Yet this is an issue about which some worshippers are either lax or deliberately heedless: they rush ahead of the imam, expose themselves to a stern warning, and there is even concern that their prayer may not be valid.

Muslim relates that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do not precede me in bowing, prostrating, or in leaving (the prayer).”

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said, “Racing ahead of the imam is forbidden by unanimous agreement of the scholars. No one may bow before his imam, rise before him, or prostrate before him; numerous hadiths from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, clearly prohibit this.”

Getting ahead of the imam is nothing but a stratagem of Satan with which he toys with certain worshippers so that he can ruin their prayer. After all, what does the one who races ahead gain? He cannot leave the prayer until the imam himself has given the closing salām!

Therefore the Muslim must be alert to this matter and abide by the rules of following the imam.

We ask Allah to grant everyone understanding of His religion and insight into His rulings. He is the All-Hearing, the One who responds. For whomever Allah wills good, He grants deep understanding of the religion.