[32] Mistakes done by those who recite the Iq?mah and those who hear it:

[1/ 32] It is a wide spread belief that the Mu’aththin is the only one who should recite the Iq?mah. This belief is built upon a weak had?th which states: ‘whoever recites the ’Ath?n should recite the Iq?mah’. (1)

Al-Alb?n? said: ‘This had?th has many negative effects on people; one of which is that it may cause fights amongst people in the mosque -as happened more than once. If the Mu’aththin was late and one of the people wanted to recite the Iq?mah on his behalf, he would be stopped by other people depending on this weak had?th which should not be ascribed to the prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) nor should be taken as a pretext to deter people from doing this act of worship; i.e. reciting the Iq?mah’. (2)

[2/ 32] The Mu’aththin -or whoever is on his behalf- may not recite the Iq?mah without the Im?m’s leave. Accordingly, people should acknowledge this right of the Im?m. May All?h ( - عز وجل -) guide us to that which pleases Him.

[3/ 32] The Iq?mah’s formula is affirmed in all the had?th books, through countless chains of narrators; accordingly, none has the right to add to it whatsoever. Some Mu’aththin?n, however, add the word “Sayyidun?” to it, although it was not affirmed to be narrated by any of the rightly guided caliphs, the Sah?bah or the T?bi‘?n nor did they ever recommend that it should be added to the Iq?mah. (3)

[4/ 32] Some Mu’aththin?n tend to stand in the first row just right behind the Im?m though they are not of those of sound