302. Following The Imaam In Salaah

By Asma Bint Shameem

The important thing to do is to follow the Imaam irrespective of where you are in your “recitation”.

That’s because the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“The Imaam has only been appointed to be *followed*, so when he says takbeer then say takbeer, and do not say takbeer until after he has said takbeer; and when he bows then bow, and do not bow until after he has bowed; … and when he prostrates then prostrate, and do not prostrate until he has prostrated…” 

[Abu Dawood (603); saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel (2/121)]

So you MUST go into rukoo when the Imaam goes into rukoo, even if you didn’t finish reciting Surah al-Faatihah. 

Although it’s mandatory to read Surah al-Faatihah in every rak’ah, and the prayer is not complete without it, reading it is *waived* in the case where a person is following the Imaam when he goes into rukoo’. 

*PROOF*

Abu Bakrah radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“I reached the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam in the masjid while he was bowing in prayer and I too bowed before joining the row. I  mentioned it to the Prophet and he said to me, "May Allaah increase your love for the good. 

But do not repeat it again (bowing in that way)”

(al-Bukhaari)

Here the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam corrected Abu Bakrah radhi Allaahu anhu for whatever needed to be corrected. 

But he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did *not* tell him to repeat the rak’ah just because he had joined the Salaah in the rukoo’ or because he had not finished reciting Surah 

al -Faatihah. 

And the same applies to reading durood. 

You must follow the Imaam and end when he ends the prayer. 

And Allaah knows best