Fatwa ID: 08107
Answered by: Maulana Sheik Abdel Ahaad Imrit
Question:
What is our proof to say you must follow the Imam immediately?
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Wa ʿalaykumu s-salam waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,
Hazrat Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The imam is appointed to be followed. When he says ‘Allah is most great,’ say ‘Allah is most great,’ but do not say it until he has said it. When he bows, bow, but do not bow until he has bowed. And when he says, ‘Allah listens to the one who praises Him,’ say, ‘O Allah, our Lord, to You belongs all praise.’” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 603, Darul Risalah ‘Alamiyyah, Vol. 1, p. 452)
This narration has also been reported by Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim, Imam Tirmidhi, and Imam Ibn Majah. It has been cited multiple times for various purposes, with slight variations in wording.
In the Arabic text of this hadith, the letter “ف” (fa’) is present, which, according to the principles of Hanafi jurisprudence, signifies both immediacy and connection. This indicates that one action should follow another in quick succession without delay.
As explained in classical works:
Ḥashiyat al-Ṭahṭawi ʿala Maraqi al-Falaḥ Sharh Nur al-Idha (p. 255):
“Following the imam in the obligatory and required acts without delay, is obligatory.”
Ḥashiyat Ibn ʿAbidin al-Ḥalabī Edition (1/470):
“Indeed, following the imam in the obligatory and required acts without delay is obligatory.”
Mirʿat al-Mafatih Sharh Mishkat al-Masabih (3/123):
‘When he says the takbīr (Allah is the Greatest), then you also say the takbīr.’ This is a command for the follower to make their takbīr immediately after the imam’s takbīr. The follower should not say it before or simultaneously with the imam but only after him, as the letter fa’ (ف) indicates immediacy.”
«سنن أبي داود» (1/ 452 ت الأرنؤوط):
603 – حدَّثنا سُليمان بن حرب ومسُلم بن إبراهيم -المعنى- عن وُهَيب، عن مُصعب بن محمَّد، عن أبي صالح
«عن أبي هريرةَ قال: قال رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “إنَّما جُعِلَ الإمامُ ليؤتَمَّ به، فإذا كبّر فكبّروا، ولا تُكبّروا حتَّى يُكبّر، وإذا ركعَ فاركعوا، ولا تركعوا حتَّى يركعَ، وإذا قال: سمعَ اللهُ لمن حَمِدَه، فقولوا: اللهمَّ ربنا لك الحمدُ -قال مسلم: ولك الحمدُ-، وإذا سجدَ فاسجُدوا، ولا تسجدوا حتَّى يسجدَ، وإذا صلَّى قائماً فصلُّوا قياماً، وإذا صلَّى قاعداً فصلُّوا قُعوداً أجمعين”.
قال أبو داود: “اللهم ربنا لك الحمدُ”: أفهمني بعضُ أصحابنا عن سليمان.»
«حاشية الطحطاوي على مراقي الفلاح شرح نور الإيضاح» (ص255):
«أن متابعة الإمام في الفرائض والواجبات من غير تأخير واجبة»
«حاشية ابن عابدين = رد المحتار ط الحلبي» (1/ 470):
«أَنَّ مُتَابَعَةَ الْإِمَامِ فِي الْفَرَائِضِ وَالْوَاجِبَاتِ مِنْ غَيْرِ تَأْخِيرٍ وَاجِبَةٌ،»
«أصول الشاشي» (ص193):
«الْفَاء للتعقيب مَعَ الْوَصْل»
Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.
Written by Mawlana Sheik Abdel Ahaad Imrit
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
