3476 — Abu Hurayrah said: He used to teach us, saying:

“Do not precede the imam in bowing or prostrating. When he says the takbir, then say the takbir; and when he says, ‘wa la al-dallin’ (nor those who go astray), say, ‘Amin.’ [For if his words coincide with the words of the angels, he will be forgiven] [his past sins]. When he bows, then bow; and when he says, ‘Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah’ (Allah hears whoever praises Him), say, ‘Allahumma Rabbana wa laka al-hamd’ (O Allah, our Lord, to You belongs all praise). [Do not raise yourselves before him]; [and when he prostrates, then prostrate].”

Muslim (2/20), Abu ʿAwanah (2/121), al-Bayhaqi in his Sunan (2/92), and Ahmad (2/440) transmitted it through the route of al-Aʿmash, from Abu Salih, from Abu Hurayrah, who said: ... and then mentioned it.

Muslim alone transmitted it through the route of ʿIsa ibn Yunus: al-Aʿmash narrated to us ...; the wording is his. The other three transmitted it through the route of Muhammad ibn ʿUbayd: al-Aʿmash narrated to us, with this chain. The first addition is Ahmad’s, the second is Abu ʿAwanah’s, and the fifth is al-Bayhaqi’s.

Al-Aʿmash was also corroborated by Sumayy, the client of Abu Bakr, from Abu Salih, with an abbreviated version of it that includes the third addition. Its wording is:

“When the imam says, ‘ghayri al-maghdubi ʿalayhim wa la al-dallin’ (not those upon whom is wrath, nor those who go astray), then say, ‘Amin.’ For whoever’s utterance coincides with that of the angels will be forgiven his past sins.”

Al-Bukhari (782 and 4475), al-Nasa’i (1/147), and others transmitted it.

He was also corroborated by Suhayl ibn Abi Salih, from his father, with a more complete version.

Muslim also transmitted it, as did Abu ʿAwanah (2/144). Both contain the third addition, while Muslim contains the fourth addition.