The Book of Leading the Prayer (Al-Imamah)

Chapter 1Chapter: Mention of Al-Imamah and the congregation

Good chain (hasan) No. 777

"When the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) passed away, the Ansar said: 'Let there be an Amir from among us and an Amir from among you.' Then 'Umar came to them and said: 'Do you not know that the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) commanded Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer? Who mong you could accept to put himself…

أَمَرَ أَبَا بَكْرٍ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ فَأَيُّكُمْ تَطِيبُ نَفْسُهُ أَنْ يَتَقَدَّمَ أَبَا بَكْرٍ قَالُوا نَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ أَنْ نَتَقَدَّمَ أَبَا بَكْرٍ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd + 2 other versions

Chapter 2Chapter: Praying with tyrannical leaders

Authentic No. 778

"Ziyad delayed the prayer, then Ibn Samit came to me and I gave him a chair and he sat on it. I told him what Ziyad had done and he bit his lip (in disapproval), and he struck me on the thigh and said: 'I asked Abu Dharr the same question you asked me, and he struck me on the thigh as I struck you…

‏"‏ صَلِّ الصَّلاَةَ لِوَقْتِهَا فَإِنْ أَدْرَكْتَ مَعَهُمْ فَصَلِّ وَلاَ تَقُلْ إِنِّي صَلَّيْتُ فَلاَ أُصَلِّي ‏"

Narrated by Abu Dharr + 6 other versions

Authentic No. 779

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'You may live to meet people who will be offering the prayer outside its (prayer) time. If you meet them, then offer the prayer on time, then pray with them and make that a voluntary prayer."'

"‏ لَعَلَّكُمْ سَتُدْرِكُونَ أَقْوَامًا يُصَلُّونَ الصَّلاَةَ لِغَيْرِ وَقْتِهَا فَإِنْ أَدْرَكْتُمُوهُمْ فَصَلُّوا الصَّلاَةَ لِوَقْتِهَا وَصَلُّوا مَعَهُمْ وَاجْعَلُوهَا سُبْحَةً ‏"

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd + 2 other versions

Chapter 3Chapter: Who has more right to Imamah

Authentic No. 780

"The Messenger of Allah(ﷺ)said: 'Let the one who has most knowledge of the Book of Allah lead the people in prayer. If they are equal in terms of knowledge of the Qur'h, let the one who emigrated first (lead them). If they are equal in terms of emigration, let the one who has more knowledge of the…

"‏ يَؤُمُّ الْقَوْمَ أَقْرَؤُهُمْ لِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ كَانُوا فِي الْقِرَاءَةِ سَوَاءً فَأَقْدَمُهُمْ فِي الْهِجْرَةِ فَإِنْ كَانُوا فِي الْهِجْرَةِ سَوَاءً فَأَعْلَمُهُمْ بِالسُّنَّةِ فَإِنْ كَانُوا فِي السُّنَّةِ…

Narrated by Abu Mas‘ūd al-Badrī + 17 other versions

Chapter 4Chapter: Those who are older going forward (to lead the prayer)

Authentic No. 781

"I came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) with a cousin of mine" - once he said, "with a friend of mine" - and he said: 'When you travel, call the Adhan and Iqamah, and let the older of you lead the prayer.'"

"‏ إِذَا سَافَرْتُمَا فَأَذِّنَا وَأَقِيمَا وَلْيَؤُمَّكُمَا أَكْبَرُكُمَا ‏"

Narrated by Mālik ibn al-Huwayrith + 3 other versions

Chapter 5Chapter: When people are together and are all of the same status

Authentic No. 782

"when there are three people let one of them lead the prayer, and the one who is most entitled to lead the prayer is the one who has most knowledge of the Qur'an."

"‏ إِذَا كَانُوا ثَلاَثَةً فَلْيَؤُمَّهُمْ أَحَدُهُمْ وَأَحَقُّهُمْ بِالإِمَامَةِ أَقْرَؤُهُمْ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri + 11 other versions

Chapter 6Chapter: When people are together and one of them is the ruler

Authentic No. 783

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'A man should not be led in prayer in his place of authority, and no one should sit in his place of honor except with his permission."'

"‏ لاَ يُؤَمُّ الرَّجُلُ فِي سُلْطَانِهِ وَلاَ يُجْلَسُ عَلَى تَكْرِمَتِهِ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Mas‘ūd al-Badrī + 17 other versions

Chapter 7Chapter: When a man from the people comes forward (to lead the prayer) then the ruler comes-should he step back?

Authentic No. 784

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) has been delayed (there) and the time for prayer has come, will you lead the people in prayer?" Abu Bakr said: 'Yes, if you wish.' Bilal said the Iqamah and Abu Bakr went forward and said the Takbir for the people. Then the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) came, passing through the…

"‏ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ مَا لَكُمْ حِينَ نَابَكُمْ شَىْءٌ فِي الصَّلاَةِ أَخَذْتُمْ فِي التَّصْفِيقِ إِنَّمَا التَّصْفِيقُ لِلنِّسَاءِ مَنْ نَابَهُ شَىْءٌ فِي صَلاَتِهِ فَلْيَقُلْ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهُ لاَ…

Narrated by Sahl ibn Sa‘d + 6 other versions

Chapter 8Chapter: The prayer of an Imam behind a man of his people

Authentic No. 785

"In the last prayer that the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) prayed with the people, he prayed wrapped up in a single garment, behind Abu Bakr."

صَلَّى فِي ثَوْبٍ وَاحِدٍ مُتَوَشِّحًا خَلْفَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ ‏.‏

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 2 other versions

Authentic No. 786

It was narrated from Aisha that Abu Bakr led the people in prayer and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)was in the row.

أَبَا بَكْرٍ، صَلَّى لِلنَّاسِ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الصَّفِّ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Chapter 9Chapter: A visitor leading the prayer

Authentic No. 787

"I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: 'When any one of you visits some people,he should not lead them in prayer."'

"‏ إِذَا زَارَ أَحَدُكُمْ قَوْمًا فَلاَ يُصَلِّيَنَّ بِهِمْ ‏"

Narrated by Mālik ibn al-Huwayrith + 2 other versions

Chapter 10Chapter: A blind man leading the prayer

Authentic No. 788

"Sometimes it is dark or rainy or there is a flood, and I am a blind man; 0 Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), (come and) pray in a place in my house that I may take as a prayer-place." He said: "Where would you like me to pray for you?" He showed him a place in his house, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)…

"‏ أَيْنَ تُحِبُّ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ لَكَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَأَشَارَ إِلَى مَكَانٍ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ فَصَلَّى فِيهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم

Narrated by Itbān ibn Mālik + 2 other versions

Chapter 11Chapter: A boy leading the prayer before reaching puberty

Authentic No. 789

"Riders used to pass by us and we would leam the Qur'an from them. My father came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and he said: 'Let the one of you who knows most Qur'an leads the prayer.' My father came and said that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had said: 'Let the one of you who knows most Quran lead you in…

"‏ لِيَؤُمَّكُمْ أَكْثَرُكُمْ قُرْآنًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَنَظَرُوا فَكُنْتُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ قُرْآنًا فَكُنْتُ أَؤُمُّهُمْ وَأَنَا ابْنُ ثَمَانِ سِنِينَ ‏.‏

Narrated by Amr ibn Salima + 2 other versions

Chapter 12Chapter: People standing when they see the Imam

Authentic No. 790

"The messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'When the call to prayer is given, do not stand up until you see me.'"

"‏ إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلاَةِ فَلاَ تَقُومُوا حَتَّى تَرَوْنِي ‏"

Narrated by Abu Qatāda + 4 other versions

Chapter 13Chapter: If something comes upon the Imam after the iqamah has been said

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) No. 791

"The Iqamah for prayer was said, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was conversing privately with a man, and did not commence the prayer until the people slept."

فَمَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ حَتَّى نَامَ الْقَوْمُ ‏.‏

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 4 other versions

Chapter 14Chapter: After standing in the place where he prays, the Imam remembers that he is not in a state of purity

Authentic No. 792

"The Iqamah for prayer was said and the people stood in rows, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out. Then when he stood in the place where he prayed, he remembered that he had not performed Ghusl. He said to the people: 'Stay where you are.' Then he went back to his house, then he came out with…

وَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى إِذَا قَامَ فِي مُصَلاَّهُ ذَكَرَ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَغْتَسِلْ فَقَالَ لِلنَّاسِ ‏"‏ مَكَانَكُمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَى بَيْتِهِ فَخَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا يَنْطِفُ رَأْسُهُ…

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 1 other version

Chapter 15Chapter: The Imam appointing someone else to lead the prayer in his absence

Authentic No. 793

"There was some fighting among Banu 'Amr bin 'Awf, and news of that reached the Prophet (ﷺ). He prayed Zuhr, then he went to them to reconcile between them. Then he said to Bilal: 'O Bilal, if the time for Asr comes and I have not come back, then tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.' When…

إِذَا حَضَرَ الْعَصْرُ وَلَمْ آتِ فَمُرْ أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَتْ أَذَّنَ بِلاَلٌ ثُمَّ أَقَامَ فَقَالَ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ رضى الله عنه تَقَدَّمْ ‏.‏ فَتَقَدَّمَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَدَخَلَ فِي…

Narrated by Sahl ibn Sa‘d

Chapter 16Chapter: Following the Imam in prayer

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) No. 794

"The Imam is appointed to be followed. When he bows, then bow, when he stands up, then stand up, when he prostrates, then prostrate, and when he says Sami' Alldhu liman hamidah (Allah hears the one who praises Him), then say, Rabbanri lakal-hamd (Our Lord, to You be the praise)."

"‏ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا رَفَعَ فَارْفَعُوا وَإِذَا سَجَدَ فَاسْجُدُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ فَقُولُوا رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ ‏"

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 16 other versions

Chapter 17Chapter: Following those who are following the Imam

Authentic No. 795

"Come forward and follow me, and let those who are behind you follow your lead. If people continue to lag behind, Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, will put them back."

"‏ تَقَدَّمُوا فَأْتَمُّوا بِي وَلْيَأْتَمَّ بِكُمْ مَنْ بَعْدَكُمْ وَلاَ يَزَالُ قَوْمٌ يَتَأَخَّرُونَ حَتَّى يُؤَخِّرَهُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri + 11 other versions

Differing grades No. 796

(Another chain) from Abu Nadrah (from Abu Sa'eed) with similar narration.

أَخْبَرَنَا سُوَيْدُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنِ الْجُرَيْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي نَضْرَةَ، نَحْوَهُ ‏.‏

+ 11 other versions

Authentic No. 797

"The Prophet was in front of Abu Bakr and he prayed sitting down, and Abu Bakr was leading the people in prayer, and the people were behind Abu Bakr."

أَمَرَ أَبَا بَكْرٍ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَيْنَ يَدَىْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَصَلَّى قَاعِدًا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ وَالنَّاسُ خَلْفَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 3 other versions

Authentic No. 798

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) led us in Zuhr prayer and Abu Bakr was behind him. When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said the Takbir, Abu Bakr said the Takbir so that the people could hear."

صَلَّى بِنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الظُّهْرَ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ خَلْفَهُ فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَبَّرَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُسْمِعُنَا ‏.‏

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 1 other version

Chapter 18Chapter: Where the Imam should stand when there are three, and the discrepancy regarding that

Authentic No. 799

"We entered upon 'Abdullah at midday and he said: 'There will be rulers who would be distracted from praying on time, so pray on time.' Then he stood up and prayed between him and I, and said: 'This is what I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) do."'

قَامَ فَصَلَّى بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ فَقَالَ هَكَذَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَعَلَ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd

Weak No. 800

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr passed by me and Abu Bakr said to me: '0 Mas'ud, go to Abu Tamim' - meaning the man from whom he had been freed - 'and tell him to give us a camel so that we could ride, and let him send us some food and a guide to show us the way.' So I went to my former…

فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي وَقَامَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَقَدْ عَرَفْتُ الإِسْلاَمَ وَأَنَا مَعَهُمَا فَجِئْتُ فَقُمْتُ خَلْفَهُمَا فَدَفَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي صَدْرِ…

Narrated by Mas‘ūd

Chapter 19Chapter: When three men and one woman pray together

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) No. 801

"Get up and I will lead you in prayer." Anas said: "So I got up and brought a reed mat of ours that had turned black from long use, and spreaded some water on it. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stood and the orphan and I stood in a row behind him, and the old woman stood behind us, and he led us in…

"‏ قُومُوا فَلأُصَلِّيَ لَكُمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَنَسٌ فَقُمْتُ إِلَى حَصِيرٍ لَنَا قَدِ اسْوَدَّ مِنْ طُولِ مَا لُبِسَ فَنَضَحْتُهُ بِمَاءٍ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَصَفَفْتُ أَنَا وَالْيَتِيمُ…

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 10 other versions

Chapter 20Chapter: When there are two men and two women

Authentic No. 802

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered upon us and the only people present were myself, my mother, the orphan and Umm Harh, my maternal aunt. He said: 'Stand up and I will lead you in prayer.' It was not the time for a (prescribed) prayer. And he led us in prayer."

"‏ قُومُوا فَلأُصَلِّيَ بِكُمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فِي غَيْرِ وَقْتِ صَلاَةٍ - قَالَ - فَصَلَّى بِنَا

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik

Authentic No. 803

It was narrated from Anas that he and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and his mother, and his maternal aunt (were together). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed, and he told Anas to stand on his right and his mother and maternal aunt behind them.

فَصَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَجَعَلَ أَنَسًا عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَأُمَّهُ وَخَالَتَهُ خَلْفَهُمَا ‏.‏

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik

Chapter 21Chapter: Where an Imam should stand when there is a boy and a woman with him

Authentic No. 804

"I prayed beside the Prophet (ﷺ) and Ayesha was behind us praying with us, and I was beside the Prophet (ﷺ) praying with him."

صَلَّيْتُ إِلَى جَنْبِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَعَائِشَةُ خَلْفَنَا تُصَلِّي مَعَنَا وَأَنَا إِلَى جَنْبِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أُصَلِّي مَعَهُ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 2 other versions

Authentic No. 805

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) led me and a woman from my family in prayer. He made me to stand on his right and the woman to stand behind us."

فَأَقَامَنِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَالْمَرْأَةُ خَلْفَنَا ‏.‏

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik

Chapter 22Chapter: Where the Imam should stand when the person praying with him is a boy

Authentic No. 806

"I stayed overnight with my maternal aunt Maimunah, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) got up to pray at night. I stood on his left, so he did this to me: He took me by the head and made me stand on his right."

يُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَقُمْتُ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ فَقَالَ بِي هَكَذَا فَأَخَذَ بِرَأْسِي فَأَقَامَنِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 9 other versions

Chapter 23Chapter: Who should stand immediately behind Imam and who should stand behind them

Authentic No. 807

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to gently pat our shoulders (to make sure the row was straight) at the time of prayer, and he-would say:'Keep (the rows) straight; do not differ from one another lest your hearts would be afflicted with discord. Let those who are mature and wise stand closest to me…

"‏ لاَ تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ لِيَلِيَنِّي مِنْكُمْ أُولُو الأَحْلاَمِ وَالنُّهَى ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو مَسْعُودٍ فَأَنْتُمُ الْيَوْمَ أَشَدُّ…

Narrated by Abu Mas‘ūd al-Badrī + 10 other versions

Authentic No. 808

"While I was in the Masjid in the first row, a man pulled me from behind and moved me aside, and took my place. By Allah, I could not focus on my prayer, then when he left I saw that it was Ubayy bin Ka'b. He said: '0 boy, may Allah protect you from harm. This is what the Prophet instructed us to…

يَا فَتَى لاَ يَسُؤْكَ اللَّهُ إِنَّ هَذَا عَهْدٌ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَيْنَا أَنْ نَلِيَهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ فَقَالَ هَلَكَ أَهْلُ الْعُقَدِ وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ قَالَ…

Narrated by ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b + 1 other version

Chapter 24Chapter: Setting up rows before the Imam comes out

Authentic No. 809

"The Iqamah for prayer was said, and we stood up and the rows were straightened, before the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out to us. Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to us and stood in the place where he prayed, before he said the Takbir he paused and said to us: 'Stay where you are.' So we…

لَنَا ‏"‏ مَكَانَكُمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَلَمْ نَزَلْ قِيَامًا نَنْتَظِرُهُ حَتَّى خَرَجَ إِلَيْنَا قَدِ اغْتَسَلَ يَنْطِفُ رَأْسُهُ مَاءً فَكَبَّرَ وَصَلَّى

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 1 other version

Chapter 25Chapter: How the Imam should straighten the rows

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) No. 810

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to straighten the rows like shaft of an arrow is straightened before the head is attached to it. He saw a man whose chest was sticking out from the row. I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: 'Make your rows straight or Allah will cause your faces to be deformed."

"‏ لَتُقِيمُنَّ صُفُوفَكُمْ أَوْ لَيُخَالِفَنَّ اللَّهُ بَيْنَ وُجُوهِكُمْ ‏"

Narrated by An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr + 16 other versions

Authentic No. 811

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to go between the rows from one side to another, patting our shoulders and chests and saying: 'Do not make your rows ragged or your hearts will be filled with enmity toward one another.' And he used to say: 'Allah and His angels send Salah upon the front rows."'

"‏ لاَ تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَكَانَ يَقُولُ ‏"‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلاَئِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى الصُّفُوفِ الْمُتَقَدِّمَةِ ‏"

Narrated by Al-Barā' ibn ‘Āzib + 8 other versions

Chapter 26Chapter: What the Imam should say regarding straightening the rows when he comes forward

Authentic No. 812

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to gently pat our shoulders (to make sure the row was straight) at the time of prayer, and he would say: 'Keep (the rows) straight; do not differ from one another lest your hearts should suffer from discord. Let those who are mature and wise stand closest to me…

"‏ اسْتَوُوا وَلاَ تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ وَلْيَلِيَنِّي مِنْكُمْ أُولُو الأَحْلاَمِ وَالنُّهَى ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abu Mas‘ūd al-Badrī + 10 other versions

Chapter 27Chapter: Hoe many times should he say "Make your rows straight?"

Authentic No. 813

"Make your rows straight, make your rows straight, make your rows straight. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! I can see you behind me as I can see you in front of me."

"‏ اسْتَوُوا اسْتَوُوا اسْتَوُوا فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ إِنِّي لأَرَاكُمْ مِنْ خَلْفِي كَمَا أَرَاكُمْ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَىَّ ‏"

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 3 other versions

Chapter 28Chapter: The Imam encouraging (worshippers) to make the rows solid and stand close to one another

Authentic No. 814

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)turned to face us when he stood up to pray, before he said the Takbir and said: 'Make your rows straight and come close to one another, for I can see you behind my back."'

"‏ أَقِيمُوا صُفُوفَكُمْ وَتَرَاصُّوا فَإِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ مِنْ وَرَاءِ ظَهْرِي ‏"

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 11 other versions

Authentic No. 815

"Make your rows solid and close together, and keep your necks in line. By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad! I can see the shaitan entering through the gaps in the rows as if they are small sheep."

"‏ رَاصُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ وَقَارِبُوا بَيْنَهَا وَحَاذُوا بِالأَعْنَاقِ فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ إِنِّي لأَرَى الشَّيَاطِينَ تَدْخُلُ مِنْ خَلَلِ الصَّفِّ كَأَنَّهَا الْحَذَفُ ‏"

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 5 other versions

Authentic No. 816

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out to us and said:'Will you not form rows as the angels form rows before their Lord? They said: 'How do the angels form rows before their lord? He said: 'They complete the first row and fill the gaps in the rows."'

"‏ أَلاَ تَصُفُّونَ كَمَا تَصُفُّ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالُوا وَكَيْفَ تَصُفُّ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ قَالَ ‏"‏ يُتِمُّونَ الصَّفَّ الأَوَّلَ ثُمَّ يَتَرَاصُّونَ فِي الصَّفِّ ‏"

Narrated by Jābir ibn Samurah + 12 other versions

Chapter 29Chapter: The superiority of the first row over the second

Authentic No. 817

It was narrated from Al'Irbad bin Sariyah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to send Salah on the first row three times and on the second row once.

يُصَلِّي عَلَى الصَّفِّ الأَوَّلِ ثَلاَثًا وَعَلَى الثَّانِي وَاحِدَةً ‏.‏

Narrated by Al-‘irbād ibn Sāriya + 2 other versions

Chapter 30Chapter: The last row

Authentic No. 818

"Complete the first row, then the one behind it, and if any row is to be left incomplete let it be the last row."

"‏ أَتِمُّوا الصَّفَّ الأَوَّلَ ثُمَّ الَّذِي يَلِيهِ وَإِنْ كَانَ نَقْصٌ فَلْيَكُنْ فِي الصَّفِّ الْمُؤَخَّرِ ‏"

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 2 other versions

Chapter 31Chapter: One who completes a row

Authentic No. 819

"Whoever completes a row, may Allah be generous to him, and whoever cuts a row, may Allah cut him off."

"‏ مَنْ وَصَلَ صَفًّا وَصَلَهُ اللَّهُ وَمَنْ قَطَعَ صَفًّا قَطَعَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ‏"

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 4 other versions

Chapter 32Chapter: The best row for women and the worst row for men

Authentic No. 820

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The best rows for men are the front rows and the worst are the last, and the best rows for women are the back rows and the worst are those in the front."'

"‏ خَيْرُ صُفُوفِ الرِّجَالِ أَوَّلُهَا وَشَرُّهَا آخِرُهَا وَخَيْرُ صُفُوفِ النِّسَاءِ آخِرُهَا وَشَرُّهَا أَوَّلُهَا ‏"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 13 other versions

Chapter 33Chapter: A row between two pillars

Authentic No. 821

"We were with Anas and we prayed with one of the Amirs. They pushed us until we stood and prayed between two rows, and Anas started moving backward and said: 'We used to avoid this at the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)."

فَدَفَعُونَا حَتَّى قُمْنَا وَصَلَّيْنَا بَيْنَ السَّارِيَتَيْنِ فَجَعَلَ أَنَسٌ يَتَأَخَّرُ وَقَالَ قَدْ كُنَّا نَتَّقِي هَذَا عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 1 other version

Chapter 34Chapter: The place in the row that is recommended

Authentic No. 822

"When we prayed behind the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) I liked to be to his right."

كُنَّا إِذَا صَلَّيْنَا خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Al-Barā' ibn ‘Āzib

Chapter 35Chapter: The Imam should make the prayer short

Authentic No. 823

"When any one of you leads the people in prayer, let him make it short, for among them are the sick, the weak and the elderly. And when any one of you prays by himself, let him make it as long as he wishes."

"‏ إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ بِالنَّاسِ فَلْيُخَفِّفْ فَإِنَّ فِيهِمُ السَّقِيمَ وَالضَّعِيفَ وَالْكَبِيرَ فَإِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ لِنَفْسِهِ فَلْيُطَوِّلْ مَا شَاءَ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 6 other versions

Authentic No. 824

It was narrated from Anas that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to make his prayer very brief but still complete when leading people.

أَخَفَّ النَّاسِ صَلاَةً فِي تَمَامٍ ‏.‏

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 11 other versions

Authentic No. 825

"I stand in prayer, then I hear a child crying, so I make my prayer brief, because I do not want to cause hardship for his mother."

"‏ إِنِّي لأَقُومُ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَأَسْمَعُ بُكَاءَ الصَّبِيِّ فَأُوجِزُ فِي صَلاَتِي كَرَاهِيَةَ أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَى أُمِّهِ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Qatāda + 6 other versions

Chapter 36Chapter: The concession allowing the Imam to offer a lengthy prayer

Authentic No. 826

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to enjoin upon us to make the prayer short, but he would lead us in prayer and recite As-Saffat."

يَأْمُرُ بِالتَّخْفِيفِ وَيَؤُمُّنَا بِالصَّافَّاتِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar