I say: The two reports may be reconciled in another way: by adopting the additional wording found in one of them and incorporating it into the other. This is the wording in Sa‘id’s report: “When the imam says Amin, then say Amin.” This addition may be incorporated into Abu Salih’s report, so that the hadith reads: “When the imam says, ‘nor of those who go astray’—Amin—then say Amin.” This reconciliation is preferable to the one mentioned above, for several reasons.

First, it conforms to this explicit narration of Abu Ya‘la. Second, it accords with the principles of hadith: the additional wording transmitted by a trustworthy narrator must be accepted. Third, it spares us from departing from the basic presumption to which Ibn Daqiq al-‘Id referred. Fourth, it is analogous in form to the Prophet’s saying, peace and blessings be upon him: “When the imam says, ‘Allah hears whoever praises Him,’ then say, ‘O Allah, our Lord, to You belongs all praise,’ for whoever’s words coincide with the words of the angels will have his past sins forgiven.” Al-Bukhari and Muslim, as well as others, narrated it from Abu Hurayrah as well. It is also cited in Sahih Abi Dawud (794). Thus, just as this is explicit that the congregant says the tahmid after the imam has said, “Allah hears whoever praises Him,” likewise, “When he says Amin, then say Amin,” is explicit that the congregant’s Amin comes after the imam’s Amin.

Fifth, this accords with the pattern of following the imam, as understood from such statements of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as: “The imam has only been appointed to be followed. So when he says the takbir, say the takbir [and do not say the takbir until he has said it]; when he bows, then bow; and when he says, ‘Allah hears whoever praises Him,’ then say: ...” the hadith. Al-Bukhari and Muslim, as well as others, narrated it from A’ishah, Abu Hurayrah, and others. It is cited in the aforementioned source (614 and 618), and the addition is Abu Dawud’s. Thus, just as the hadith indicates that one requirement of following the imam is not to say the takbir simultaneously with him, and whatever is mentioned along with it