Hadith Research Libraryمكتبة الحديث والرجال

Chapter 46.0

Who is most deserving of leading the Prayer

باب مَنْ أَحَقُّ بِالإِمَامَةِ

2 hadiths

Sunan Ibn Majah, 979sahih

Chain of narration · Isnād

Each narrator name opens their biography and classical source evidence.

5 transmitters

Narrated by Bashr bin Hilal al-SwaffromYazid bin Zari'fromKhalid bin Mahran al-Hadha'fromAbu Qalaba, 'Abdullah bin Zayd al-JarmifromMalik bin al-Hwyrth

Hadith text · Matn

‏ إِذَا حَضَرَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَأَذِّنَا وَأَقِيمَا، وَلْيَؤُمَّكُمَا أَكْبَرُكُمَا ‏

‏ ‏.‏

English translation

It was narrated that Malik bin Huwairith said:

“I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) with a friend of mine, and when we wanted to leave, he said to us: ‘When the time for prayer comes, say the Adhan and Iqamah, then let the older of you lead the prayer.’”

Original Arabic chain wording

حَدَّثَنَا بِشْرُ بْنُ هِلاَلٍ الصَّوَّافُ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ، عَنْ خَالِدٍ الْحَذَّاءِ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ الْحُوَيْرِثِ، قَالَ أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ أَنَا وَصَاحِبٌ لِي فَلَمَّا أَرَدْنَا الاِنْصِرَافَ قَالَ لَنَا ‏

Sunan Ibn Majah, 980sahih

Chain of narration · Isnād

Each narrator name opens their biography and classical source evidence.

6 transmitters

Narrated by Muhammad bin Bashar BindarfromMuhammad bin Ja'far bin Abi KathirfromShu'bah bin al-HajjajfromIsma'il bin Raja'a bin Rabi'a al-ZubaidifromAws bin Dm'jfromAbu Mas'ud al-Badri

Hadith text · Matn

‏ يَؤُمُّ الْقَوْمَ أَقْرَؤُهُمْ لِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ، فَإِنْ كَانَتْ قِرَاءَتُهُمْ سَوَاءً، فَلْيَؤُمَّهُمْ أَقْدَمُهُمْ هِجْرَةً، فَإِنْ كَانَتِ الْهِجْرَةُ سَوَاءً، فَلْيَؤُمَّهُمْ أَكْبَرُهُمْ سِنًّا، وَلاَ يُؤَمَّ الرَّجُلُ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَلاَ فِي سُلْطَانِهِ، وَلاَ يُجْلَسْ عَلَى تَكْرِمَتِهِ فِي بَيْتِهِ، إِلاَّ بِإِذْنٍ، أَوْ بِإِذْنِهِ ‏

‏ ‏.‏

English translation

Abu Mas’ud said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘The people should be lead by the one who is most well-Versed in recitation of the Book of Allah. If they are equal in recitation, then they should be led by the one who emigrated first. If they are equal in emigration, then they should be led by the eldest. A man should not be led among his family or in his place of authority; no one should be sat in his place of honor in his house without permission, or without his permission.’”

Original Arabic chain wording

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ رَجَاءٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَوْسَ بْنَ ضَمْعَجٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا مَسْعُودٍ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏