A word on the importance of the follower following the imam in his prayer.
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The Shaykh : This is an important issue regarding the congregational prayer, in that some followers contradict what the Sunnah prescribes regarding following the imam. You will find one bowing as soon as he hears the word "Allah" before the imam reaches the bowing position, or prostrating as soon as he hears the takbir before the imam reaches the prostration, and this is contrary to what came from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and contrary to what the Companions did with their imam Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). Al-Bara' said: Sahih al-Bukhari 690, and this indicates that the Companions did not rush ahead. In fact, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: Sahih al-Bukhari 691: and this indicates the prohibition, the prohibition of racing ahead of the imam. For this reason, the stronger position is that if a person races ahead of the imam and bows or prostrates before him intentionally, his prayer is not valid, because he did what invalidates it. And if the prayer is invalid, it is obligatory for him to repeat it.
Also, you will find some people raising their heads from the bowing or prostration before their imam raises his head, and this is also forbidden. It is not permissible for you to raise your head until you know that your imam is raising his head, lest this severe warning befall you: that Allah will turn your head into the head of a donkey or make your image the image of a donkey. So be mindful of this issue, and alert your brothers to it.
Likewise, some people, when the imam says the first closing salam, they say it after him, and then when the imam says the second, they say the second, so their first salam is between the imam's two salams. And although this is permissible and does not invalidate the prayer, it is better not to say the salam until the imam has said both salams: the first and the second.
none of us bent his back (for prostration) till the Prophet (ﷺ) prostrated and then we would prostrate after him.
كان النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم يسجد فلا يحن أحد منا ظهره حتى يقع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ساجداً ثم نقع سجوداً بعدهIsn'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?
أما يَخشى الذي يرفع رأسه قبل الإمام أن يجعل الله رأسه رأس حمار ، أو يجعل صورته صورة حمارAlso, you will find some people raising their heads from the bowing or prostration before their imam raises his head, and this is also forbidden. It is not permissible for you to raise your head until you know that your imam is raising his head, lest this severe warning befall you: that Allah will turn your head into the head of a donkey or make your image the image of a donkey. So be mindful of this issue, and alert your brothers to it.
Likewise, some people, when the imam says the first closing salam, they say it after him, and then when the imam says the second, they say the second, so their first salam is between the imam's two salams. And although this is permissible and does not invalidate the prayer, it is better not to say the salam until the imam has said both salams: the first and the second.