1468. When a follower makes his intention for congregational prayer, he should specify the imam he intends to follow in congregation; however, it is not necessary for him to know his name. For example, if he makes the intention that he is going follow the present imam in congregational prayer, his prayer will be valid.
1469. Other than sÙrat al-FÁtiÎah and the second sÙrah, the follower must recite all the other components of prayer himself. However, if the first or second rak‘ah of the follower is the third or fourth rak‘ah of the imam, he should recite sÙrat al-FátiÎah and the second sÙrah as well.
1470. If a follower is able to hear the imam reciting sÙrat al-FÁtiÎah and the second sÙrah—even if he is unable to distinguish the words—in the first or second rak‘ah of the morning, maghrib or ishÁ prayers, he should not recite sÙrat al-FátiÎah and the second sÙrah himself. However, if he is unable to hear the imam reciting, it is recommended for him to recite them himself, without making the intention of his recitation being a component of his prayer. He should recite them in a low voice. There is no problem however, if he inadvertently recites it aloud.
1471. If a follower is only able to hear some of the imam’s recitation of sÙrat al-FÁtiÎah or the second sÙrah, he may recite what he cannot hear. Recommended precaution however dictates, that he should not recite anything.
1472. If a follower inadvertently recites sÙrat al-FÁtiÎah or the second sÙrah, or recites it under the impression that the sound he hears is not the imam’s recitation, and later realizes that it was in fact the imam’s recitation, his prayer will be valid.
1473. If a follower doubts whether he can hear the imam’s recitation or not, or if he can hear a sound, but is unable to determine whether it is the recitation of the imam or not, he may recite sÙrat al-FÁtiÎah and the second sÙrah.
1474. A follower should not recite sÙrat al-FÁtiÎah or the second sÙrah in the first two rak‘ah of Ûuhr and ‘aÒr prayers. It is recommended for him to recite dhikr in lieu of them.
1475. A follower should not recite takbÐrat al-ihram before the imam. In fact, obligatory precaution dictates that he should not recite it until the imam has completed his takbÐrat al-ihram.
1476. If a follower inadvertently recites salÁm before the imam, his prayer will be valid. In fact, his prayer will be valid even if he deliberately recites his salÁm before the imam, provided he did not intend to break away from the congregational prayer from the beginning.
1477. If a follower recites parts other than takbÐrat al-ihram before the imam, his prayer will be valid. However, if he hears them from the imam, or knows when the imam will recite them, recommended precaution dictates that he should not recite them before the imam.
1478. Besides what is recited in prayer, in actions such as rukÙ and sujÙd, a follower should perform them along with the imam, or shortly after him. If a person deliberately precedes the imam, or delays it for a period after him, his congregational prayer will be invalid. However, if he had observed the obligations for an individual prayer, his prayer will be valid.
1479. If a follower inadvertently raises his head from rukÙ prior to the imam, he should return to rukÙ if the imam is still in rukÙ, and rise from the rukÙ with the imam. The additional rukÙ in such an event will not invalidate prayer. However, if he returns to rukÙ and before he can reach the rukÙ the imam raises his head from it, his prayer will be invalid.
1480. If a follower mistakenly raises his head and observes that the imam is still in sujÙd, he should return to join the imam in sujÙd. The additional sujÙds will not invalidate his prayer even if this occurs in both sujÙd.
1481. If a follower mistakenly raises his head from sujÙd before the imam, he should return to join the imam in sujÙd. If while returning to join the imam in sujÙd, the imam raises his head from it prior to him reaching the position of sujÙd, his prayer will be valid. However, if this occurs in both sujÙd, his prayer will be invalid.
1482. If a follower mistakenly raises his head from rukÙ or sujÙd before the imam, and he does not return to join the imam either inadvertently or under the impression that he will not reach him, his congregation and prayer will be deemed valid.
1483. If a follower raises his head from sujÙd, and observes that the imam is in sujÙd, and he returns to the sujÙd under the impression that it is the first sujÙd of the imam and with the intention of prostrating with him, but after proceeding to sujÙd, he realizes it was the second sujÙd of the imam, it will be considered his second sujÙd. However, if under the impression that it is the second sujÙd of the imam, he returns to sujÙd, and then realizes it was in fact the first sujÙd of the imam, he should complete that sujÙd with the intention of completing sujÙd with the imam, and then perform the second sujÙd with the imam as well. Recommended precaution dictates that in both cases, one should repeat his prayer after completing it in congregation.
1484. If a follower inadvertently proceeds to rukÙ before the imam, and his position is such that if he raises his head from rukÙ, he will reach a portion of the imam’s qirÁÞah, his congregation and prayer shall be valid if he raises his head from rukÙ, and proceeds to rukÙ with the imam. However, if he deliberately does not return, to claim the validity of his prayer is problematic.
1485 If a follower inadvertently proceeds to rukÙ before the imam, and his position is such that if he raises his head from rukÙ, he will not be able to reach anything of the imam’s qirÁÞah, his congregation and prayer shall be valid if he raises his head from rukÙ and proceeds to rukÙ with the imam with the intention of following the imam. However, if he remains in rukÙ, waiting for the imam to proceed to rukÙ, his prayer will be valid; but his congregational prayer will be problematic.
1486. If a follower inadvertently proceeds to sujÙd before the imam, and he raises his head from sujÙd and then returns to sujÙd with the imam with the intention of following the imam, both his prayer and congregational prayer will be valid. However, if he remains in sujÙd, waiting for the imam to proceeds to sujÙd, his prayer will be valid; however, his congregational prayer will be problematic.
1487. If an imam mistakenly engages in reciting qunÙt in a rak‘ah that does not have qunÙt, or mistakenly engages in reciting tashahhud in a rak‘ah that does have tashahhud, the follower should not join the imam in his inopportune qunÙt or tashahhud. However, he should not proceed to rukÙ before the imam or stand up before the imam. He should wait until the imam has completed his qunÙt or tashahhud, and then complete the remaining parts of prayer with him.
