Download PDF: [S] To Follow the Imam in Salaah

It is mentioned that once, the famous tyrant, Hujjaj bin Yusuf, once came for Hajj and stood in the same line as the famous scholar of Madina Shareef, namely Hadrat Sayyiduna Sa’eed bin Musayyib – may Allah be pleased with him.

 

As they began to follow the Imam, Yusuf bin Hujjaj began to go into Ruku and Sajdah before the Imam. When the Salaah was completed, Hadrat Sayyiduna Sa’eed bin Musayyib – may Allah be pleased with him – picked up his shoes and said, “O thief! O disgraceful person! You read Salaah in this fashion. My feeling is that I should take this shoe and slap your face with it.”

 

After this incident, Hujjaj then travelled to Damascus and was also nominated later as the Governor of the region.

 

Hujjaj also travelled to the Masjid in Madina Shareef where the eminent scholar Hadrat Sayyiduna Sa’eed bin Musayyib – may Allah be pleased with him – was teaching Ahadith. He then asked the great scholar, “You were the one who called me a thief and a disgraceful person”.

The eminent scholar bravely replied, “Yes, I was the one who called you with these words and I was speaking the actual truth.”

 

When Hujjaj heard the brave words of this eminent saint and scholar, he remained absolutely silent and could not utter a word. All he could say was, “May Allah reward you, you had indeed taught me a great lesson. And now, when I read the Salaah behind anyone, I am always able to picture your shoes in front of me. I am also able picture you standing in front of me and from that moment, I read the Salaah with great caution.” (Ruhul Bayan)

 

This also gives us a warning that when we read Salaah in congregation, we should also make sure that we follow the Imam and not to perform anything before the Imam. We notice that many people are oblivious of this important lesson and do not realize that they are destroying their Salaah and their reward. It is also mentioned that a person who continues to do this in spite of being warned would certainly receive great punishment for this act.