Mosques & Congregation

مَنْ صَلَّى مَعَهُمْ فِي الصَّفِّ الْأَوَّلِ كَانَ كَمَنْ صَلَّى خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فِي الصَّفِّ الْأَوَّلِ‌[4].

Hadith.1125 - It is narrated from him by Hammad ibn Uthman that Imam (as) said: "Whoever prays with them in the first row, it is as if he prayed behind the Messenger of Allah (sw) in the first row”.

يُحْسَبُ لَكَ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ مَعَهُمْ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ لَا تَقْتَدِي بِهِمْ حُسِبَ لَكَ مِثْلُ مَا يُحْسَبُ لَكَ إِذَا كُنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ تَقْتَدِي بِهِ‌[1].

Hadith.1126 - It is narrated from him by Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari that Imam (as) said: "It will be counted for you when you join them (in prayer), even if you do not follow them (in intention); it will be counted for you just as it would if you were with someone you follow”.

لِجَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي أَمُرُّ بِقَوْمٍ نَاصِبِيَّةٍ وَ قَدْ أُقِيمَتْ لَهُمُ الصَّلَاةُ وَ أَنَا عَلَى غَيْرِ وُضُوءٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَدْخُلْ مَعَهُمْ فِي الصَّلَاةِ قَالُوا مَا شَاءُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا[2] أَ فَأُصَلِّي مَعَهُمْ ثُمَّ أَتَوَضَّأُ إِذَا انْصَرَفْتُ وَ أُصَلِّي قَالَ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ ع- سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ أَ فَمَا يَخَافُ مَنْ يُصَلِّي عَلَى غَيْرِ وُضُوءٍ أَنْ تَأْخُذَهُ

Hadith.1127 - Mas’adah ibn Sadaqah narrates that someone said to Jafar ibn Muhammad (as): "May I be your ransom! I pass by a group of Nasibis (those hostile to the AhlulBayt (as)), and their prayer has been established while I am not in a state of wudu (ritual purity). If I do not join them in prayer, they will say wha

يَا زَيْدُ خَالِقُوا النَّاسَ بِأَخْلَاقِهِمْ صَلُّوا فِي مَسَاجِدِهِمْ وَ عُودُوا مَرْضَاهُمْ وَ اشْهَدُوا جَنَائِزَهُمْ وَ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتُمْ أَنْ تَكُونُوا الْأَئِمَّةَ وَ الْمُؤَذِّنِينَ فَافْعَلُوا فَإِنَّكُمْ إِذَا فَعَلْتُمْ ذَلِكَ قَالُوا هَؤُلَاءِ الْجَعْفَرِيَّةُ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ جَعْفَراً مَا كَانَ أَحْسَنَ مَا يُؤَدِّبُ أَصْحَابَهُ وَ إِذَا تَرَكْتُمْ ذَلِكَ قَالُوا هَؤُلَاءِ الْجَعْفَرِيَّةُ فَعَلَ اللَّهُ

Hadith.1128 - It is narrated from Zayd al-Shahham that He said: Imam Ja'far Al-Sadiq (as) said: "O’ Zayd, interact with the people through good character. Pray in their mosques, visit their sick, and attend their funerals. If you can, be the Imams and callers to prayer (mu'adhdhins), then do so. For if you do this, the

أَذِّنْ خَلْفَ مَنْ قَرَأْتَ خَلْفَهُ[5]

وَ قَالَ لَهُ ع رَجُلٌ أُصَلِّي فِي أَهْلِي ثُمَّ أَخْرُجُ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ فَيُقَدِّمُونِي فَقَالَ تَقَدَّمْ لَا عَلَيْكَ وَ صَلِّ بِهِمْ.

Hadith.1130 - A man said to him (as): "I pray with my family, then I go to the mosque and they ask me to lead them in prayer." Imam (as) said: "Go ahead and lead them; there is no harm in it. Pray with them."

فِي الرَّجُلِ يُصَلِّي الصَّلَاةَ وَحْدَهُ ثُمَّ يَجِدُ جَمَاعَةً قَالَ يُصَلِّي مَعَهُمْ وَ يَجْعَلُهَا الْفَرِيضَةَ إِنْ شَاءَ[1].

Hadith.1131 - Hisham ibn Salim narrated from him (as) that He said regarding a man who prays alone and then finds a congregation: "He may pray with them and count it as his obligatory (fardh) prayer if he wishes”.

وَ قَدْ رُوِيَ‌ أَنَّهُ يُحْسَبُ لَهُ أَفْضَلُهُمَا وَ أَتَمُّهُمَا[2].

Hadith.1132 - It has been narrated: "He will be credited with the better and more complete of the two”.

لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ‌[3].

Hadith.1133 - Ali ibn Ja'far asked his brother Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as) about a man leading a group in prayer while wearing trousers (sarawil) and a cloak (rida). He (as) replied: "There is no harm in it”.

إِنَّ آخِرَ صَلَاةٍ صَلَّاهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِالنَّاسِ فِي ثَوْبٍ وَاحِدٍ قَدْ خَالَفَ بَيْنَ طَرَفَيْهِ أَ لَا أُرِيكَ الثَّوْبَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ فَأَخْرَجَ مِلْحَفَةً فَذَرَعْتُهَا وَ كَانَتْ سَبْعَةَ أَذْرُعٍ فِي ثَمَانِيَةِ أَشْبَارٍ.

Hadith.1134 – Zurarah narrated from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) that He said: "The last prayer that the Messenger of Allah (sw) led the people in was while wearing a single garment, with its ends crossed over one another. Shall I show you the garment?" I said: "Yes." He then brought out a cloak, and I measured

إِذَا أَخَذَ الْمُقِيمُ‌

Hadith.1135 - Umar ibn Yazid asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about the narration that states it is not appropriate to perform supererogatory (nafl) prayers at the time of every obligatory (fardh) prayer. He asked: "What is the limit for this time?" He (as) replied: "When the person giving the iqamah (call i

الْمُؤَذِّنُ قَدْ قَامَتِ الصَّلَاةُ أَ يَقُومُ النَّاسُ عَلَى أَرْجُلِهِمْ أَوْ يَجْلِسُونَ حَتَّى يَجِي‌ءَ إِمَامُهُمْ قَالَ لَا بَلْ يَقُومُونَ عَلَى أَرْجُلِهِمْ فَإِنْ جَاءَ إِمَامُهُمْ وَ إِلَّا فَلْيُؤْخَذْ بِيَدِ رَجُلٍ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ فَيُقَدَّمَ.

Hadith.1136 - Hafs ibn Salim asked: "When the muezzin (caller to prayer) says 'The prayer has been established' (during the iqamah), should the people stand up or remain seated until their Imam arrives?" He (as) replied: "No, they should stand up. If their Imam arrives, they proceed with him; otherwise, a man from amon

إِذَا أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلَاةُ حَرُمَ الْكَلَامُ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ وَ أَهْلِ الْمَسْجِدِ إِلَّا فِي تَقْدِيمِ إِمَامٍ‌[3].

Hadith.1137 – Zurarah narrated from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) that He said: "When the prayer has been established (by the iqamah), speaking becomes forbidden for the Imam and the people of the mosque, except in the matter of appointing an Imam”.

يَتَقَدَّمُهُمَا وَ لَا يَقُومُ بَيْنَهُمَا وَ عَنِ الرَّجُلَيْنِ يُصَلِّيَانِ جَمَاعَةً قَالَ نَعَمْ يَجْعَلُهُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ‌[4].

Hadith.1138 - It was narrated from Muhammad ibn Muslim that he was asked about a man leading two others in prayer. Imam (as) said: "He should stand in front of them and not between them." And regarding two men praying together in congregation, Imam (as) said: "Yes, he (the one leading) should have the other stand on hi

قَالَ وَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَقِيمُوا صُفُوفَكُمْ فَإِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ مِنْ خَلْفِي كَمَا أَرَاكُمْ مِنْ قُدَّامِي وَ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ وَ لَا تُخَالِفُوا[5] فَيُخَالِفَ اللَّهُ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ.

Hadith.1139 - The Messenger of Allah (sw) said: "Straighten your rows, for I see you from behind me just as I see you from in front of me and from before me. Do not differ, lest Allah (swt) cause discord among your hearts."

إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ فِي الصَّفِّ الْأَوَّلِ كَالْجِهَادِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ

لَا أَرَى بِالصُّفُوفِ بَيْنَ الْأَسَاطِينِ بَأْساً[1].

Hadith.1141 - Al-Halabi narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) that He said: "I see no harm in rows (of prayer) being between the columns (pillars)."

وَ قَالَ ع‌ أَتِمُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ خَلَلًا وَ لَا يَضُرُّكَ أَنْ تَتَأَخَّرَ وَرَاءَكَ إِذَا وَجَدْتَ ضِيقاً فِي الصَّفِّ الْأَوَّلِ إِلَى الصَّفِّ الَّذِي خَلْفَكَ وَ تَمْشِيَ مُنْحَرِفاً[2].

Hadith.1142 - Imam (as) said: "Complete your rows when you see a gap, and it does not harm you to move back if you find tightness in the first row to the row behind you, walking at an angle."

يَنْبَغِي لِلصُّفُوفِ أَنْ تَكُونَ تَامَّةً مُتَوَاصِلَةً بَعْضُهَا إِلَى بَعْضٍ وَ لَا يَكُونَ بَيْنَ الصَّفَّيْنِ مَا لَا يُتَخَطَّى‌[3] يَكُونُ قَدْرُ ذَلِكَ مَسْقَطَ جَسَدِ إِنْسَانٍ إِذَا سَجَدَ[4].

Hadith.1143 – Zurarah narrated from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) that He said: "The rows (in prayer) should be complete and continuous, one row connected to another, and there should not be a gap between the rows that cannot be crossed, such that it should only be the space of a human body when in prostration”.

إِنْ صَلَّى قَوْمٌ بَيْنَهُمْ وَ بَيْنَ الْإِمَامِ مَا لَا يُتَخَطَّى فَلَيْسَ ذَلِكَ الْإِمَامُ لَهُمْ بِإِمَامٍ وَ أَيُّ صَفٍّ كَانَ أَهْلُهُ يُصَلُّونَ بِصَلَاةِ إِمَامٍ وَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَ بَيْنَ الصَّفِّ الَّذِي يَتَقَدَّمُهُمْ مَا لَا يُتَخَطَّى فَلَيْسَ تِلْكَ لَهُمْ بِصَلَاةٍ وَ إِنْ كَانَ سِتْراً أَوْ جِدَاراً[5] فَلَيْسَ تِلْكَ لَهُمْ بِصَلَاةٍ إِلَّا مَنْ كَانَ حِيَالَ الْبَابِ[6] قَالَ وَ قَالَ هَذِهِ الْمَق

أَقَلُّ مَا يَكُونُ بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَ الْقِبْلَةِ[4] مَرْبِضُ عَنْزٍ وَ أَكْثَرُ مَا يَكُونُ مَرْبِطُ فَرَسٍ‌[5].

وَ قَالَ عَمَّارُ بْنُ مُوسَى‌ سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْإِمَامِ يُصَلِّي وَ خَلْفَهُ‌ قَوْمٌ أَسْفَلُ مِنَ الْمَوْضِعِ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي فِيهِ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ الْإِمَامُ عَلَى شِبْهِ الدُّكَّانِ أَوْ عَلَى أَرْفَعَ مِنْ مَوْضِعِهِمْ لَمْ تَجُزْ صَلَاتُهُمْ‌[1] وَ إِنْ كَانَ أَرْفَعَ مِنْهُمْ بِإِصْبَعٍ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ أَوْ أَقَلَّ إِذَا كَانَ الِارْتِفَاعُ بِقَطْعِ سَيْلٍ‌[2] وَ إِنْ كَانَتِ الْأَرْضُ مَبْ

Hadith.1146 - Ammar ibn Musa narrated that Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) was asked about an Imam praying while behind him are people at a lower level than where he is praying. Imam (as) said: "If the Imam is on something like a platform or at a significantly higher level than their position, their prayer is inv

لَا بَأْسَ إِنَّمَا يَبْدُو الصَّفُ‌[2] وَاحِداً بَعْدَ وَاحِدٍ.

Hadith.1147 - Musa ibn Bakr asked Abu Al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as) about a man who stands alone in a row during prayer. Imam (as) said: "There is no problem ; indeed, the row is formed one person at a time."

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ الْمَسْجِدَ وَ الْإِمَامُ رَاكِعٌ وَ ظَنَنْتَ أَنَّكَ إِنْ مَشَيْتَ إِلَيْهِ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَكَبِّرْ وَ ارْكَعْ فَإِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَاسْجُدْ مَكَانَكَ فَإِذَا قَامَ فَالْحَقْ بِالصَّفِ‌[3] وَ إِنْ جَلَسَ فَاجْلِسْ مَكَانَكَ فَإِذَا قَامَ فَالْحَقْ بِالصَّفِ‌[4].

Hadith.1148 - It was narrated from Abdul Rahman ibn Abi Abdullah that He said: "I heard Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) say: "If you enter the mosque and the Imam is in the bowing position (ruku'), and you think that if you walk towards him, he will raise his head, then pronounce the takbir (opening supplication)

وَ رُوِيَ‌ أَنَّهُ يَمْشِي فِي الصَّلَاةِ يَجُرُّ رِجْلَيْهِ وَ لَا يَتَخَطَّى.

Hadith.1149 - It is narrated: "He should walk during the prayer by dragging his feet and not stepping over (or taking large steps)."

إِذَا أَدْرَكْتَ الْإِمَامَ وَ قَدْ رَكَعَ فَكَبَّرْتَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَرْفَعَ الْإِمَامُ رَأْسَهُ فَقَدْ أَدْرَكْتَ الرَّكْعَةَ وَ إِنْ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَرْكَعَ فَقَدْ فَاتَتْكَ الرَّكْعَةُ.

Hadith.1150 - Al-Halabi narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) that He said: "If you reach the Imam while he is in the bowing position (ruku') and you say the takbir (opening supplication) before the Imam raises his head, then you have caught the rak'ah (unit of prayer). However, if he raises his head befo

إِذَا كَبَّرَ وَ أَقَامَ صُلْبَهُ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ فَقَدْ أَدْرَكَ‌[1].

Hadith.1151 - Abu Usamah narrated that he asked about a man who reaches the Imam while he is in the bowing position (ruku'). Imam (as) said: "If he pronounces the takbir and straightens his back (stands up properly) and then bows, he has caught the rak'ah."

وَ قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنِّي إِمَامُ مَسْجِدِ الْحَيِّ فَأَرْكَعُ بِهِمْ وَ أَسْمَعُ خَفَقَانَ نِعَالِهِمْ‌[2] وَ أَنَا رَاكِعٌ فَقَالَ اصْبِرْ رُكُوعَكَ وَ مِثْلَ رُكُوعِكَ فَإِنِ انْقَطَعُوا وَ إِلَّا فَانْتَصِبْ قَائِماً.

Hadith.1152 - A man said to Imam Abu Ja'far (as), "I am the Imam of the mosque in our neighborhood, and when I bow (in ruku') with them, I hear the sound of their footsteps while I am in ruku'." Imam (as) replied: "Remain in your bowing position for as long as your bowing takes, and if they catch up, (continue); otherw

يَنْبَغِي لِلْإِمَامِ أَنْ يَكُونَ صَلَاتُهُ عَلَى صَلَاةِ أَضْعَفِ مَنْ خَلْفَهُ.

Hadith.1153 - Ishaq ibn Ammar narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) that He said: "It is appropriate for the Imam's prayer to be suited to the ability of the weakest among those behind him."

وَ كَانَ مُعَاذٌ يَؤُمُّ فِي مَسْجِدٍ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ يُطِيلُ الْقِرَاءَةَ وَ أَنَّهُ مَرَّ بِهِ رَجُلٌ فَافْتَتَحَ سُورَةً طَوِيلَةً فَقَرَأَ الرَّجُلُ لِنَفْسِهِ وَ صَلَّى ثُمَّ رَكِبَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ النَّبِيَّ ص فَبَعَثَ إِلَى مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ يَا مُعَاذُ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ فَتَّاناً[3] عَلَيْكَ بِالشَّمْسِ وَ ضُحَيهَا وَ ذَوَاتِهَا.

Hadith.1154 - Mu'adh used to lead prayer in a mosque during the time of the Messenger of Allah (sw) and would make the recitation lengthy. One day, a man passed by while Mu'adh was reciting a long Surah, so the man recited (the prayer) for himself, completed it, and then rode off on his mount. When this incident reache

وَ إِنَّ اَلنَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ كَانَ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ يَؤُمُّ أَصْحَابَهُ فَيَسْمَعُ بُكَاءَ اَلصَّبِيِّ فَيُخَفِّفُ اَلصَّلاَةَ.

Hadith.1155 - The Prophet (sw) was leading his companions in prayer one day when he heard the crying of a child, so he shortened the prayer.

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ قَرَأَ خَلْفَ إِمَامٍ يَأْتَمُّ بِهِ فَمَاتَ بُعِثَ عَلَى غَيْرِ

Hadith.1156 – Zurarah and Muhammad ibn Muslim narrated from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) that He said: Amir al-Mu'minin (as) used to say: "Whoever recites (aloud) behind an Imam whom he follows (in prayer) and then dies will be resurrected on a different (incorrect) natural disposition (fitra)."

إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ خَلْفَ إِمَامٍ تَأْتَمُّ بِهِ فَلَا تَقْرَأْ خَلْفَهُ سَمِعْتَ قِرَاءَتَهُ أَوْ لَمْ تَسْمَعْ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ صَلَاةً يُجْهَرُ فِيهَا بِالْقِرَاءَةِ فَلَمْ تَسْمَعْ فَاقْرَأْ[2].

Hadith.1157 - Al-Halabi narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) that He said: "If you are praying behind an Imam whom you are following, do not recite (the Qur'an) behind him, whether you hear his recitation or not, except in a prayer where the recitation is done aloud and you do not hear it—then you may re

وَ فِي رِوَايَةِ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ زُرَارَةَ عَنْهُ ع‌ أَنَّهُ إِنْ سَمِعَ الْهَمْهَمَةَ فَلَا يَقْرَأْ.

Hadith.1158 - In a narration from Ubayd ibn Zurarah from Imam (as): "If he (the follower) hears a murmur (of the Imam's recitation), he should not recite."

لَا تَقْرَأَنَ‌[1] فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ مِنَ الْأَرْبَعِ الرَّكَعَاتِ الْمَفْرُوضَاتِ شَيْئاً إِمَاماً كُنْتَ أَوْ غَيْرَ إِمَامٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَمَا أَقُولُ فِيهَا قَالَ إِنْ كُنْتَ إِمَاماً أَوْ وَحْدَكَ فَقُلْ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ تُكَمِّلُهُ تِسْعَ تَسْبِيحَاتٍ ثُمَّ تُكَبِّرُ وَ تَرْكَعُ.

Hadith.1159 – Zurarah narrated from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) that He said: "Do not recite anything (from the Qur'an) in the last two rak'ahs of the four obligatory rak'ah prayers, whether you are an Imam or not." I (Zurarah) asked: "So what should I say in them?" Imam (as) said: "If you are an Imam or prayin

أَدْنَى مَا يُجْزِي مِنَ الْقَوْلِ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ ثَلَاثُ تَسْبِيحَاتٍ أَنْ تَقُولَ- سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ.

"The minimum that suffices in the last two rak'ahs is to say three tasbihat (glorifications), by saying: 'Subhan Allah (swt) (Glory be to Allah (swt)), Subhan Allah (swt), Subhan Allah (swt).'"

وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ خَلْفَ إِمَامٍ فَلَا تَقْرَأَنَّ شَيْئاً فِي الْأَوَّلَتَيْنِ وَ أَنْصِتْ لِقِرَاءَتِهِ وَ لَا تَقْرَأَنَّ شَيْئاً فِي الْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ- وَ إِذا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ‌ يَعْنِي فِي الْفَرِيضَةِ خَلْفَ الْإِمَامِ‌ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَ أَنْصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ‌ فَالْأَخِيرَتَانِ تَبَعاً لِلْأَوَّلَتَيْنِ‌[2].

Hadith.1161 - In a narration from Zurarah about Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), He said: "If you are behind an Imam, do not recite anything during the first two rak'ahs; instead, listen to his recitation and remain silent. Do not recite anything in the last two rak'ahs either, for Allah (swt), the Almighty, says t

إِنِّي أَكْرَهُ‌ لِلْمَرْءِ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ خَلْفَ الْإِمَامِ صَلَاةً لَا يُجْهَرُ فِيهَا بِالْقِرَاءَةِ فَيَقُومَ كَأَنَّهُ حِمَارٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَيَصْنَعُ مَا ذَا قَالَ يُسَبِّحُ‌[1].

Hadith.1162 - Bakr ibn Muhammad Al-Azdi narrated by Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) that He said: "I dislike it for a person to pray behind the Imam in a prayer where the recitation is not audible, and he stands there like a donkey." I (Bakr) asked: "May I be your ransom, what should he do then?" Imam (as) replie

إِذَا أَدْرَكَ الرَّجُلُ بَعْضَ الصَّلَاةِ وَ فَاتَهُ بَعْضٌ‌[2] خَلْفَ إِمَامٍ يَحْتَسِبُ بِالصَّلَاةِ خَلْفَهُ‌[3] جَعَلَ مَا أَدْرَكَ أَوَّلَ صَلَاتِهِ إِنْ أَدْرَكَ مِنَ الظُّهْرِ أَوِ الْعَصْرِ أَوِ الْعِشَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ فَاتَتْهُ رَكْعَتَانِ قَرَأَ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَةٍ مِمَّا أَدْرَكَ خَلْفَ الْإِمَامِ فِي نَفْسِهِ بِأُمِّ الْكِتَابِ‌[4]- فَإِذَا سَلَّمَ الْإِمَامُ قَامَ فَصَلَّى الْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ خَلْفَ الْإِمَامِ فَيُطِيلُ الْإِمَامُ التَّشَهُّدَ قَالَ يُسَلِّمُ وَ يَمْضِي لِحَاجَتِهِ إِنْ أَحَبَ‌[6].

I asked him about a person who is behind the Imam, and the Imam prolongs the tashahhud (sitting for testimony). Imam (as) said: "He may perform the taslim (salutation of peace) and leave if he wishes."

لَهُ‌ أَدْخُلُ الْمَسْجِدَ وَ قَدْ رَكَعَ الْإِمَامُ فَأَرْكَعُ بِرُكُوعِهِ وَ أَنَا وَحْدِي وَ أَسْجُدُ فَإِذَا رَفَعْتُ رَأْسِي فَأَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَصْنَعُ قَالَ قُمْ فَاذْهَبْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَإِنْ كَانُوا قِيَاماً فَقُمْ مَعَهُمْ وَ إِنْ كَانُوا جُلُوساً فَاجْلِسْ مَعَهُمْ‌[1].

Hadith.1165 - Ishaq ibn Ammar asked Imam (as): "I enter the mosque, and the Imam is already in the bowing position (ruku'), so I bow with him while I am alone and then prostrate. When I lift my head, what should I do next?" Imam (as) replied: "Stand up and go to join them (the congregation). If they are standing, then

إِنْ كَانَ فِي وَقْتٍ حَسَنٍ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِالتَّطَوُّعِ قَبْلَ الْفَرِيضَةِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ خَافَ خُرُوجَ الْوَقْتِ أَخَّرَهُ وَ لْيَبْدَأْ بِالْفَرِيضَةِ وَ هُوَ حَقُّ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ثُمَّ لْيَتَطَوَّعْ مَا شَاءَ[2].

Hadith.1166 - Sama’a asked the Imam (as) about a man who enters the mosque and finds that the congregation has already prayed. Should he begin with the obligatory (fardh) prayer or offer a voluntary (nafl) prayer? Imam (as) said: "If there is still ample time, there is no harm in offering a voluntary prayer before the

يَرْكَعُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَبْلُغَ إِلَى الْقَوْمِ وَ يَمْشِي وَ هُوَ رَاكِعٌ حَتَّى يَبْلُغَهُمْ.

Hadith.1167 - Muhammad ibn Muslim narrated from one of the Imams (as) regarding a man who enters the mosque and fears that he will miss the rak'ah (unit of prayer). Imam (as) said: "He should bow (in ruku') before reaching the congregation and then walk while in the bowing position until he joins them."

نَعَمْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مَعَهُ صَبِيٌّ فَلْيَقُمْ إِلَى جَانِبِهِ.

Hadith.1168 - Ibrahim ibn Maymun narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) regarding a man leading women in the obligatory prayer, with no other man present. Imam (as) said: "Yes, he may lead them, and if there is a boy present, he should stand beside him."

لَهُ أَ تُصَلِّي جَمَاعَةً هَلْ يَجُوزُ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَا بِذَلِكَ الْأَذَانِ وَ الْإِقَامَةِ قَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ يُؤَذِّنُ وَ يُقِيمُ‌[4].

Hadith.1169 - Ammar Al-Sabati narrated that he asked Imam (as) about a man who gives the adhan (call to prayer) and iqamah (call to commence the prayer) intending to pray alone. Then another person arrives and asks to pray in congregation. He asked whether they may use the same adhan and iqamah. Imam (as) replied: "No,

وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا بَأْسَ أَنْ يُؤَذِّنَ الْغُلَامُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَحْتَلِمَ وَ لَا يَؤُمُّ حَتَّى يَحْتَلِمَ فَإِنْ أَمَّ جَازَتْ صَلَاتُهُ وَ فَسَدَتْ صَلَاةُ مَنْ يُصَلِّي خَلْفَهُ‌[1].

Hadith.1170 - The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "There is no problem if a young boy (who has not yet reached puberty) gives the adhan (call to prayer), but he should not lead the prayer until he has reached puberty. If he leads, his own prayer is valid, but the prayer of those who follow h

عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُؤَذِّنَ وَ يُقِيمَ وَ يَفْتَتِحَ الصَّلَاةَ[2].

Hadith.1171 - Ammar al-Sabati asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about a man who arrives at the mosque just as the Imam is concluding the prayer with the taslim (final salutation). Imam (as) replied: "He should give the adhan (call to prayer), make the iqamah (call to commence the prayer), and then begin his p

ع يُتِمُّ بِهِمُ الصَّلَاةَ ثُمَّ يَجْلِسُ حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغُوا مِنَ التَّشَهُّدِ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَ الشِّمَالِ وَ كَانَ ذَلِكَ الَّذِي يُومِئُ بِيَدِهِ التَّسْلِيمَ أَوْ تُقْضَى صَلَاتُهُمْ‌[5] وَ أَتَمَّ هُوَ مَا كَانَ فَاتَهُ.

Hadith.1172 - A question was asked about a man who enters the mosque while the congregation is already in prayer, and the Imam is ahead of him by one rak'ah. He pronounces the takbir, and then the Imam becomes unable to continue (due to illness or another reason) and takes the man’s hand (indicating him to lead), and h

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَمَّنْ رَكَعَ مَعَ إِمَامِ قَوْمٍ يُقْتَدَى بِهِ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ قَبْلَ الْإِمَامِ قَالَ يُعِيدُ رُكُوعَهُ مَعَهُ‌[6].

“I asked Imam Al-Ridha (as) about a person who bows (in ruku') with an Imam of a congregation who is followed, and then raises his head before the Imam.” Imam (as) replied: "He should repeat his bowing (ruku') with him."

فَلْيَسْجُدْ.

Hadith.1174 - Al-Fudayl ibn Yasar asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about a man who prays behind an Imam whom he is following and raises his head from prostration (Sujood) before the Imam raises his head. Imam (as) said: "He should prostrate again."