• I asked Ahmad again, saying: "What if a man performs ruku' [bowing] short of the row?" He said: "There is no harm in it, provided he catches the Imam while he is bowing." I said: "[What if] the Imam raises his head before he reaches the row?" It was as if he preferred that he should not count this rak'ah.

1184 - Abu Bakr al-Humaydi narrated to us, saying: Sufyan narrated to us, saying: al-Zuhri narrated to us, saying: I was told by Abu Umamah ibn Sahl, that he saw Zayd ibn Thabit perform ruku' short of the row, then he walked while in the bowing position until he reached the row.

Chapter: One Who Prays Alone Behind the Row

• I asked Ahmad, saying: "What if a man prays behind the row alone?" He said: "He must repeat the prayer."

• And I asked Ishaq ibn Ibrahim, saying: "A man prayed behind the row alone?" He said: "He must repeat the prayer." I said to Ishaq: "What if he prayed one rak'ah, then someone came and stood beside him?" He said: "He must repeat that rak'ah."

1185 - 'Abbas ibn al-Walid narrated to us, saying: 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-Wahid narrated to us, saying: I heard al-Awza'i say—regarding a man who prays alone behind the row—he said: "He is commanded to repeat the prayer."