Chapter: When the Imam performs the Taslim, those behind him should perform the Taslim

• I heard Ahmad ibn Hanbal say: "When the Imam performs the Taslim, it is appropriate for those behind him to perform the Taslim; they should follow the Imam."

• And I heard Ishaq say: "If you are with the Imam, when the Imam performs the Taslim, perform the Taslim to your right and to your left: 'Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah, Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah.' And one should respond to the Imam in any case."

1090 - Muhammad ibn Nasr ibn Sa'id narrated to us, he said: Hassan ibn Ibrahim narrated to us, from Sufyan, from Ja'far ibn Burqan, from Khusayf, from Mujahid, from Ibn Umar, that he used to prefer that when the Imam performed the Taslim, those behind him should perform the Taslim along with his Taslim.

Sufyan said: "If anything of the Tashahhud remains for him, let him perform the Taslim; that is more beloved to me."

Chapter: The departure of the Imam when he performs the Taslim

• I asked Ahmad ibn Hanbal, I said: When the Imam performs the Taslim, does he turn to his right or to his left? He said: "Both of these are permissible."

• And I asked Ishaq, I said: When the Imam performs the Taslim, upon which side should he turn? He said: "If he wishes, to his right, and if he wishes, to his left," then he mentioned the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that he used to turn to his right and to his left. I said: Is that referring to the departure? He said: "This is like it."

1091 - Ishaq narrated to us, he said: Mushir ibn Abd al-Malik informed us, he said: My father informed me, from Abd Khayr, he said: I saw Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) pray the morning prayer, and when he performed the Taslim, he turned to his right.