manner as the first, exactly. It is obligatory by consensus. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would perform two prostrations, and there is no disagreement regarding him in that.
Section: It is recommended that the follower begin the actions of the prayer—such as rising and lowering—after the Imam has finished them, and performing them simultaneously with him is disliked according to the majority of scholars. Malik deemed it recommended that his actions be performed concurrently with the Imam's actions. Our evidence is what al-Bara' narrated, saying: When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him)," we would remain standing until we saw him place his forehead on the ground, then we would follow him. Agreed upon (2). According to al-Bukhari: None of us would bend his back until the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had fallen into prostration, then we would fall into prostration after him. And from Abu Musa, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave us a sermon, explained our Sunnah to us, and taught us our prayer, saying: "When you pray, straighten your rows, and let one of you lead you. When he says the takbir, say the takbir"—up to his saying— "When he bows, then bow, for the Imam bows before you and rises before you." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "That is for that." Narrated by Muslim (3). In another wording: "Whatever I precede you in when I bow, you will catch up with me when I rise" (4). Abu Hurayrah narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that he
(1) Meaning: 'anyone', or by the passive voice. (2) Narrated by al-Bukhari, in: Chapter on when one behind the Imam should prostrate, and Chapter on prostration on seven bones, from the Book of the Adhan. Sahih al-Bukhari 1/177, 206. And Muslim, in: Chapter on following the Imam and acting after him, from the Book of Prayer. Sahih Muslim 1/345. It was also narrated by Abu Dawud, in: Chapter on what the follower is commanded regarding following the Imam, from the Book of Prayer. Sunan Abi Dawud 1/145. And al-Tirmidhi, in: Chapter on what has been mentioned regarding the dislike of preceding the Imam in bowing and prostrating, from the Chapters of Prayer. 'Aridat al-Ahwadhi 2/77, 78. And Imam Ahmad, in: Al-Musnad 4/300, 304. (3) In: Chapter on the Tashahhud in prayer, from the Book of Prayer. Sahih Muslim 1/303, 304. It was also narrated by Abu Dawud, in: Chapter on the Tashahhud, from the Book of Prayer. Sunan Abi Dawud 1/223. And al-Nasa'i, in: Chapter on preceding the Imam, from the Book of Leadership, and in: Chapter on his saying: 'Our Lord, and to You is the praise', and Chapter on another type of Tashahhud, from the Book of Al-Tatbiq, and in: Chapter on another type of Tashahhud, from the Book of Forgetfulness. Al-Mujtaba 2/75, 76, 154, 192, 3/36. And al-Darimi, in: Chapter on the statement after rising from bowing, and Chapter on the description of the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), from the Book of Prayer. Sunan al-Darimi 1/300, 301, 315, 316. And Imam Ahmad, in: Al-Musnad 4/409, 415. (4) It is from Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, may Allah be pleased with him, and it was narrated by Abu Dawud, in: Chapter on what is commanded regarding following the Imam
