Regarding this, Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaim?n said: ‘I saw a thing that is totally strange; I saw some people recite Tasl?m before their Im?m does in order to pace to the Black Stone to have the chance to kiss it. Doing so, they have rendered their Sal?t invalid and hence causing to loss one of the greatest articles of Isl?m in order to do something which is optional and should only be done following Taw?f. All of this is due to their ignorance [of Islamic rulings]’. (1)
[3/ 41] On the other hand, some people are so late in following the Im?m in his Ruk?‘ or Suj?d. Such people have indeed violated the prophet’s ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) order which states: ‘Verily, the Im?m is appointed to be followed; so when he does Ruk?‘ follow him, and when he rises from it, follow him’. (2)
The apparent meaning of the had?th states that a Ma’m?m should do Ruk?‘ after the Im?m does so; that is after the Im?m bends completely or after he commences in it and the Ma’m?m should not delay his Ruk?‘ till the Im?m is about to rise from it and then the former does it so quickly and follows the same manner in the rest of his Sal?t. Whoever does so, has not achieved the state of Tuma’n?nah [calmness] and reassurance for he is always afraid of loosing part of his Sal?t.
The Im?m is indeed recommended to fear All?h ( - عز وجل -) for he is a guarantor of others’ Sal?t and should do Sal?t calmly. All?h ( - عز وجل -) indeed guides to that which is right. Im?m Ahmad said: ‘The Im?m is indeed the one who should advice those who follow him in Sal?t to follow him in Ruk?‘ and Suj?d, and not to preced him or do the
(1) “Al-’Ahk?mul Fiqhiyyah” (p. 21).
(2) narrated by Al - Bukh?r? in his “Sah?h” (no. 688), (1113), (1236) and (5658) through a chain of narrators traced back to ‘Aishah. Another chain of narrators-documented by Al-Bukh?r?-traced back to Anas ( - رضي الله عنه -) ( no. 689) and (1114). The later includes an addition which states: ‘when he [the Im?m] recites Takb?r, do the same after him’. This means that the Ma’m?m?n should wait till the Im?m recites Takb?r fully, then do the same after him. Unfortunately, many people do not know such Ah?d?th or may have misunderstood them, some may even ignore doing Sal?t itself. Accordingly, it is not of Sunnah to recite Takb?r with the Im?m simultaneously, but after he does so completely. Whoever recites Takb?r before the Im?m; his Sal?t is rendered invalid (this is the Jumh?r’s view). See: “As-Sal?t” by Im?m Ahmad (p. 39).