Following the Imam in Sujood When Should You Move?
Question
If the imam says “Allahu Akbar” but hasn’t yet placed his face on the ground, should I go into sujood immediately after hearing the takbeer, or should I wait until I see that he is already in sujood?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala rasulillah, wa ‘ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma‘in.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The imam has only been appointed to be followed. So when he says takbeer, then say takbeer, and when he prostrates, then prostrate.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)
From this hadith, the jurists derived the rule that the follower (ma’mūm) must follow the imam’s actions, not merely his words.
1. The Principle (Usul):
المأموم يتبع الإمام في أفعاله لا في أقواله
“The follower follows the imam’s actions, not only his statements.”
The command “when he prostrates, then prostrate” shows that you should begin the movement after the imam actually starts his own movement not simultaneously with his words, and not before him.
2. Practical Ruling:
- When the imam says “Allahu Akbar” for sujood, he is beginning the transition.
- You should wait until he starts lowering himself into sujood, then follow.
- The scholars explain that the proper sunnah is to move right after the imam begins the act neither before him (which is haram) nor simultaneously (which is disliked), but slightly after him.
Imam al-Nawawi (Shafi‘i) said in Sharh Muslim:
“The meaning is that he should begin his movement after the imam begins his, not before him, and not with him.”
The same is reported from the Hanafi, Maliki, and Hanbali schools.
3. If You Move Too Early:
If a follower goes into sujood before the imam actually begins to descend, it is considered contrary to the sunnah.
- If he does it intentionally, some scholars held it as makruh tahrimi (sinful).
- If he does it accidentally, his prayer remains valid, but he should correct his timing in the future.
Final Ruling:
You should wait until the imam actually begins lowering himself into sujood before you follow.
Do not wait until he is completely on the ground, but begin your sujood as soon as he starts his descent, following his action not only his words.
And Allah knows best.