Rulings of the Imam and Followers in Prayer
37 hadiths
When one of you joins the prayer and finds the Imām in a certain position, he should do what the Imām is doing
‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib and Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When one of you joins the prayer and finds the Imām in a certain position, he should do what the Imām is doing."
Straighten your rows, for indeed, straightening the row is from the perfection of the prayer
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Straighten your rows, for indeed, straightening the row is from the perfection of the prayer."
Is he who raises his head before the Imam not afraid that Allah may transform his head into that of a donkey or his shape into that of a donkey?
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Is he who raises his head before the Imam not afraid that Allah may transform his head into that of a donkey or his shape into that of a donkey?"
If any of you leads the people in prayer, let him shorten it, because among them are the weak, the sick, and the busy. If any of you prays alone, then let him prolong (his prayer) as much as he wishes
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If any of you leads the people in prayer, let him shorten it, because among them are the weak, the sick, and the busy (who have needs to fulfill). If any of you prays alone, then let him prolong (his prayer) as much as he wishes."
The Imām is appointed so that he should be followed; so, do not act differently from him. When he makes Takbīr all of you should say it after him; bow when he bows; say "O our Lord, all praise be to You" when he says: Allah hears the one who praises Him; prostrate when he prostates; and all of you should pray sitting when he prays sitting
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The Imām is appointed so that he should be followed; so, do not act differently from him. When he makes Takbīr all of you should say it after him; bow when he bows; say 'O our Lord, all praise be to You' when he says: Allah hears the one who praises Him; prostrate when he prostates; and all of you should pray sitting when he prays sitting."
Tasbīh is for the men, and clapping is for the women
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Tasbīh is for the men, and clapping is for the women."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw a man praying alone behind the row, so he commanded him to repeat his prayer
Wābisah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw a man praying alone behind the row, so he commanded him to repeat his prayer.
'When you pray, straighten your rows and let one of you lead in prayer, and when he says takbīr, say takbīr
Hittān ibn' Abdullāh ar-Raqāshi reported: I observed prayer with Abu Mūsa al-Ash'ari, and when he was in the tashahhud, someone among the people said: "The prayer has been made obligatory along with benevolence and Zakah." When Abu Mūsa finished the prayer and made taslīm, he turned to the people and said: "Who amongst you said such and such thing?" A hush fell on the people. He again said: "Who amongst you has said such and such thing?" A hush fell on the people. He said, "O Hittān, perhaps you have uttered it." Hittān said: "No, I have not uttered it. I feared you might be annoyed with me because of this." A person amongst the people said: "It was I who said it, and I intended nothing but good with it." Abu Mūsa said: "Do you not know what you have to say in your prayers? Verily, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) addressed us, explaining to us our Sunnah and teaching us our prayer, and said: 'When you pray, straighten your rows and let one of you lead in prayer, and when he says takbīr, say takbīr; when he recites {Not of those who incurred Your Wrath, or of those who went astray} [Surat al-Fātihah: 7], say 'amen'; and Allah will respond to you. And when he says takbīr, you also say takbīr, for the Imām bows and rises before you.' Then, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'This is equivalent to that. And when he says, 'Sami'a Allāhu liman hamidah' (Allah hears he who praises Him), you should say: 'Allahumma rabbanā laka al-hamd' (O Allah, our Lord, praise be to You), and Allah will hear you, for Allah Almighty said through the tongue of His Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): Allah hears he who praises Him. And when he says takbīr and prostrates, you should also say takbīr and prostrate, for the Imām prostrates before you and rises before you.' Then, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'This is equivalent to that. And when he sits for tashahhud, the first words of everyone amongst you should be: 'Attaḥiyyāt at-ṭayyibāt aṣ-ṣalawātu lillāhi, assalāmu 'alayka 'ayyuh an-nabiyyu wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh, assalāmu' alayna wa 'alā 'ibadillāhi aṣ-ṣāliḥīn. Ash'hadu an lā 'ilāha illā Allah wa ash'hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasūluh.' (All greetings, good things, and prayers are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and the righteous servants of Allah. I testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger)."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw a person sitting aloof and not praying with the people. He asked him: “O so-and-so, what prevented you from offering the prayer with the people?” He replied: “O Messenger of Allah, I am ritually impure and there is no water.” In response, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “You should use clean earth, and that will be sufficient for you.”
‘Imrān ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw a person sitting aloof and not praying with the people. He asked him: "O so and so, what prevented you from offering the prayer with the people?" He replied: "O Messenger of Allah, I am ritually impure and there is no water." In response, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You should use clean earth, and that will be sufficient for you."
Straighten your rows, or Allah will cause dissension amongst you
An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Straighten your rows or Allah will cause dissension amongst you.'' In another narration: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to straighten our rows, as if he was straightening arrows, until he saw that we had learned it from him. One day he came out, stood for prayer and was about to say 'Allah Akbar' (to start the prayer) when he saw a man whose chest was bulging out from the row. So he said: 'Slaves of Allah, either you straighten your rows or Allah will cause dissension amongst you.'"
Once I came riding a female donkey when I had almost attained the age of puberty. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was leading people in prayer at Mina with no wall in front of him
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Once I came riding a female donkey when I had almost attained the age of puberty. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was leading people in prayer at Mina with no wall in front of him, and I passed in front of part of the row. I dismounted and let the female donkey loose to graze and I joined the row and none objected to that.
Get up and I will lead you in prayer
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: My grandmother, Mulaykah, invited the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to come and eat some food she had prepared for him. He ate some of it and said: "Get up and I will lead you in prayer." So I got up and brought a reed mat of ours that had turned black from prolonged use, and sprinkled some water on it. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessing be upon him) stood up and the orphan and I stood in a row behind him, and the elderly woman stood behind us. He led us praying two Rak‘ahs, then he left. In a narration by Muslim: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) led him and his mother in prayer; and he made me stand on his right side and the woman stand behind us."
I have never prayed behind an Imām who was more brief and more perfect in prayer than the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I have never prayed behind an Imām who was more brief and more perfect in prayer than the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
It would have been better if you had recited Sūrat al-A‘la, Sūrat Ash-Shams, or Sūrat al-Layl, for the old, the weak, and the needy pray behind you
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal used to offer the ‘Ishā' prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and then return to his people and lead them in the same prayer." It is reported in another narration that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to Mu‘ādh: "It would have been better if you had recited Sūrat al-A‘la, Sūrat Ash-Shams, or Sūrat al-Layl, for the old, the weak, and the needy pray behind you."
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ''Sami‘allāhu liman hamidah (Allah hears whoever praises him),'' none of us would bend his back until the Prophet (ﷺ) had fallen in prostration. We would then fall in prostration right after him
‘Abdullah ibn Yazīd al-Khatmi reported: Al-Barā’—and he is not a liar—said to me: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ''Sami‘allāhu liman hamidah (Allah hears whoever praises him),'' none of us would bend his back until the Prophet (ﷺ) had fallen in prostration. We would then fall in prostration right after him.
News about the dispute among the people of Banu ‘Amr ibn ‘Awf reached the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and so he went to them, along with some of his Companions, to effect reconciliation between them
Sahl ibn Sa‘d As-Sā‘idi (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: News about the dispute among the people of Banu ‘Amr ibn ‘Awf reached the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and so he went to them, along with some of his Companions, to effect reconciliation between them. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not come back, and the time of the prayer was due. Bilāl went to Abu Bakr and said to him: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has not come yet and the time of prayer is due. Could you lead the people in prayer?" Abu Bakr said: "Yes, if you wish." Bilāl pronounced the Iqāmah and Abu Bakr went forward and said Takbīr and the people said it after him. In the meantime, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came in crossing the rows (of the praying people) and stood in the (first) row and the people started clapping. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) would never glance side-ways in his prayer, but when the people clapped much he looked back and saw the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) beckoned to him to carry on with the prayer. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) raised his hands and praised Allah, and retreated till he reached the (first) row. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went forward and led the people in the prayer. When he completed the prayer, he faced the people and said: "O people, why did you start clapping when something unusual happened to you in the prayer? Clapping is only for women. So whoever among you comes across something in the prayer should say 'Subhān Allah' for there is none who will not turn around on hearing 'Subhān Allah'. O Abu Bakr, what prevented you from leading the people in the prayer when I beckoned to you to do so?" Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: "How dare the son of Abu Quhāfah lead the prayer in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)?"
Do not do so. If any of you prays in his house and finds that the Imām has not prayed, he should pray along with him; and that will be a supererogatory prayer for him
Jābir ibn Yazīd ibn al-Aswad reported that his father prayed along with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when he was a young boy. When he (the Prophet) had prayed, there were two people (sitting) in the corner of the mosque; they did not pray (along with the Prophet). He called for them. They were brought trembling (before him). He asked: "What prevented you from praying along with us?" They replied: "We have already prayed in our houses." He said: "Do not do so. If any of you prays in his house and finds that the Imām has not prayed, he should pray along with him; and that will be a supererogatory prayer for him."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was once riding a horse and fell down from it, injuring his right side
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was once riding a horse and fell down from it, injuring his right side. He led one of the prayers while sitting, and we prayed behind him sitting as well. When he finished the prayer, he said: "The Imām is meant to be followed, so when he prays standing, then pray standing; and when he bows, bow; and when he rises from bowing, rise; and when he says: 'Allah hears those who praise Him)', then say: 'Our Lord, for You is all praise'; and when he prays standing, then pray standing; and when he prays sitting, then all of you pray sitting."
Come forward and be close to me and let those who come after you, follow your lead. If people continue to fall behind, Allah puts them behind
The Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) perceived a tendency among his Companions to stand in the back rows, and he said to them: "Come forward and be close to me and let those who come after you, follow your lead. If people continue to fall behind, Allah puts them behind."
O people, you cause aversion to others. Whoever leads people in prayer should make it brief, for among them are the sick, the weak, and those with needs to be fulfilled
Abu Mas‘ūd al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said: "O Messenger of Allah, I would almost fail to attend the prayer because so-and-so prolongs it when he leads us." I never saw the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) more angry in giving admonition than he was on that day. He said: "O people, you cause aversion to others. Whoever leads people in prayer should make it brief, for among them are the sick, the weak, and those with needs to be fulfilled."
Offer this prayer at this time and that prayer at that time. When the time for a prayer is due, let one of you call the Adhān, and let the one who knows the Qur’an most lead the prayer
Ayyūb reported from Abu Qilābah from ‘Amr ibn Salamah: Abu Qilābah said to me: "Will you not meet and ask him (‘Amr ibn Salamah)" I said: "I met him and asked him, so he said: ‘We were at a water place that was a thoroughfare for people. Riders would pass by us, and we would ask them: 'What are people up to? What are people up to? Who is that man?' They would say: 'He claims that Allah has sent him and revealed to him. Or Allah has revealed such and such.'' So I used to memorize that speech, as if it was instilled in my heart. Meanwhile, the Arabs (Bedouin tribes) delayed their conversion to Islam until the Conquest. So they would say: 'Leave him and his people, for indeed if he prevails over them, he is a true Prophet.' When the incident of the people of Conquest took place, every tribe rushed to embrace Islam, and my father hurried to embrace Islam before (the rest of) my tribe. When he came back, he said: 'By Allah, I have come to you from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) for sure! He said: 'Offer this prayer at this time and that prayer at that time. When the time for a prayer is due, let one of you call the Adhān, and let the one who knows the Qur’an most lead the prayer.'' They checked and found none with more Qur’an than me, for I used to meet the riders. Therefore, they made me to lead them, when I was only six or seven years old. I had on me a garment, which would recede when I would prostrate. A lady from the tribe thus said: 'Will you not cover the bottom of your reader from us?' So they bought (a piece of cloth) and cut me an apparel. I had never been so happy with anything as I was with that apparel."
The one who is the most versed in Allah's Book should lead the people in prayer
Abu Mas‘ūd al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The one who is the most versed in Allah's Book should lead the people in prayer. If they are equally versed in reciting it, then the one who is the most knowledgeable about the Sunnah; and if they are equal regarding the Sunnah, then the earliest one to emigrate; if they emigrated at the same time, then the earliest one to embrace Islam. No man must lead another in prayer where the latter has authority, or sit in his place in his house without his permission.”
An orphan and I prayed behind the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in our house, and my mother Umm Sulaym was standing behind us
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: An orphan and I prayed behind the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in our house, and my mother Umm Sulaym was standing behind us.
May Allah increase your keenness, but do not do that again
Al-Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Bakrah came while the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was bowing, so he bowed before reaching the row and then walked to it. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) finished the prayer, he said: "Which one of you bowed before reaching the row and then walked thereto?" Abu Bakrah replied: "It was me." The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "May Allah increase your keenness, but do not do that again."
Umm Waraqah bint ‘Abdullāh ibn al-Hārith al-Ansāri reported that she had memorized the Qur'an, and the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered her to lead her household in prayers. There was a Muezzin for her, and she used to lead her household in prayer
Umm Waraqah bint ‘Abdullāh ibn al-Hārith al-Ansāri reported that she had memorized the Qur'an, and the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered her to lead her household in prayers. There was a Muezzin for her, and she used to lead her household in prayer.
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) appointed Ibn Umm Maktūm as his successor to lead the people in prayer, and he was blind
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) appointed Ibn Umm Maktūm as his successor to lead the people in prayer, and he was blind.
أقيمت الصلاة والنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يناجي رجلًا في جانب المسجد
عن أنس بن مالك قال: أقيمت الصلاة والنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يناجي رجلًا في جانب المسجد، فما قام إلى الصلاة حتى نام القوم.
لقد رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي في الخفين والنعلين
عن عبد الله بن مسعود أنه أتى أبا موسى الأشعري في منزله، فحضرت الصلاة، فقال أبو موسى: تقدم يا أبا عبد الرحمن، فإنك أقدم سنًّا وأعلم، قال: لا، بل تقدم أنت، فإنما أتيناك في منزلك ومسجدك، فأنت أحق. قال: فتقدم أبو موسى فخلع نعليه، فلما سلم قال: ما أردت إلى خلعهما؟ أبالوادي المقدس أنت؟ لقد رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي في الخفين والنعلين.
لقد رأيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كثيرًا ينصرف عن يساره
عن عبد الله بن مسعود أنه قال: لا يجعلْ أحدُكم للشيطان شيئًا من صلاته، يَرَى أن حقًّا عليه ألا ينصرف إلا عن يمينه، لقد رأيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كثيرًا ينصرف عن يساره.
أيها الناس، إني إمامكم، فلا تسبقوني بالركوع ولا بالسجود
عن أنس قال: صلى بنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ذات يوم، فلما قضى الصلاة أقبل علينا بوجهه، فقال: «أيها الناس، إني إمامكم، فلا تسبقوني بالركوع ولا بالسجود، ولا بالقيام ولا بالانصراف، فإني أراكم أمامي ومن خلفي» ثم قال: «والذي نفس محمد بيده، لو رأيتم ما رأيت لضحكتم قليلًا ولبكيتم كثيرًا» قالوا: وما رأيت يا رسول الله قال: «رأيت الجنة والنار».
أحسنتم، يغبطهم أن صلوا الصلاة لوقتها.
عن المغيرة بن شعبة أنه غزا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم تبوك، قال المغيرة: فتبرَّز رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قِبَل الغائط، فحملتُ معه إِداوةً قبل صلاة الفجر، فلما رجع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إليَّ أخذتُ أُهريقُ على يديه من الإداوة، وغسل يديه ثلاث مرات ثم غسل وجهه، ثم ذهب يخرج جبته عن ذراعيه، فضاق كُمَّا جُبته فأدخل يديه في الجبة، حتى أخرج ذراعيه من أسفل الجبة، وغسل ذراعيه إلى المرفقين، ثم توضأ على خفيه، ثم أقبل، قال: المغيرة: فأقبلت معه حتى نجد الناس قد قدَّموا عبد الرحمن بن عوف فصلى لهم فأدرك رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إحدى الركعتين فصلى مع الناس الركعة الآخرة، فلما سلم عبد الرحمن بن عوف قام رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يُتِمُّ صلاتَه فأفزع ذلك المسلمين فأكثروا التسبيح، فلما قضى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم صلاتَه أقبل عليهم، ثم قال: «أحسنتم» أو قال: «قد أصبتم» يغبطهم أن صلوا الصلاة لوقتها.
يا فلان، بأي الصلاتين اعتددت؟ أبصلاتك وحدك، أم بصلاتك معنا؟
عن عبد الله بن سَرْجِس قال: دخل رجل المسجد ورسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في صلاة الغداة، فصلى ركعتين في جانب المسجد، ثم دخل مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فلما سلم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «يا فلان، بأي الصلاتين اعتددت؟ أبصلاتك وحدك، أم بصلاتك معنا؟».
ليلني منكم أولو الأحلام والنهى ثم الذين يلونهم
عن أبي مسعود قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يمسح مناكبنا في الصلاة، ويقول: «استووا، ولا تختلفوا، فتختلف قلوبكم، لِيَلِنِي منكم أولو الأحلام والنُّهى ثم الذين يلونهم، ثم الذين يلونهم» قال أبو مسعود: «فأنتم اليوم أشدُّ اختلافًا».
إذا أقيمت الصلاة فلا تقوموا حتى تروني
عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلّى اللهُ عَليهِ وسلَّم: «إِذَا أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَلاَ تَقُومُوا حَتَّى تَرَوْنِي، وَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالسَّكِينَةِ».
مُرُوا أبا بكر أن يصلِّي بالناس
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ: لَمَّا ثَقُلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ جَاءَ بِلاَلٌ يُوذِنُهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ، فَقَالَ: «مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ»، فَقُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ، وَإِنَّهُ مَتَى مَا يَقُمْ مَقَامَكَ لاَ يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ، فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ، فَقَالَ: «مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ» فَقُلْتُ لِحَفْصَةَ: قُولِي لَهُ: إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ، وَإِنَّهُ مَتَى يَقُمْ مَقَامَكَ لاَ يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ، فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ، قَالَ: «إِنَّكُنَّ لَأَنْتُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ، مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ» فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ وَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً، فَقَامَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ، وَرِجْلاَهُ يَخُطَّانِ فِي الأَرْضِ، حَتَّى دَخَلَ المَسْجِدَ، فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حِسَّهُ ذَهَبَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَتَأَخَّرُ، فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَتَّى جَلَسَ عَنْ يَسَارِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، فَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي قَائِمًا، وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي قَاعِدًا، يَقْتَدِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِصَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَالنَّاسُ مُقْتَدُونَ بِصَلاَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ. مُتَّفقٌ عَلَيهِ. وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ لِلبُخَارِيِّ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ: لَقَدْ رَاجَعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي ذَلِكَ، وَمَا حَمَلَنِي عَلَى كَثْرَةِ مُرَاجَعَتِهِ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَقَعْ فِي قَلْبِي أَنْ يُحِبَّ النَّاسُ بَعْدَهُ رَجُلًا قَامَ مَقَامَهُ أَبَدًا، وَلاَ كُنْتُ أُرَى أَنَّهُ لَنْ يَقُومَ أَحَدٌ مَقَامَهُ إِلَّا تَشَاءَمَ النَّاسُ بِهِ، فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ يَعْدِلَ ذَلِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ.
Go back to your families and stay with them. Teach them (religion) and command them (to adhere to it), perform so-and-so prayer at so-and-so time, and when prayer becomes due, let one of you call the Adhān and let the oldest among you lead you in prayer
Abu Sulaymān, Mālik ibn al-Huwayrith, (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when we were young and of about the same age. We stayed with him for twenty nights. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was merciful and compassionate; so, he realized our longing for our families. He asked us about our families whom we had left behind and we told him about them. Thereupon, he said: "Go back to your families and stay with them. Teach them (religion) and command them (to adhere to it), perform so-and-so prayer at so-and-so time, and when prayer becomes due, let one of you call the Adhān and let the oldest among you lead you in prayer." Another version by Al-Bukhāri has this addition: "Pray as you saw me pray.”
صليت مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ذات ليلة، فافتتح البقرة، فقلت: يركع عند المائة، ثم مضى، فقلت: يصلي بها في ركعة، فمضى، فقلت: يركع بها، ثم افتتح النساء
عن حذيفة رضي الله عنه قال: صليت مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ذات ليلة، فافتتح البقرة، فقلت: يركع عند المائة، ثم مضى، فقلت: يصلي بها في ركعة، فمضى، فقلت: يركع بها، ثم افتتح النساء، فقرأها، ثم افتتح آل عمران، فقرأها، يقرأ مُتَرَسِّلًا، إذا مر بآية فيها تسبيح سبح، وإذا مر بسؤال سأل، وإذا مر بتعوذ تعوذ، ثم ركع، فجعل يقول: «سبحان ربي العظيم»، فكان ركوعه نحوًا من قيامه، ثم قال: «سمع الله لمن حمده»، ثم قام طويلا قريبا مما ركع، ثم سجد، فقال: «سبحان ربي الأعلى»، فكان سجوده قريبا من قيامه. قال: وفي حديث جرير من الزيادة، فقال: «سمع الله لمن حمده ربنا لك الحمد».