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)

Al-Husayn ibn Said from Hammad ibn Isa from Muawiyah ibn Wahb from Abi Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I asked Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام about a man who leads the people in prayer, and you are not pleased with him, in a prayer in which the recitation is done aloud. Imam عليه السلام said: “If you hear the Book of Allah سبحانه وتعالى being recited, then listen to it.” I asked: “But he testifies against me with shirk.” Imam عليه السلام said: “If he disobeys Allah سبحانه وتعالى, then you obey Allah سبحانه وتعالى.” I repeated the question to Imam عليه السلام, but Imam عليه السلام refused to permit me (to recite). Then I asked the Imam عليه السلام: “Shall I then pray in my house and afterward go out to him?” Imam عليه السلام said: “That is up to you.” And Imam عليه السلام said: “Indeed, Imam Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, was in the morning prayer, and Ibn al-Kawwa, who was standing behind him, recited: 'And indeed it has been revealed to you and to those before you: if you associate (others with Allah), your deeds will surely be nullified, and you will certainly be among the losers' (Surah Az-Zumar 39:65) So Imam Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, remained silent out of reverence for the Qur’an until he completed the verse. Then Imam Ali عليه السلام resumed his recitation. Ibn al-Kawwa repeated the verse, and Imam Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, again remained silent. Then Imam عليه السلام recited, and Ibn al-Kawwa repeated it again, so Imam Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, remained silent once more. Then Imam Ali عليه السلام recited: 'So be patient, indeed the promise of Allah سبحانه وتعالى is true, and let not those who are uncertain (in faith) cause you to lose resolve.' (Surah Ar-Rum 30:60). Then Imam Ali عليه السلام completed the surah and bowed (into ruku).”