Does the imam prostrate in prostration of recitation in a secret prayer or not?
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The questioner : If the imam comes upon a verse of prostration in a secret prayer, does he prostrate with the congregation?
The Shaykh : It is reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he recited in the midday prayer, "Have you not seen the prostration?" and he prostrated. However, there is a concern regarding the authenticity of this hadith. If the hadith were authentic, acting upon it would be clear. But there is a concern regarding its authenticity. For this reason, the Hanbali jurists said: It is disliked for the imam to recite a verse of prostration in a secret prayer, and if he does recite it, it is disliked for him to prostrate in it. They reasoned this by saying: If he recites it and does not prostrate, he has contradicted the Sunnah, because the Sunnah for one who recites a verse of prostration is to prostrate. And if he recites it and prostrates, he causes confusion and disturbance for the believers. Therefore, they said: It is disliked to recite it or to prostrate in it. And praise be to Allah, the Qur'an is abundant apart from the verses containing prostration; he should recite whatever is easy.
The questioner : Your Eminence, the Shaykh.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : No, no, it is in order, my brother. Yes.
The Shaykh : It is reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he recited in the midday prayer, "Have you not seen the prostration?" and he prostrated. However, there is a concern regarding the authenticity of this hadith. If the hadith were authentic, acting upon it would be clear. But there is a concern regarding its authenticity. For this reason, the Hanbali jurists said: It is disliked for the imam to recite a verse of prostration in a secret prayer, and if he does recite it, it is disliked for him to prostrate in it. They reasoned this by saying: If he recites it and does not prostrate, he has contradicted the Sunnah, because the Sunnah for one who recites a verse of prostration is to prostrate. And if he recites it and prostrates, he causes confusion and disturbance for the believers. Therefore, they said: It is disliked to recite it or to prostrate in it. And praise be to Allah, the Qur'an is abundant apart from the verses containing prostration; he should recite whatever is easy.
The questioner : Your Eminence, the Shaykh.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : No, no, it is in order, my brother. Yes.