What are the hadiths about leading the prayer (imama)? Examples of hadiths about leading the prayer (imama)…
According to Ibn ʿAbbas (ra), the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “Let the best among you call the adhān (be the muazzin) for you, and the best in reciting the Holy Qur’an act as your imāms.” (Abu Da’ud, al-Salat, 60)
Abu Masʿud al-Ansari (ra) reported that Allah’s Messenger (saw) said, “The one who is most versed in Allah’s Book should act as the imām for the people. But if they are equally versed in reciting it, then the one who has most knowledge regarding the Sunna … No man should lead the performance of a ritual prayer where another has authority, or sit in his place of honor in his house, without his permission.” (Muslim, al-Masajid, 290)
According to Abu Hurayra (ra) the Prophet (saw) said, “When any one of you leads the people in prayer, let him make it short, for among them there may be the ill, the weak and the elderly. And when any one of you prays by himself, let him make it as long as he wishes.” (al-Nasaʾi, al-Imama, 35)
Abu Hurayra (ra) reported that Allah’s Messenger (saw) said, “The imām is answerable and the muazzin is entrusted. O Allah! Guide the imāms and pardon the muazzin.” (al-Tirmidhi, al-Salat, 39)
Abu Hurayra (ra) reported that the Prophet (saw) said, “Have the imām at the center and close up the gaps.”
(Abu Da’ud, al-Salat, 98)
According to Abu Hurayra (ra), the Prophet (saw) said, “The imām is (appointed) to be followed. So do not differ from him, bow when he bows, and say, ‘Rabbanā laka al-ḥamd’ when he says, ‘Samiʿ Allāhu liman ḥamida”; and if he prostrates, prostrate (after him), and if he prays sitting, pray sitting all together, and straighten the rows for the prayer, as the straightening of the rows is amongst those things which make your prayer a correct and a perfect one.” (al-Bukhari, al-Adhan, 74)
Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, Islam Through Hadiths
Hadiths About The Five Daily Obligatory Ritual Prayers (Salat)
