was narrated that Jabir said: "A man from the Ansar came when the Iqamah for prayer hadbeen said. He entered the Masjid and prayed behind Muadh, and he(Muadh) made the prayer lengthy. The man went away and prayed in a comer of the Masjid, then he left. When Muadh finished praying, it was said to him that so-and-so had done such and such. Muadh said:'Tomorrow I will mention that to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).' So Muadh came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and told him about that. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent for him and asked him: 'What made you do what you did? He said: '0 Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), I had been working with my camel to bring water all day, and when I came the Iqamah for prayer had already been said, so I entered the Masjid and joined him in the prayer, then he recited such and such a Surah and made it lengthy, soI went away and prayed in a comer of the Masjid.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Do you want to cause hardship to the people, 0 Muadh do you want to cause hardship to thepeople, 0 Muadh do you want to cause hardship to the people, 0 Muadh?"'

It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) rode a horse and fell from it, and sustained an injury on his rightside. He led one of the prayers sitting, and we prayed behind him sitting. When he had finished he said: "The Imam is appointed to be followed. If he prays standing then pray standing; when he bows, bow; when he says, Sami' Allahu limanhamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him), say 'Rabbana lakalhamd (Our Lord, to You be praise); and if he prays sitting then pray sitting, all of you."

It was narrated that Aisha said: "When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) became seriously ill, Bilal came to tell him it was time to pray and he said: 'Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer."' She said: "I said: '0 Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), Abu Bakr is a tender-hearted man, and when he stands in your place he will not be able to make the people hear his voice; why don't you tell 'Umar (to do it)?' He said: 'Tell a Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer.' I said to Hafsah: 'Tell him.' So she told him. He said: 'You are (like) the female companions of Yosuf. Tell Abu Bakr lead the people in prayer."' She said: "So they told Abu Bakr. When he started to pray, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) began to feel better, so he got up and came with the help of two men, with his feet dragging along the ground. (When) he entered the Masjid, AbuBakr heard him coming and he wanted to step back, but the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) gestured to him: 'Stay where you are.' Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came and sat on Abu Bakr's left, so the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was leading the people in prayer sitting, and Abu Bakr was standing and following the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and the people were following the prayer of Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him."

It was narrated that 'Ubaidullah bin 'Abdullah said: "I entered upon Aisha and said: 'Will you not tell me about the sickness of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)?' She said: 'When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), became seriously ill, he said: "Have the people prayed?" We said: "No, they are waiting for you, 0 Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)" He said: "Put some water in a tub for me." We did that and he performed Ghusl, then he tried to get up but he fainted. Then he came to us and said: "Have the people prayed?" We said: "No, they are waiting for you, 0 Messenger ofAllah (ﷺ)." He said: "Put some water ina tub for me." We did that and he performed Ghusl, then he tried to get up but he fainted. Then for the third time he said the same thing. She said: The people were in the Masjid, waiting for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to lead the prayer. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent word to Abu Bakr, telling him to lead the people in prayer, so the messenger came to him and said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) is telling you to lead the people in prayer." Abu Bakr was a tenderhearted man, he said: "0 'Umar. lead the in prayer." But ('Umar) said: "You have more right to that." So Abu Bakr led them in prayer during those days. When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) felt a little better, he came withthe help of two men, one of whom was Al-'Abbas, to pray Zuhr. When Abu Bakr saw him, he wanted to step back, but the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) gestured to him not to step back. He told them (the two men) to seat him beside Abu Bakr, and Abu Bakr started to pray standing. The people were following the prayer of Abu Bakr and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was praying sitting."'"I ('Ubaidullah) entered upon Ibn Abbas and said 'Shall I not tell you what Aisha narrated to me about the sickness of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)?' He said: 'Yes.' So I told him and he did not deny any of it, but he said: 'Did she tell you the name of the man who was with Al-'Abbas?' I said: 'No.' He said: 'Thatwas Ali, may Allah honor his face."'

It was narrated that 'Amr said: "I heard Jabir bin 'Abdullah say: 'Mu'adh used to pray with the Prophet (ﷺ) then he would go back to his people to lead them in a prayer. He stayed late one night and prayed with the Prophet (ﷺ) then he went back to his people to lead them in prayer, and he recited Surat Al-Baqarah. When a man from his people heard that, he stepped aside and prayed (on hisown), then he left. They said: 'You have become a hypocrite, 0 so and-so!' He said: 'By Allah, I have not become a hypocrite, and I will go to the Prophet (ﷺ) and tell him (about that),' So he went to the Prophet and said: '0 Messenger of Allah(ﷺ), Muadh prays with you, then he comes to lead us in prayer. You delayed the prayer, and he prayed with you then he came back to lead us in prayer, and he started to recite Shut Al-Baqarah. When Iheard that, I stepped aside and prayed by myself, because we are people who bring water with the camels and we work hard.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said to him: '0 Muadh, do you want to cause hardship to the people? Recite such and such a Surah, and such and such a Surah."'

837. It was narrated from Abu Bakr that the Prophet (ﷺ) offered the fear prayer (Salat Al-Khauf). He led those who were behind him in two Rak'ah and those who came (after them) in two Rak'ah, so the Prophet (ﷺ) prayed four Rak'ahs and each group prayed two.