footsteps. He also prolonged the prostration when al-Hasan climbed upon his back, and he said: "This son of mine has used me as a mount, and I disliked to hasten him." He also said: "Indeed, I hear the crying of a child while I am in prayer, so I lighten it, disliking to burden his mother." He also said: "Whoever leads the people in prayer, let him lighten it, for among them are the elderly, the weak, and those with needs." Waiting was also legislated in the prayer of fear so that the second group could catch up, and because one who is waiting for the prayer is in a state of prayer. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to wait for the congregation; Jabir said: The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would pray the night prayer (Isha) sometimes [early], and at other times, when he saw that they had gathered, he would hasten, and when he saw that they were slow, he would delay it. Through all of this, what they mentioned regarding the 'associating of others' (tashrik) is invalidated. The Judge (al-Qadi) said: Waiting is permissible, but not recommended, and one only waits for someone who has entitlement, such as people of knowledge and their peers among the people of virtue.
(8) Previously cited in 2/278. (9) Previously cited in 2/468. (10) Previously cited in 2/240. (11) Recorded by al-Bukhari, in: The Chapter of Anger, Admonition, and Teaching when one sees what he disapproves of, from the Book of Knowledge; and in: The Chapter: If one prays for himself, he may prolong it as he wishes; and The Chapter: Whoever complains about his Imam if he prolongs the prayer, from the Book of Adhan. Sahih al-Bukhari 1/34, 180. And by Muslim, in: The Chapter on Ordering the Imams to Lighten the Prayer for Completion, from the Book of Prayer. Sahih Muslim 1/340, 341. And by al-Tirmidhi, in: The Chapter on what has been narrated regarding: If one of you leads the people, let him lighten it, from the Chapters of Prayer. Aridat al-Ahwadhi 2/36. And by al-Nasa'i, in: The Chapter on what is incumbent upon the Imam regarding lightening the prayer, from the Book of Leadership. Al-Mujtaba 2/74. And by Ibn Majah, in: The Chapter on whoever leads a people, let him lighten it, from the Book of Establishing Prayer. Sunan Ibn Majah 1/315. And by al-Darimi, in: The Chapter on what the Imam is ordered regarding lightening the prayer, from the Book of Prayer. Sunan al-Darimi 1/288. And by Imam Malik, in: The Chapter on Practice in the Funeral Prayer, from the Book of Congregational Prayer. Al-Muwatta 1/134. And by Imam Ahmad, in: Al-Musnad 2/256, 393, 502, 537, 4/21, 22, 118, 119, 216. (12) In the original: "li-yudrika" (that he may catch up). (13) Dropped from the original. (14) Recorded by al-Bukhari, in: The Chapter on the Time of Maghrib, from the Book of Fixed Times. Sahih al-Bukhari 1/147. And by Muslim, in: The Chapter on the Recommendation to Perform the Morning Prayer Early... etc., from the Book of Mosques. Sahih Muslim 1/446, 447. And by al-Nasa'i, in: The Chapter on Hastening the Isha Prayer, from the Book of Fixed Times. Al-Mujtaba 1/211, 212. And by al-Darimi, in: The Chapter on the Times of Prayer, from the Book of Prayer. Sunan al-Darimi 1/267. And by Imam Ahmad, in: Al-Musnad 3/369.
