Yet the apparent position of Imam Ahmad’s school is that, in this prayer, Abū Bakr was following the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, while leading the people. Thus, Abū Bakr relayed the Prophet’s words in his capacity as the people’s imam, even though he himself was following the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. As ʿĀ’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said:

“The people followed Abū Bakr, and Abū Bakr followed the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.”

No scholar has mentioned any instance of relaying the imam’s words during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, apart from these two occasions, owing to his illness. When scholars writing on the subject needed evidence that relaying the imam’s words is permissible when necessary, this was the only precedent they had from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. Anyone familiar with his Sunnah knows this with certainty. Scholars agree that relaying the imam’s words without a need is not recommended; indeed, many have explicitly stated that it is disliked.

Some have said that the prayer of someone who does so is invalid. This view is found in the schools of Mālik, Ahmad, and others. As for cases of need, because a worshipper is far from the imam, the imam is weak, or for some other reason, scholars have differed over this practice in such circumstances. The recognized position among Ahmad’s followers is that it is permissible in this situation, and this is the sounder of the two views held by Mālik’s followers. I have been informed that Ahmad withheld judgment on the matter. Where it is permissible and does not invalidate the prayer, it is subject to the condition that it must not compromise any of the obligatory elements of prayer.