He said: "The Imam has only been appointed to be followed, so do not differ from him. When he says the takbir, say the takbir; when he bows, then bow; when he says: 'Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him)', then say: 'Rabbana wa lakal-hamd (Our Lord, and to You is the praise)'; when he prostrates, then prostrate; and when he prays sitting, then pray sitting altogether." Agreed upon (5). His statement: "When he bows, then bow," necessitates that their bowing should be after his bowing, because he followed it (6) with the fa of sequence (ta'qib), so it must be after it, just like your saying: "Zayd came, then 'Amr," meaning he came after him. If he conforms to his Imam in the actions of the prayer, such that he bows and prostrates with him, he has done wrong, but his prayer is valid.
Section: It is not permissible to precede one's Imam, due to the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): "Do not precede me in bowing, nor in prostrating, nor in standing, nor in departing (finishing the prayer)." Narrated by Muslim (7). And from (8) Abu Hurayrah, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Does one of you not fear, when he raises his head before the Imam, that Allah might change his face into the face of a donkey?" Agreed upon (9). And because of what we have narrated of
= from the Book of Prayer. Sunan Abi Dawud 1/145. And Ibn Majah, in: Chapter on the prohibition of preceding the Imam in bowing and prostrating, from the Book of Establishing Prayer. Sunan Ibn Majah 1/309. And Imam Ahmad, in: Al-Musnad 4/92, 98. (5) Previously mentioned on page 131 of this volume. (6) Dropped from the original. (7) In: Chapter on the prohibition of preceding the Imam in bowing, prostration, and the like, from the Book of Prayer. Sahih Muslim 1/320. It was also narrated by Abu Dawud, in: Chapter on what the follower is commanded regarding following the Imam, and Chapter on he who departs before the Imam, from the Book of Prayer. Sunan Abi Dawud 1/145, 146. And al-Nasa'i, in: Chapter on the prohibition of preceding the Imam in departing from the prayer, from the Book of Forgetfulness. Al-Mujtaba 3/69. And Ibn Majah, in: Chapter on the prohibition of preceding the Imam in bowing and prostrating, from the Book of Establishing Prayer. Sunan Ibn Majah 1/309. And al-Darimi, in: Chapter on the prohibition of preceding the Imam, from the Book of Prayer. Sunan al-Darimi 1/302. And Imam Ahmad, in: Al-Musnad 3/102, 115, 126, 130, 154, 170, 228, 234, 240, 245, 269, 279, 284, 290. (8) The conjunction 'waw' was dropped from [M]. (9) Narrated by al-Bukhari, in: Chapter on the sin of he who raises his head before the Imam, from the Book of the Adhan. Sahih al-Bukhari 1/177. And Muslim, in: Chapter on the prohibition of preceding the Imam in bowing, prostration, or the like, from the Book of Prayer. Sahih Muslim 1/320, 321. It was also narrated by Abu Dawud, in: Chapter on the severity regarding he who raises his head before the Imam or lowers it before him, from the Book of Prayer. Sunan Abi Dawud 1/145. And al-Tirmidhi, in: Chapter on what has been mentioned regarding the severity toward the one who raises his head before the Imam, from the Chapters of Jumu'ah. 'Aridat al-Ahwadhi 3/62. And al-Nasa'i, in: Chapter on preceding the Imam, from the Book of =
