Prayer is the most important act of religious devotion, it should therefore be observed with dignity, and tranquillity of mind. It would be a pity if only a fraction of the full reward was received due to a badly performed prayer.
In our mosques unfortunately, prayer is observed without due care and attention amongst the congregation (jamaat) resulting in destruction of what would otherwise be a beautiful pattern of worship (bowing and prostrating). People standing irregular, leaving gaps in the rows, and even leading the imam himself are a common occurrence.
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) one day led us in prayer, and when he completed the prayer he turned his face towards us and said: Oh people, I am your imam, so do not precede in bowing and prostrating and in standing and turning (faces i.e., in pronouncing salutation), for I see you in front of me and behind me: and then said: By Him in Whose hand is the life of Muhammad, if you could see what I see, you would have laughed little, and wept much more. They said: What did you see, Messenger of Allah? He replied: (I saw) paradise and hell.
(Saheeh Muslim: Eng Trans: Vol 1 no 857)
Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allah be please with him): The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Isn’t he who raises his head before the imam afraid that Allah may transform his head into that of a donkey, or his figure (face) into that of a donkey?”
(Saheeh Al-Bukhari: Eng Trans Vol 1 no 660)
That one should be vigilant in prayer, and should consciously follow the imam.
Abu Huraira (may Allah be please with him) said: He who raises or lowers his head prior to the imam puts his forehead in the hand of Satan.
(Muwatta: Imaam Malik: no 202)
Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: He Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Straighten your rows, for the straightening of a row is a part of the perfection of prayer.
(Saheeh Muslim: Eng Trans: Vol 1 no 871)
Narrated Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Straighten your rows for I see you behind my back: Anas added: Every one of us used to put his shoulder with the shoulder of his companion, and his foot with the foot of his companion.
(Saheeh Al-Bukhari: Eng Trans: Vol 1 no 692)
Therefore do not steal from your prayers, follow the imaam correctly, and receive the full reward from your jamaat prayer.
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