Similarities and Differences Between the Imam and the Makmum During Prayer

Table of Contents

Hi all readers! In this article, we will discuss the similarities and differences between the imam and the makmum during prayer. There are specific actions that the imam performs and must be followed by the makmum, as well as actions where differences apply.

As always, before we dive into the details, let's look at a hadith related to this topic. Please pay attention!

Hadith About Imam and Makmum in Prayer (Salat)

The hadith that explains the similarities and differences between the imam and the makmum is as follows:

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ ؛ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ ؛ إِنَّمَا جَعَلَ الْإِمَامُ لِيُؤَتِمَّ بِهِ . فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ فَكَبِّرُوْا وَلَا تُكَبِّرُوْا حَتَّى يُكَبِّرَ . وَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوْا وَلَا تَرْكَعُوْا حَتَّى يَرْكَعَ . وَإِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ ، فَقُوْلُوْا ؛ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ . وِإِذَا سَجَدَ فَاسْجُدُوْا وَلَا تَسْجُدُوْا حَتَّى يَسْجُدَ . وَإِذَا صَلَّى قَائِمًا فَصَلُّوْا قِيَامًا ، وَإِذَا صَلَّى قَاعِدًا فَصَلُّوْا قُعُوْدًا أَجْمَعِيْنَ . رَوَاهُ أَبُوْ دَاوُدَ

From Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The imam is appointed to be followed. When he says takbir, then you should say takbir. Do not say takbir before him. When he bows (rukoo'), bow with him. Do not bow before him. When he says, 'Sami'allaahu liman hamidah (Allah hears the one who praises Him),' you should say, 'Allaahumma Rabbanaa wa laka al-hamdu (O Allah, our Lord, and to You belongs all praise).' When he prostrates, then prostrate with him. Do not prostrate before him. If he prays standing, then pray standing. If he prays sitting, then all of you should pray sitting." (Hadith narrated by Abu Dawood)

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Key Points from the Hadith

Below are some key points from the hadith that you need to understand thoroughly:

Makmum must follow the imam

All actions of the makmum in prayer should follow the movements of the imam.

Specific Recitations During Prayer

• The phrase سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ is exclusively for the imam.
• The makmum should respond with اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ.

Scholarly Opinions

• The majority of Islamic scholars agree that the imam and an individual praying alone should say سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ, while the makmum recites اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ.
• Imam Ash-Shafi'i and one opinion of Imam Malik state that all worshippers—whether imam, makmum, or individuals—should recite both tasbih and tahmid.
• Another opinion from Imam Malik suggests that the imam recites both, but the makmum only says اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ.

Praying While Sitting

• The hadith emphasizes that if the imam prays while sitting due to valid reasons, the makmum should also pray while sitting.
• However, the Hanbali school of thought permits a standing makmum to continue standing even if the imam prays while seated.

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Conclusion

The imam leads the prayer, and the makmum is required to follow. While certain actions and recitations are shared, there are also distinctions in roles and responsibilities during prayer.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!

May this article be beneficial to all readers. Ameen.

See you in the next article!