This is part 10 of 19 of “The Book of Prayer”, book 13 of Al-Kafi — Hadith 5,213–5,262. The book is long enough that it is split across 19 pages so each one stays quick to load; the parts run in order and are linked at the foot of the page.
15. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar from abu Usamah Zayd al-Shahham who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘You must not go near Salah (prayer) while you are drunk.’ (4:46) He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a reference to sleep.’”
16. A group of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from ibn Sinan from ’Umar ibn Yazid who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Nothing of sleep is permissible in Salah (prayer).”’ (Ahadith 2-16 are best explained in the form of fatwa.)
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhaynah from Zurarah who has said the following: “I asked abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ’People say that performing Salah (prayer) in congregation is more virtuous than twenty-five Salah (prayer) performed alone. Is this true ? 5 The Imam replied, ‘What they say is right.’ I then asked, ‘Can two people be considered a congregation?’ He, ‘Alayhi al- Salam, said, ‘Yes, but one should stand on the right side of the prayer leader.’”
2. A group has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Yusuf from his father who has said the following: “I heard abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘Al-Juhaniy came to the Holy Prophet and asked, “O Messenger of Allah, I live in open land (unpopulated) with my family, children, and slaves. I say Adhan and ‘Iqamah and lead them in Salah (prayer). Are we considered a congregation?” The Messenger of Allah replied, “Yes, you are a congregation.” He then asked, “O Messenger of Allah, sometimes the slaves follow the drops from the cloud, then my family, children and I remain home. I say Adhan and Iqamah and lead them in Salah (prayer). Are we considered a congregation?” The Messenger of Allah replied, “Yes, you are a congregation.” He then asked, “O Messenger of Allah, sometimes my children go out after the cattle, only then my family and I remain home. I then say Adhan and Iqamah and lead them in Salah (prayer). Am I a congregation?” The Messenger of Allah replied, “Yes, you are a congregation.” He then asked, “O Messenger of Allah, the female (his wife) goes for her things to do and I then remain by myself. I then say Adhan and Iqamah and perform Salah (prayer). Am I a congregation?” The Messenger of Allah replied, “Yes, the believer, by himself is a congregation.’””
3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy, from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “If one performs the five Salah (prayer) in congregation you should think good about him.’””
4. A group has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Should a man among you who may sell his slave girl to someone, not feel embarrassed, if she says that her previous owner would not attend Salah (prayer) in congregation?”’
5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan all Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once was sitting in the presence of abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, when a man came to him and said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I am a man in the neighborhood of the Masjid of my people. If I do not perform Salah (prayer) with them, they turn against me and say that I am so and so. He (the Imam) said, ‘When you say this, notice that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al- Salam, has said, “Whoever hears the call and does not respond without good reason, his Salah (prayer) is nothing of value.’” The man then left and he (the Imam) said to him, ‘You must not ignore performing Salah (prayer) with them and behind every Imam.’ When he left I said to him (the Imam), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, your words to this man seem very big to me when he asked your fatwa especially if he is not of the believing people. He (the Imam) laughed, then said, ’From now on I want to see you nowhere else but here, O Zurarah. What other greater proof you need than the fact that he does not perform Salah (prayer) behind him?’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Have you not seen (found, understood) me saying, “Perform Salah (prayer) in your Masjid. Perform Salah (prayer) behind your ’A’immah (plural of Imam).’”
6. Hammad has narrated from Hariz from Zurarah and al-Fudayl who have said the following: “We once asked him (the Imam), ‘Is Salah (prayer) in congregation obligatory?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Salah (prayer) is obligatory but congregating for it in general is not obligatory; however, it is of the Sunnah. Whoever omits it in disregard and in disregard of the group of believers without good reason, his Salah (prayer) is nothing of value.’”
7. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash’ariy from Mu‘alla’ ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from al-Mufaddal ibn Salih from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has sad, ‘Those of you who are just behind the Imam are people of forbearance and wisdom, so that if Imam forgets or becomes tired they can help. The excellent row is the first row and excellent in the first row is the place nearest to the Imam. The height of the excellence of Salah (prayer) in congregation over Salah (prayer) of a man alone is twenty-five degrees in paradise.’”
8. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad through the same chain of his narrators has said following: “He (the Imam) has said, ‘The excellence of performing Salah (prayer) in the center of the rows over that in the left is like the excellence of performing Salah (prayer) in congregation over performing Salah (prayer) alone individually.’”
9. Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtariy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘It is counted in your favor if you join them even if you do not follow them, just like it is counted in your favor when you are with those whom you follow.’” (Ahadith 5-9 are best explained in the form of fatwa.)
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya al-‘ Attar has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ’In Salah (prayer) with an Imam I complete the recitation before he does.’ He (the Imam) said, ’Leave one verse, speak of the glory of Allah and praise Him and when he (the Imam) completes, read that verse, then perform Ruku’ (bowing down on one’s knees).”’
2. It is a narration from him (narrator of previous Hadith) by Ahmad from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad al-Hajjal from Tha’labah from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about performing Salah (prayer) behind those who oppose our belief. He (the Imam) said, ‘To me they are but walls (scarecrows).”’
3. Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar from the one who has asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said the following: I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘Can I perform Salah (prayer) behind one whom I do not follow and complete recitation when he has not yet completed?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Say Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects) until he completes.’”
4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthaman from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When you perform Salah (prayer) behind an Imam who is not qualified, read behind him the recitation, regardless, you hear him or not.’”
5. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Mahziyar from Ali ibn Rashid who has said the following: “I said to abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘You have different friends, thus, I perform Salah (prayer) behind every one of them.’ The Imam said, ‘Do not perform Salah (prayer) behind anyone whom you cannot trust in matters of his religion.’ He then said, ‘I have many friends.’ I said, ‘You have many companions.’ He then immediately, before I could mention their names, said, ‘No, (do not mention their names). Ali ibn Hadid requires you to do this. Is this what Ali ibn Hadid commands you to do?’ I replied, ‘Yes, that is correct.’”
6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘Certain people have narrated that ’Amir al-Mu’minin performed four Rak‘at after Friday without any interval of saying Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) in between. He (the Imam) said, ‘O Zurarah, ’Amir al-Mu’minin performed Salah (prayer) behind a sinful one. When he said Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) and moved away ’Amir al-Mu’minin stood up, performed four Rak‘at without interval in between by means of saying Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace). A man from his side then said, ‘O abu al- Hassan you performed four Rak‘at without interval in between.’ He (’Amir al-Mu’minin)) said, ‘They were four similar Rak‘at’ and remained quiet. By Allah, he did not understand what he said.’”
7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Hadid from Jamil ibn Darraj from Humran ibn ’A‘yan who has said the following: “I once said to Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, we perform Salah (prayer) with these people on Friday and they perform in a certain time. What must we do? He (the Imam) said, ‘Perform Salah (prayer) with them? Humran then went to Zurarah and said to him, ‘We are commanded to perform Salah (prayer) with them with their Salah (prayer)? Zurarah said, ‘This cannot be accepted without interpretation? Humran said to him, ‘Come and hear it from him (the Imam)? He (the narrator) has said that both went to him (the Imam) and Zurarah said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, Humran thinks you have commanded us to perform Salah (prayer) with them and I did not accept it? He (the Imam) said to us, ‘Ali ibn al- Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, would say two Rak‘at with them and when they would complete he stand up to perform two more Rak‘at?” (Ahadith 1-7 are best explained by fatwa.)
1. A group has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from al-Husayn ibn ‘Uthman from ibn Muskan from abu Basir from who has said the following: “Abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ’Five kinds of people are not to lead other people in Salah (prayer) in all circumstances: People suffering from leprosy, insanity, one born out of wedlock and al-A‘ra’biy Arab of the desert.’”
2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin said, ‘One bonded cannot lead in Salah (prayer) those who are free, one paralyzed cannot lead those in good health, one with Tayammum cannot lead those with Wudu’, a blind cannot lead others in the wilderness unless directed to al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah).’”
3. Through the chain of narrators as that of the previous Hadith is the following narration: “If two people disagree and one says, ‘I was your Imam’ and the other says, ‘I was your Imam’ he (the Imam) said, ‘Both persons’ Salah (prayer) is complete.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘What happens if each one says, ‘I followed you.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Both persons’ Salah (prayer) is invalid. They must perform it again.’”
4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about performing Salah (prayer) behind a slave. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not an offense if he has good understanding of fiqh (Islamic laws) and there is no one excelling him in fiqh (Islamic laws). He (the narrator) has said that he then asked, ‘Can I perform Salah (prayer) behind a blind man?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, if there is someone who shows him the direction and he is more excellent than others present.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, “No one of you must perform Salah (prayer) behind one suffering from leprosy, an insane man, one punished by law, one born of wedlock, behind a desert dwelling Arab and the immigrant (drifting) must not lead Salah (prayer)””’
5. Ali ibn Muhammad and others have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Mahbub from ibn Ri’ab from abu ‘Ubaydah who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a people of our companions who come together then Salah (prayer) time comes. Certain ones among them say to the others, ‘O so and so lead.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said that the most learned in al-Quran is to lead. If all of them are equally learned in al-Quran, the first to migrate among them, if all are equal in migration, then the oldest among them, if all are equal in age, then the most learned among them in the Sunnah and most learned in religion is to lead. No one of you must lead one in his house or the one with authority in his dominion.’”
6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from Ghiyath ibn Ibrahim who has said the following: “Abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘It is not an offense if a young boy, who has not become an adult, leads a people and says Adhan.”’ (Ahadith 1-6 and the following chapters are best explained in the form of fatwa.)
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ibn Muskan from abu al-‘Abbas who has said the following: “I once asked abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who leads the woman in his house in Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ’Yes, he can do so and she stands behind him.”’
2. A group has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadalah from ibn Sinan from Sulayman ibn Khalid who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a woman’s leading other women in Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘She can do so if they all follow her in optional Salah (prayer), but not in obligatory Salah (prayer), and she is not to lead them, instead she stands up in their middle.’”
3. Ahmad ibn al-Husayn has narrated from Fadalah from Hammad ibn ‘Uthaman from Ibrahim ibn Maymun who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who leads women in obligatory Salah (prayer) where there are no other men. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so and if there is a child he stands up on his side.’”
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan all from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about performing Salah (prayer) behind an Imam if I must do the recitation. He (the Imam) said, ‘Salah (prayer) in which recitation is not aloud, it is assigned to him. So you do not recite behind him, and for Salah (prayer) in which recitation is done aloud, he is commanded to recite aloud so people behind him remain silent; thus, if you hear him, remain silent, and if you do not hear him, then you are to recite.”’
2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthaman from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If you perform Salah (prayer) behind one whom you follow, do not do the recitation behind him, regardless if you hear his recitation or not, except, when it is a Salah (prayer) in which recitation is done aloud and you do not hear then you are to recite.’”
3. Ali has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “One of the two Imam, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If you perform Salah (prayer) behind an Imam whom you follow then remain silent and say Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects) to yourself only.’”
4. It is a narration from him (narrator of previous Hadith) by his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from Qutaybah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘When you perform Salah (prayer) behind an Imam and are happy with him in Salah (prayer) of which recitation is to be read aloud and you do not hear his recitation, then recite to yourself, but if you hear a humming sound, do not recite.’”
5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Hadid from Jamil ibn Darraj from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked one of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, if the Imam is responsible for Salah (prayer) of the people. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he is not responsible.’”
6. Muhammad ibn Ahmad has narrated from Muhammad from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Zurarah from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin would say, ‘One who recites when performing Salah (prayer) behind an Imam whom he follows and dies, he has died in a religion other than Fitrah (Islam).”’
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashim has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan all from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I once asked abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who leads a people in Salah (prayer) but does not have a valid Wudu’ and informs them after Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘Only he, but not they, must perform again.”’
2. Ali has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a blind man who leads a people in Salah (prayer) and is not facing al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah). He (the Imam) said, ‘Only he, but not they, performs again; they had made the effort (about al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah)).’”
3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Hadid from Jamil from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked one of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a man who leads a people in Salah (prayer) of two Rak‘at and then informs them that he does not have a valid Wudu’. He (the Imam) said, ‘People must complete their Salah (prayer); there is no responsibility on Imam.’”
4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from certain persons of his people who has said the following: “About the case of a people who traveled from certain mountainous area of Khurasan and a man would lead them in Salah (prayer), when in al-Kufah they found out that he was a Jew, Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘They are not required to perform their Salah (prayer) again.’”
1. Muhammad ibn ’Isma’il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from all from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtariy who has said the following: “I once asked abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who performs Salah (prayer) alone then finds a congregation. He (the Imam) said, ’He can perform Salah (prayer) with them and make it to be an obligatory one.”’
2. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Walid from Yunus ibn Ya’qub from abu Basir from who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I enter Masjid and Salah (prayer) begins while I have already performed Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘You can perform Salah (prayer) with them; Allah chooses the lovelier one of the two.’”
3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from Sulayman ibn Khalid who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who enters Masjid and begins Salah (prayer). While he is standing up in Salah (prayer) Adhan is said and Salah (prayer) begins. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can perform it as a two Rak‘at, then commence Salah (prayer) with the Imam and the two Rak‘at has to be optional Salah (prayer)”’
4. A group has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Ya’qub ibn Yaqtin who has said the following: “I once said to abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, it is time for al-Dhuhr and we are not able to come down for Salah (prayer) in time until they come down. We come down with them and perform Salah (prayer). They quickly leave and we stand up to perform al-‘Asr and show them as if we perform Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees). They then come down for al-‘Asr and lead us. Can we perform Salah (prayer) with them? He (the Imam) said, ‘Perform Salah (prayer) with them. May Allah never grant them any Salah (prayer).”’
5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ’Isma’il who has said the following: “I once wrote to abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I go to Masjid with my neighbors and others and they ask me to lead Salah (prayer) with them, when I have already performed Salah (prayer) before coming to them. Perhaps certain ones have followed me in Salah (prayer) that I have already performed and they are people of weak understanding and the ignorant ones. I dislike leading. I have performed in such condition that I have mentioned. Command me so I obey and follow your command by the will of Allah. He (the Imam) wrote to me, ‘You must lead them in Salah (prayer).”’
6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Whoever performs Salah (prayer) with them in the first row it is as if he has performed Salah (prayer) with the Messenger of Allah.’”
7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam), ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who performs Salah (prayer) and has completed only one Rak‘at of an obligatory Salah (prayer) that the Imam arrives. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he is an Imam who possesses the quality of justice, he performs one more Rak‘at, completes and makes it an optional Salah (prayer). He joins the Imam in his Salah (prayer) as is. If he (the Imam) does not have the quality of justice, he (the man) continues with his Salah (prayer) as is. He performs one more Rak‘at with him (the Imam) and sits down for a time within which one can say: I testify that only Allah deserves worship, He is one and has no partners and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. He then completes his Salah (prayer) with him as possibly he can; Taqiyah (fear) provides great chances and there is nothing performed in Taqiyah for which one is not rewarded by the will of Allah.’”
8. A group has narrated from has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from form al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Haytham ibn Waqid from al-Husayn ibn ’Abd Allah al-Arjaniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If one performs Salah (prayer) in his house then comes to one of their Masjid and performs Salah (prayer) with them, he leaves with all of their good deeds.’”
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Safwan from ‘Abd al- Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who joins the congregation in the second Rak‘at which is the first for him. What is he to do when the Imam sits down? He (the Imam) said, ‘He displays readiness to stand up (by raising his knees from the ground and placing his palms on the ground), does not allow himself to sit down. When it is the third Rak‘at for the Imam and the second for him, he waits a little while to say Tashahhud (testimonies of belief), then joins the Imam? He (the narrator) has said that he then asked him (the Imam) about one who joins a congregation in the two last Rak‘at of Salah (prayer) and what is one to do about recitation. He (the Imam) said, ‘Recite in them; they are the first two Rak‘at for you and do not make the beginning of your Salah (prayer) its end.’”
2. Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Jamil ibn Darraj from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If you cannot join in Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) for Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) do not enter (congregational Salah (prayer)) in that Rak‘at.’”
3. Ali ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Hassan have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr from al-Mithamiy from Ishaq ibn Yazid who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, the Imam is one Rak‘at ahead of me which is the first for me and the second for him. Do I say Tashahhud (testimonies of belief) when I sit down? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, Tashahhud (testimonies of belief) is but a blessing.’”
4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from ‘Abd al- Rahman ibn abu ‘Abd Allah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If the Imam is one Rak‘at ahead and you join in the last recitation, recite in the third Rak‘at for him which is the second for you. You must do so even if you cannot join him for more than one Rak‘at in which you recited as well as in the one that follows. If he is one Rak‘at ahead of you, sit down in the second Rak‘at for you and the third for him until the row stand up in line.’ He (the narrator) has said that he (the Imam) said, ‘If you find the Imam in Sajdah (prostration) remain where you are until he raises his head, and if he is sitting, you also sit down, and if he is standing, stand up.’”
5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthaman from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If you join the Imam for one Rak‘at, say Takbir (Allah is great beyond description). You must perform Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) before he raises his head (from Ruku‘). You have joined for one Rak‘at but if he raises his head before you are in Ruku‘, you have missed one Rak‘at.’”
Hasan· al-Majlisi
Sunni collections: text from the open hadith-api dataset. Al-Kafi: Arabic text, Muhammad Sarwar's translation and gradings from Thaqalayn.net via the Thaqalayn API. Hadith numbering follows those editions and can differ from a printed copy — check the Arabic against a trusted edition before relying on a reference.
