Chapter on the Rulings of Congregational Prayer (the Minimum Number for Congregational Prayer, the Description of the Imam, Who Is to Be Followed and Who Is Not to Be Followed, Recitation Behind Both of Them, the Rulings of Those Led in Prayer, and Other Such Rulings Related to It)

This was narrated by Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa from al-Husayn ibn Said from Abu Ali, who said: We were with Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, when a man came to Imam عليه السلام and said: “May I be your ransom. We prayed the Fajr prayer in the mosque, and some of us left while others remained seated in tasbih. Then a man entered the mosque and gave the adhan, so we prevented him and pushed him away from doing that.” Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: “You did well. Push him away from that and prevent him with the strongest prevention.” I asked: “If they enter and wish to pray in congregation in it?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Then let them stand in a corner of the mosque, and no imam (of prayer) should step forward among them.” I said to Imam عليه السلام: “May I be your ransom. We have an imam (of prayer) who is opposed (to us), and he hates all of our companions.” Imam عليه السلام said: “What concern do you have for what he says? By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, if you are truthful, then you have more right to the mosque than he does. So be the first to enter and the last to leave, and display good character with the people and speak well.” Then a man asked: “May I be your ransom, the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted: ‘And speak kindly to people’ (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:83), is that meant for all people?” Imam Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, laughed and said: “No, what is meant is, ‘Say: (Prophet) Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace be upon him and his family.’”