Congregational Prayer and Its Virtue

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."

يُحَوِّلُهُ إِلَى يَمِينِهِ.

Hadith.1175 - Al-Hussain ibn Yasar narrated that he heard someone asking Imam Al-Ridha (as) about a man who was praying next to another man and stood on his left side without knowing what to do upon realizing this during the prayer. Imam (as) said: "He should move him to his right side."

وَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ كَانَ النِّسَاءُ يُصَلِّينَ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ص فَكُنَّ يُؤْمَرْنَ أَنْ لَا يَرْفَعْنَ رُءُوسَهُنَّ قَبْلَ الرِّجَالِ لِضِيقِ الْأُزُرِ[4].

Hadith.1176 - The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "The women used to pray with The Prophet (sw), and they were instructed not to raise their heads (from prostration) before the men due to the tightness of the garments”.

تَؤُمُّهُنَّ فِي النَّافِلَةِ[5] فَأَمَّا فِي الْمَكْتُوبَةِ فَلَا وَ لَا تَتَقَدَّمُهُنَّ وَ لَكِنْ تَقُومُ‌

Hadith.1177 - Hisham ibn Salim asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about whether a woman can lead other women in prayer. Imam (as) said: "She may lead them in the nafl (supererogatory) prayers, but not in the obligatory (fardh) prayers. Moreover, She should not stand in front of them; rather, She should stand i

قُلْتُ لَهُ الْمَرْأَةُ تَؤُمُّ النِّسَاءَ قَالَ لَا إِلَّا عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ أَحَدٌ أَوْلَى مِنْهَا تَقُومُ وَسَطَهُنَّ مَعَهُنَّ فِي الصَّفِّ فَتُكَبِّرُ وَ يُكَبِّرْنَ.

Hadith.1178 – Zurarah narrated from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) that He said: “I asked him whether a woman can lead other women in prayer.” Imam (as) said: "No, except for the prayer over the deceased (funeral prayer) if there is no one more appropriate than her. In that case, She should stand among them in the

«صَلاَةُ اَلْمَرْأَةِ فِي مِخْدَعِهَا أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صَلاَتِهَا فِي بَيْتِهَا وَ صَلاَتُهَا فِي بَيْتِهَا أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صَلاَتِهَا فِي اَلدَّارِ. Hadith.1179 - Hisham ibn Salim narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq {a.s}: "A woman's prayer in her private chamber (mikhdah) is better than her prayer in her house, and her prayer in her house is better than her prayer in the courtyard."

نَعَمْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مَعَهُنَّ غِلْمَانٌ فَأَقِيمُوهُمْ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِنَّ وَ إِنْ كَانُوا عَبِيداً.

Hadith.1180 - Al-Halabi asked Imam (as) about a man leading women in prayer. Imam (as) said: "Yes, he may lead them, and if there are young boys among them, position them in front of the women, even if they are servants."

لَا يَؤُمُّ الْحَضَرِيُّ الْمُسَافِرَ وَ لَا يَؤُمُّ الْمُسَافِرُ الْحَضَرِيَ‌[2] فَإِنِ ابْتُلِيَ الرَّجُلُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَمَّ قَوْماً حَاضِرِينَ فَإِذَا أَتَمَّ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ سَلَّمَ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ بِيَدِ أَحَدِهِمْ فَقَدَّمَهُ فَأَمَّهُمْ فَإِذَا صَلَّى الْمُسَافِرُ خَلْفَ قَوْمٍ حُضُورٍ فَلْيُتِمَّ صَلَاتَهُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ يُسَلِّمُ.

Hadith.1181 - Dawud ibn Al-Hussain narrated that the Imam (as) said: "A resident (non-traveler) should not lead a traveler, nor should a traveler lead a resident. If a man finds himself in a situation where he must lead a congregation of residents and completes two rak'ahs, he should then offer the taslim (salutation o

وَ قَدْ رُوِيَ‌ أَنَّهُ إِنْ خَافَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ مِنْ أَجْلِ مَنْ يُصَلِّي مَعَهُ صَلَّى الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ وَ جَعَلَهُمَا تَطَوُّعاً[3].

Hadith.1182 - It has been narrated: "If a person fears for himself due to those praying with him, he should pray the last two rak'ahs and make them voluntary (nafl) prayers”.

وَ قَدْ رُوِيَ‌ أَنَّهُ إِنْ كَانَ فِي صَلَاةِ الظُّهْرِ جَعَلَ الْأَوَّلَتَيْنِ فَرِيضَةً وَ الْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ نَافِلَةً وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِي صَلَاةِ الْعَصْرِ جَعَلَ الْأَوَّلَتَيْنِ نَافِلَةً وَ الْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ فَرِيضَةً.

Hadith.1183 - It has been narrated: "If it is during the Dhuhr prayer, he should make the first two rak'ahs obligatory and the last two rak'ahs voluntary. If it is during the Asr prayer, he should make the first two rak'ahs voluntary and the last two rak'ahs obligatory."

وَ قَدْ رُوِيَ: «أَنَّهُ إِنْ كَانَ فِي صَلاَةِ اَلظُّهْرِ جَعَلَ اَلْأَوَّلَتَيْنِ اَلظُّهْرَ وَ اَلْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ اَلْعَصْرَ.

Hadith.1184 - It has been narrated: "If it is during the Dhuhr prayer, he should make the first two rak'ahs for Dhuhr and the last two rak'ahs for Asr."

كَانَ مَنْصُورُ بْنُ حَازِمٍ يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا أَتَيْتَ الْإِمَامَ وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ قَدْ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَكَبِّرْ ثُمَّ اجْلِسْ فَإِذَا قُمْتَ فَكَبِّرْ[1].

Hadith.1185 - Abdullah ibn al-Mughira narrated that Mansur ibn Hazim used to say: "If you come to the Imam and he is sitting, having already prayed two rak'ahs, say the takbir (Allahu Akbar) and then sit. When you stand up, say the takbir again."

يُجْزِيكَ مِنَ الْقِرَاءَةِ إِذَا كُنْتَ مَعَهُمْ مِثْلُ حَدِيثِ

مَنْ صَلَّى بِقَوْمٍ فَاخْتَصَّ نَفْسَهُ بِالدُّعَاءِ دُونَهُمْ فَقَدْ خَانَهُمْ[4]

لَا تُسْمِعَنَّ الْإِمَامَ دُعَاكَ خَلْفَهُ‌[5].

"Do not let the Imam hear your supplication behind him”.

صَلَّيْتُ خَلْفَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْفَجْرَ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ مِنْ قِرَاءَتِهِ فِي الثَّانِيَةِ جَهَرَ بِصَوْتِهِ نَحْواً مِمَّا كَانَ يَقْرَأُ وَ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَ ارْحَمْنَا وَ عَافِنَا وَ اعْفُ عَنَّا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ إِنَّكَ عَلى‌ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ قَدِيرٌ[7]*.

"I prayed behind Abu Abdullah (as) for Fajr (dawn prayer). When he finished the recitation in the second rak'ah, he raised his voice slightly as if reciting and said: Allahumma ighfir lana wa irhamna wa ‘afina wa ‘u‘fu ‘anna fi ad-dunya wa al-akhirah. Innaka ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer 'O’ Allah (swt), forgive us, have m

يَنْبَغِي لِلْإِمَامِ‌ أَنْ يَجْلِسَ حَتَّى يُتِمَّ مَنْ خَلْفَهُ صَلَاتَهُمْ‌[1] وَ يَنْبَغِي لِلْإِمَامِ أَنْ يُسْمِعَ مَنْ خَلْفَهُ التَّشَهُّدَ وَ لَا يُسْمِعُونَهُ هُمْ شَيْئاً يَعْنِي الشَّهَادَتَيْنِ وَ يُسْمِعَهُمْ أَيْضاً السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَ عَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ.

"It is appropriate for the Imam to sit until those behind him complete their prayers. The Imam should also recite the tashahhud (testimony of faith) loud enough for those behind him to hear, but they should not make their recitation audible to him—referring to the two testimonies (Shahadatayn). He should also audibly r