Making Tasleem along with the Imam
Question:
What is the ruling of making tasleem along with the imam (leader of prayer) in Congregational Prayer?
Answer:
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The Imam is (appointed) to be followed. So do not differ from him, bow when he bows, and say, “Rabbana-lakal hamd” if he says “Sami`a l-lahu liman hamidah“; and if he prostrates, prostrate (after him), and if he prays sitting, pray sitting all together, and straighten the rows for the prayer, as the straightening of the rows is amongst those things which make your prayer a correct and perfect one.” (Al-Bukhari)
It is unlawful (haram) for the follower (ma’mum) to precede the imam or even go along with the imam in the actions of prayer. The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned severely of that by saying: “Does he who raises up his head before the Imam not fear that Allah will turn his head to that of a donkey, or turn his appearance into that of a donkey?” (Agreed upon)
To know more about the rulings of following the imam, watch this important talk with Dr. Muhammad Salah.