Chapter: The Imam Leading the Prayer while Sitting

• Ahmad was asked: If an Imam prays while sitting, how should those behind him pray? He said: "It has been reported that they should pray according to his prayer." It was said: What about the hadith of Za'idah; the hadith of 'Ubaydullah ibn 'Abdullah, from 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prayed sitting, while Abu Bakr was standing, and the people were praying standing behind Abu Bakr? He said: "This was: Abu Bakr began the prayer, then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came afterward and sat. If the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had begun the prayer [himself]..."—meaning: he is of the opinion that they should pray behind him in the manner he began it.

• And I asked Ishaq, and I said: If an Imam is afflicted by an illness and leads the people in prayer while sitting, should those behind him pray sitting? He said: "Yes." I questioned him again on this issue to verify it, and he said: "Yes."

1255 - 'Abbas ibn 'Abd al-'Azim narrated to us, he said: 'Abdullah ibn Dawud narrated to us, from al-A'mash, from Ibrahim, from al-Aswad, from 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) led the people in prayer while sitting, and Abu Bakr was beside him standing, making the people hear [the takbir].