قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ لا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلاةَ وَ أَنْتُمْ سُكارى[1] فَقَالَ سُكْرُ النَّوْمِ.
“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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.’”
لَيْسَ يُرَخَّصُ فِي النَّوْمِ فِي شَيْءٍ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Nothing of sleep is permissible in Salah (prayer).”’ (Ahadith 2-16 are best explained in the form of fatwa.)
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا يَرْوِي النَّاسُ أَنَّ الصَّلَاةَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صَلَاةِ الرَّجُلِ وَحْدَهُ بِخَمْسٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ صَلَاةً فَقَالَ صَدَقُوا فَقُلْتُ الرَّجُلَانِ يَكُونَانِ جَمَاعَةً فَقَالَ نَعَمْ وَ يَقُومُ الرَّجُلُ عَنْ يَمِينِ الْإِمَامِ.
“I asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ’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 (a.s.), said, ‘Yes, but one should sta
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْجُهَنِيَّ أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أَكُونُ فِي الْبَادِيَةِ وَ مَعِي أَهْلِي وَ وُلْدِي وَ غِلْمَتِي[2] فَأُؤَذِّنُ وَ أُقِيمُ وَ أُصَلِّي بِهِمْ أَ فَجَمَاعَةٌ نَحْنُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْغِلْمَةَ يَتْبَعُونَ قَطْرَ السَّحَابِ وَ أَبْقَى أَنَا وَ أَهْلِي وَ وُلْدِي فَأُؤَذِّنُ وَ أُقِيمُ وَ أُصَلِّي بِهِمْ فَجَمَ
“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), 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 cong
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ صَلَّى الْخَمْسَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ فَظُنُّوا بِهِ خَيْراً.
‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “If one performs the five Salah (prayer) in congregation you should think good about him.’””
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ مَا يَسْتَحْيِي الرَّجُلُ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ تَكُونَ لَهُ الْجَارِيَةُ فَيَبِيعَهَا فَتَقُولَ لَمْ يَكُنْ يَحْضُرُ الصَّلَاةَ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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?”’
كُنْتُ جَالِساً عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ إِذْ جَاءَهُ رَجُلٌ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ جَارُ مَسْجِدٍ لِقَوْمِي فَإِذَا أَنَا لَمْ أُصَلِّ مَعَهُمْ وَقَعُوا فِيَّ وَ قَالُوا هُوَ هَكَذَا وَ هَكَذَا فَقَالَ أَمَا لَئِنْ قُلْتَ ذَاكَ لَقَدْ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص مَنْ سَمِعَ النِّدَاءَ فَلَمْ يُجِبْهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ عِلَّةٍ فَلَا صَلَاةَ لَهُ فَخَرَجَ الرَّجُلُ فَقَا
“I once was sitting in the presence of abu Ja‘far (a.s.), 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)
قُلْنَا لَهُ[1] الصَّلَوَاتُ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ فَرِيضَةٌ هِيَ فَقَالَ الصَّلَوَاتُ فَرِيضَةٌ وَ لَيْسَ الِاجْتِمَاعُ بِمَفْرُوضٍ فِي الصَّلَاةِ كُلِّهَا وَ لَكِنَّهَا سُنَّةٌ وَ مَنْ تَرَكَهَا رَغْبَةً عَنْهَا وَ عَنْ جَمَاعَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ غَيْرِ عِلَّةٍ فَلَا صَلَاةَ لَهُ[2].
“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 (pr
قَالَ: لِيَكُنِ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَ الْإِمَامَ[3] أُولِي الْأَحْلَامِ مِنْكُمْ وَ النُّهَى فَإِنْ نَسِيَ الْإِمَامُ أَوْ تَعَايَا قَوَّمُوهُ[4] وَ أَفْضَلُ الصُّفُوفِ أَوَّلُهَا وَ أَفْضَلُ أَوَّلِهَا مَا دَنَا مِنَ الْإِمَامِ وَ فَضْلُ صَلَاةِ الْجَمَاعَةِ عَلَى صَلَاةِ الرَّجُلِ فَذّاً خَمْسٌ وَ عِشْرُونَ دَرَجَةً فِي الْجَنَّةِ.
“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), 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 cong
قَالَ: فَضْلُ مَيَامِنِ الصُّفُوفِ عَلَى مَيَاسِرِهَا كَفَضْلِ الْجَمَاعَةِ عَلَى صَلَاةِ الْفَرْدِ.
“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.’”
يُحْسَبُ لَكَ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ مَعَهُمْ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَقْتَدِ بِهِمْ مِثْلُ مَا يُحْسَبُ لَكَ إِذَا كُنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ تَقْتَدِي بِهِ[1].
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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.)
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَكُونُ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ فَأَفْرُغُ مِنَ الْقِرَاءَةِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَفْرُغَ قَالَ أَبْقِ آيَةً وَ مَجِّدِ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنِ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا فَرَغَ فَاقْرَأِ الْآيَةَ وَ ارْكَعْ.
“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ’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).”’
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ خَلْفَ الْمُخَالِفِينَ فَقَالَ مَا هُمْ عِنْدِي إِلَّا بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْجُدُرِ[2].
“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about performing Salah (prayer) behind those who oppose our belief. He (the Imam) said, ‘To me they are but walls (scarecrows).”’
أُصَلِّي خَلْفَ مَنْ لَا أَقْتَدِي بِهِ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتُ مِنْ قِرَاءَتِي وَ لَمْ يَفْرُغْ هُوَ قَالَ فَسَبِّحْ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ.
I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘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.’”
إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ خَلْفَ إِمَامٍ لَا تَقْتَدِي بِهِ فَاقْرَأْ خَلْفَهُ سَمِعْتَ قِرَاءَتَهُ أَوْ لَمْ تَسْمَعْ.
‘When you perform Salah (prayer) behind an Imam who is not qualified, read behind him the recitation, regardless, you hear him or not.’”
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ مَوَالِيَكَ قَدِ اخْتَلَفُوا فَأُصَلِّي خَلْفَهُمْ جَمِيعاً فَقَالَ لَا تُصَلِّ إِلَّا خَلْفَ مَنْ تَثِقُ بِدِينِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ لِي مَوَالٍ فَقُلْتُ أَصْحَابٌ فَقَالَ مُبَادِراً قَبْلَ أَنْ أَسْتَتِمَّ ذِكْرَهُمْ لَا يَأْمُرُكَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ حَدِيدٍ بِهَذَا أَوْ هَذَا مِمَّا يَأْمُرُكَ بِهِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ حَدِيدٍ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ[1].
“I said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘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
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ أُنَاساً رَوَوْا عَنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص أَنَّهُ صَلَّى أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ بَعْدَ الْجُمُعَةِ لَمْ يَفْصِلْ بَيْنَهُنَّ بِتَسْلِيمٍ فَقَالَ يَا زُرَارَةُ إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع صَلَّى خَلْفَ فَاسِقٍ فَلَمَّا سَلَّمَ وَ انْصَرَفَ قَامَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فَصَلَّى أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ لَمْ يَفْصِلْ بَيْنَهُنَّ بِتَسْلِيمٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ يَا أَبَا الْ
“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), ‘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 sai
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّا نُصَلِّي مَعَ هَؤُلَاءِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَ هُمْ يُصَلُّونَ فِي الْوَقْتِ فَكَيْفَ نَصْنَعُ فَقَالَ صَلُّوا مَعَهُمْ فَخَرَجَ حُمْرَانُ إِلَى زُرَارَةَ فَقَالَ لَهُ قَدْ أُمِرْنَا أَنْ نُصَلِّيَ مَعَهُمْ بِصَلَاتِهِمْ فَقَالَ زُرَارَةُ مَا يَكُونُ هَذَا إِلَّا بِتَأْوِيلٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ حُمْرَانُ قُمْ حَتَّى تَسْمَعَ مِنْهُ قَالَ فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ زُرَ
“I once said to Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘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
خَمْسَةٌ لَا يَؤُمُّونَ النَّاسَ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ الْمَجْذُومُ وَ الْأَبْرَصُ وَ الْمَجْنُونُ وَ وَلَدُ الزِّنَا وَ الْأَعْرَابِيُ[1].
“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), 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.’”
قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص لَا يَؤُمُّ الْمُقَيَّدُ الْمُطْلَقِينَ وَ لَا يَؤُمُّ صَاحِبُ الْفَالِجِ الْأَصِحَّاءَ وَ لَا صَاحِبُ التَّيَمُّمِ الْمُتَوَضِّينَ وَ لَا يَؤُمُّ الْأَعْمَى فِي الصَّحْرَاءِ إِلَّا أَنْ يُوَجَّهَ إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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).’”
فِي رَجُلَيْنِ اخْتَلَفَا فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا كُنْتُ إِمَامَكَ وَ قَالَ الْآخَرُ أَنَا كُنْتُ إِمَامَكَ فَقَالَ[2] صَلَاتُهُمَا تَامَّةٌ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ قَالَ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا كُنْتُ أَئْتَمُّ بِكَ قَالَ صَلَاتُهُمَا فَاسِدَةٌ وَ لْيَسْتَأْنِفَا.
“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
قُلْتُ لَهُ الصَّلَاةُ خَلْفَ الْعَبْدِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِذَا كَانَ فَقِيهاً وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ هُنَاكَ أَفْقَهُ مِنْهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ أُصَلِّي خَلْفَ الْأَعْمَى قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا كَانَ لَهُ مَنْ يُسَدِّدُهُ وَ كَانَ أَفْضَلَهُمْ قَالَ وَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع لَا يُصَلِّيَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ خَلْفَ الْمَجْذُومِ وَ الْأَبْرَصِ وَ الْمَجْنُونِ وَ الْمَحْدُودِ وَ وَلَدِ الزِّنَا وَ الْأَعْرَابِيُّ لَا يَؤُمُّ ا
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 ex
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْقَوْمِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا يَجْتَمِعُونَ فَتَحْضُرُ الصَّلَاةُ فَيَقُولُ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ تَقَدَّمْ يَا فُلَانُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ يَتَقَدَّمُ الْقَوْمَ أَقْرَؤُهُمْ لِلْقُرْآنِ فَإِنْ كَانُوا فِي الْقِرَاءَةِ سَوَاءً فَأَقْدَمُهُمْ هِجْرَةً فَإِنْ كَانُوا فِي الْهِجْرَةِ سَوَاءً فَأَكْبَرُهُمْ سِنّاً فَإِنْ كَانُوا فِي السِّنِّ سَوَاءً فَلْيَؤُمَّهُمْ أَعْل
‘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
لَا بَأْسَ بِالْغُلَامِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَبْلُغِ الْحُلُمَ أَنْ يَؤُمَّ الْقَوْمَ وَ أَنْ يُؤَذِّنَ.
“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), 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.)
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَؤُمُّ الْمَرْأَةَ فِي بَيْتِهِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ تَقُومُ وَرَاءَهُ.
“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), 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.”’
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَؤُمُّ النِّسَاءَ فَقَالَ إِذَا كُنَّ جَمِيعاً أَمَّتْهُنَّ فِي النَّافِلَةِ فَأَمَّا الْمَكْتُوبَةُ فَلَا وَ لَا تَقَدَّمْهُنَّ وَ لَكِنْ تَقُومُ وَسَطاً مِنْهُنَ[1].
“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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.’”
نَعَمْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مَعَهُ صَبِيٌّ فَلْيَقُمْ إِلَى جَانِبِهِ.
“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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.’”
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ خَلْفَ الْإِمَامِ أَقْرَأُ خَلْفَهُ فَقَالَ أَمَّا الصَّلَاةُ الَّتِي لَا يُجْهَرُ فِيهَا بِالْقِرَاءَةِ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ جُعِلَ إِلَيْهِ فَلَا تَقْرَأْ خَلْفَهُ وَ أَمَّا الصَّلَاةُ الَّتِي يُجْهَرُ فِيهَا فَإِنَّمَا أُمِرَ بِالْجَهْرِ لِيُنْصِتَ مَنْ خَلْفَهُ فَإِنْ سَمِعْتَ فَأَنْصِتْ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَسْمَعْ فَاقْرَأْ.
“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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 reci
إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ خَلْفَ إِمَامٍ تَأْتَمُّ بِهِ فَلَا تَقْرَأْ خَلْفَهُ سَمِعْتَ قِرَاءَتَهُ أَوْ لَمْ تَسْمَعْ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ صَلَاةً يُجْهَرُ فِيهَا وَ لَمْ تَسْمَعْ فَاقْرَأْ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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.’”
إِذَا كُنْتَ خَلْفَ إِمَامٍ تَأْتَمُّ بِهِ فَأَنْصِتْ وَ سَبِّحْ فِي نَفْسِكَ.
“One of the two Imam (a.s.), 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.’”
إِذَا كُنْتَ خَلْفَ إِمَامٍ تَرْتَضِي بِهِ فِي صَلَاةٍ يُجْهَرُ فِيهَا بِالْقِرَاءَةِ فَلَمْ تَسْمَعْ قِرَاءَتَهُ فَاقْرَأْ أَنْتَ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَسْمَعُ الْهَمْهَمَةَ فَلَا تَقْرَأْ.
“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.’”
سَأَلْتُ أَحَدَهُمَا ع عَنِ الْإِمَامِ يَضْمَنُ صَلَاةَ الْقَوْمِ قَالَ لَا.
“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.’”
أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ مَنْ قَرَأَ خَلْفَ إِمَامٍ يَأْتَمُّ بِهِ فَمَاتَ بُعِثَ عَلَى غَيْرِ الْفِطْرَةِ[1].
“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), 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).”’
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ أَمَّ قَوْماً وَ هُوَ عَلَى غَيْرِ طُهْرٍ فَأَعْلَمَهُمْ بَعْدَ مَا صَلَّوْا فَقَالَ يُعِيدُ هُوَ وَ لَا يُعِيدُونَ.
“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), 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.”’
يُعِيدُ وَ لَا يُعِيدُونَ فَإِنَّهُمْ قَدْ تَحَرَّوْا[2].
“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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)).’”
سَأَلْتُ أَحَدَهُمَا ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ صَلَّى بِقَوْمٍ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَأَخْبَرَهُمْ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَى وُضُوءٍ قَالَ يُتِمُّ الْقَوْمُ صَلَاتَهُمْ فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ ضَمَانٌ[3].
“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.’”
فِي قَوْمٍ خَرَجُوا مِنْ خُرَاسَانَ أَوْ بَعْضِ الْجِبَالِ وَ كَانَ يَؤُمُّهُمْ رَجُلٌ فَلَمَّا صَارُوا إِلَى الْكُوفَةِ عَلِمُوا أَنَّهُ يَهُودِيٌّ قَالَ لَا يُعِيدُونَ.
“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 (a.s.), has said, ‘They are not required to perform their Salah (prayer) again.’”
يُصَلِّي مَعَهُمْ وَ يَجْعَلُهَا الْفَرِيضَةَ.
“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), 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.”’
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أُصَلِّي ثُمَّ أَدْخُلُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَتُقَامُ الصَّلَاةُ[1] وَ قَدْ صَلَّيْتُ فَقَالَ صَلِّ مَعَهُمْ يَخْتَارُ اللَّهُ أَحَبَّهُمَا إِلَيْهِ.
“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘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.’”
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ وَ افْتَتَحَ الصَّلَاةَ فَبَيْنَا هُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي إِذَا أَذَّنَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ وَ أَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ قَالَ فَلْيُصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ لْيَسْتَأْنِفِ الصَّلَاةَ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ وَ لْتَكُنِ الرَّكْعَتَانِ تَطَوُّعاً.
“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ تَحْضُرُ صَلَاةُ الظُّهْرِ فَلَا نَقْدِرُ أَنْ نَنْزِلَ فِي الْوَقْتِ حَتَّى يَنْزِلُوا وَ نَنْزِلَ مَعَهُمْ[2] فَنُصَلِّيَ ثُمَّ يَقُومُونَ فَيُسْرِعُونَ فَنَقُومُ فَنُصَلِّي الْعَصْرَ وَ نُرِيهِمْ كَأَنَّا نَرْكَعُ ثُمَّ يَنْزِلُونَ لِلْعَصْرِ فَيُقَدِّمُونَّا فَنُصَلِّي بِهِمْ فَقَالَ صَلِّ بِهِمْ لَا صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ.
“I once said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘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 th
كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع أَنِّي أَحْضُرُ الْمَسَاجِدَ مَعَ جِيرَتِي وَ غَيْرِهِمْ فَيَأْمُرُونِّي بِالصَّلَاةِ بِهِمْ وَ قَدْ صَلَّيْتُ قَبْلَ أَنْ آتِيَهُمْ وَ رُبَّمَا صَلَّى خَلْفِي مَنْ يَقْتَدِي بِصَلَاتِي وَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُ وَ الْجَاهِلُ وَ أَكْرَهُ أَنْ أَتَقَدَّمَ وَ قَدْ صَلَّيْتُ بِحَالِ مَنْ يُصَلِّي[2] بِصَلَاتِي مِمَّنْ سَمَّيْتُ لَكَ فَمُرْنِي فِي ذَلِكَ بِأَمْرِكَ أَنْتَهِي إِلَيْهِ وَ أَعْمَل
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
مَنْ صَلَّى مَعَهُمْ فِي الصَّفِّ الْأَوَّلِ كَانَ كَمَنْ صَلَّى خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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.’”
سَأَلْتُهُ[3] عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَانَ يُصَلِّي فَخَرَجَ الْإِمَامُ وَ قَدْ صَلَّى الرَّجُلُ رَكْعَةً مِنْ صَلَاةٍ فَرِيضَةٍ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ إِمَاماً عَدْلًا فَلْيُصَلِّ أُخْرَى وَ يَنْصَرِفُ وَ يَجْعَلُهُمَا تَطَوُّعاً وَ لْيَدْخُلْ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ فِي صَلَاتِهِ كَمَا هُوَ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ إِمَامٌ عَدْلٌ فَلْيَبْنِ عَلَى صَلَاتِهِ كَمَا هُوَ وَ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَةً أُخْرَى مَعَهُ يَجْلِسُ قَدْرَ مَا يَقُولُ- أَشْهَدُ أ
“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), 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)
مَنْ صَلَّى فِي مَنْزِلِهِ ثُمَّ أَتَى مَسْجِداً مِنْ مَسَاجِدِهِمْ فَصَلَّى مَعَهُمْ خَرَجَ بِحَسَنَاتِهِمْ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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.’”
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُدْرِكُ الرَّكْعَةَ الثَّانِيَةَ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ وَ هِيَ لَهُ الْأُولَى كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ إِذَا جَلَسَ الْإِمَامُ قَالَ يَتَجَافَى[1] وَ لَا يَتَمَكَّنُ مِنَ الْقُعُودِ فَإِذَا كَانَتِ الثَّالِثَةُ لِلْإِمَامِ وَ هِيَ لَهُ الثَّانِيَةُ فَلْيَلْبَثْ قَلِيلًا إِذَا قَامَ الْإِمَامُ بِقَدْرِ مَا يَتَشَهَّدُ ثُمَّ يَلْحَقُ بِالْإِمَامِ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَن
“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذَا لَمْ تُدْرِكْ تَكْبِيرَةَ الرُّكُوعِ فَلَا تَدْخُلْ فِي تِلْكَ الرَّكْعَةِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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.’”
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ يَسْبِقُنِي الْإِمَامُ بِالرَّكْعَةِ فَتَكُونُ لِي وَاحِدَةٌ وَ لَهُ ثِنْتَانِ فَأَتَشَهَّدُ كُلَّمَا قَعَدْتُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَإِنَّمَا التَّشَهُّدُ بَرَكَةٌ.
“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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
إِذَا سَبَقَكَ الْإِمَامُ بِرَكْعَةٍ فَأَدْرَكْتَ الْقِرَاءَةَ الْأَخِيرَةَ قَرَأْتَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ وَ هِيَ ثِنْتَانِ لَكَ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تُدْرِكْ مَعَهُ إِلَّا رَكْعَةً وَاحِدَةً قَرَأْتَ فِيهَا وَ فِي الَّتِي تَلِيهَا وَ إِنْ سَبَقَكَ بِرَكْعَةٍ جَلَسْتَ فِي الثَّانِيَةِ لَكَ وَ الثَّالِثَةِ لَهُ حَتَّى تَعْتَدِلَ الصُّفُوفُ قِيَاماً قَالَ وَ قَالَ إِذَا وَجَدْتَ الْإِمَامَ سَاجِداً فَاثْبُتْ مَكَان
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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 o
إِذَا أَدْرَكْتَ الْإِمَامَ قَدْ رَكَعَ فَكَبَّرْتَ وَ رَكَعْتَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَرْفَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَقَدْ أَدْرَكْتَ الرَّكْعَةَ فَإِنْ رَفَعَ الْإِمَامُ رَأْسَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَرْكَعَ فَقَدْ فَاتَتْكَ الرَّكْعَةُ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), 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