His statement, “in cases other than this,” means: other than a silent prayer—that is, in an audible prayer. It is understood from his words, may Allah have mercy on him, that the follower is not required to follow the imam in a silent prayer. Thus, if the imam recites a verse of prostration in a silent prayer, such as Dhuhr or Asr, and then prostrates, the follower is not required to follow him.

They reasoned that the imam has done something disliked, and therefore he is not to be followed.

But the correct view is that the follower must follow him, even in a silent prayer. This is because, when the imam prostrates, the general meaning of the Prophet’s statement, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, “When he prostrates, then prostrate,” (1) includes this prostration. Moreover, this prostration does not invalidate the imam’s prayer, for the most that can be said of it, according to the jurists, is that it is disliked.

The correct view, however, is that it is not disliked. He should prostrate, and in that case the follower must follow him, in accordance with the general meaning of the Prophet’s statement, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: “When he prostrates, then prostrate.”

PROSTRATION OF GRATITUDE IS RECOMMENDED WHEN BLESSINGS ARE RENEWED, ………

His statement, “is recommended”: when the scholars say, “It is recommended” or “It is sunnah,” its ruling is that the one who does it in compliance is rewarded, while the one who leaves it is not punished. Thus, if you perform the prostration of gratitude, you will be rewarded; and if you leave it, you will not be sinful.

His statement, “the prostration of gratitude”: this construction is one in which a thing is attributed to its type, just as one says, “an iron ring,” because this prostration is a type of gratitude.

Gratitude, in its original sense, is to acknowledge blessings with the tongue and to affirm