Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sahih Muslim, which contains 7,459 hadiths across 57 books. It is hadith number 837 in the Book of The Book of Prayers.

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

‹

#836

#837

Sahih Muslim

#838

›

Sahih Muslim #837

Q: What is Sahih Muslim 837 about?

This hadith from Sahih Muslim (Book of The Book of Prayers), narrated by Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying:, states: "The Imam is appointed to be followed. So recite takbir when he recites it, and bow down when he bows down and when he utters:" Allah listens to him who praises Him," say" O Allah, our Lord, for Thee b…"

The Book of Prayers

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الطَّاهِرِ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، عَنْ حَيْوَةَ، أَنَّ أَبَا يُونُسَ، مَوْلَى أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ حَدَّثَهُ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يَقُولُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ فَكَبِّرُوا وَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ ‏.‏ فَقُولُوا اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ ‏.‏ وَإِذَا صَلَّى قَائِمًا فَصَلُّوا قِيَامًا وَإِذَا صَلَّى قَاعِدًا فَصَلُّوا قُعُودًا أَجْمَعُونَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

The Imam is appointed to be followed. So recite takbir when he recites it, and bow down when he bows down and when he utters:" Allah listens to him who praises Him," say" O Allah, our Lord, for Thee be the praise." And when he prays, standing, you should pray standing. And when he prays sitting, all of you should pray sitting.

Narrated by Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasizes the importance of following the Imam during prayer. He instructs the congregation to perform actions in unison with the Imam, such as reciting takbir and bowing. This guidance ensures that the prayer is conducted in a unified manner, reflecting the collective worship of the community.

Modern Application

In daily salah, following the Imam helps maintain focus and unity among worshippers. This practice fosters a sense of community and shared spirituality, allowing individuals to connect with one another and with Allah during prayer.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Prophetic Conduct because it provides specific instructions on how to conduct prayer in congregation, highlighting the role of the Imam.

Prayer Prophetic Conduct

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ

An-Nisaa (The Women)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قِيَٰمًۭا وَقُعُودًۭا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا ٱطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَٰبًۭا مَّوْقُوتًۭا

And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.

وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَلْتَقُمْ طَآئِفَةٌۭ مِّنْهُم مَّعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوٓا۟ أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ فَإِذَا سَجَدُوا۟ فَلْيَكُونُوا۟ مِن وَرَآئِكُمْ وَلْتَأْتِ طَآئِفَةٌ أُخْرَىٰ لَمْ يُصَلُّوا۟ فَلْيُصَلُّوا۟ مَعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا۟ حِذْرَهُمْ وَأَسْلِحَتَهُمْ ۗ وَدَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْ تَغْفُلُونَ عَنْ أَسْلِحَتِكُمْ وَأَمْتِعَتِكُمْ فَيَمِيلُونَ عَلَيْكُم مَّيْلَةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ ۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِن كَانَ بِكُمْ أَذًۭى مِّن مَّطَرٍ أَوْ كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَن تَضَعُوٓا۟ أَسْلِحَتَكُمْ ۖ وَخُذُوا۟ حِذْرَكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلْكَٰفِرِينَ عَذَابًۭا مُّهِينًۭا

And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms. Those who disbelieve wish that you would neglect your weapons and your baggage so they could come down upon you in one [single] attack. But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled by rain or are ill, for putting down your arms, but take precaution. Indeed, Allah has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.

سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱرْكَعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ

And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].

سُورَةُ الحَجِّ

Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

۩ Sajdah

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱرْكَعُوا۟ وَٱسْجُدُوا۟ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ وَٱفْعَلُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ۩

O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed.

سُورَةُ الحِجۡرِ

Al-Hijr (The Rock)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُن مِّنَ ٱلسَّٰجِدِينَ

So exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord and be of those who prostrate [to Him].

Common Words

106 total89 unique11 repeated

ٱلصلوة5x

فإذا3x

إن3x

من3x

ٱلله2x

طائفة2x

معك2x

وليأخذوا2x

ٱلذين2x

أسلحتكم2x

عليكم2x

قضيتم1x

فٱذكروا1x

قيما1x

وقعودا1x

وعلى1x

جنوبكم1x

ٱطمأننتم1x

فأقيموا1x

كانت1x

Scroll to explore ayah details

Related Hadiths

About Sahih Muslim

This hadith is #837 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Prayers. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying:.

Browse all Sahih Muslim All Hadith Collections

Sahih Muslim #837

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sahih Muslim

About This Hadith