Following the Imam in the Sunnahs He Does Not Perform

Question:
If the imam omits some of the Sunnahs of the prayer, such as raising the hands at the takbir or moving the fingers during the tashahhud, then the ma'mum should not follow him in that, due to the generality of the hadith: "The imam is appointed to be followed."

Answer:
No, no, he does not follow. If the imam does not raise his hands at the takbir, the ma'mum raises his hands and acts according to the Sunnah. If the imam does not raise his index finger during the tashahhud, the ma'mum acts according to the Sunnah and raises his index finger. There is no contradiction with the imam in this. If the imam does not fold his hands over his chest while standing, meaning some people let their hands hang down, the ma'mum does not follow the imam in that; he raises his hands, folds his hands, and acts according to the Sunnah. This does not affect following the imam.