Question (Q-43)
After the Friday Sermon (Khutbah), should the Imām listen to the Iqāmah standing up or sitting down? Should he stand at حَىَّ عَلى الفَلاح? At which point should the Imām stand when about to lead other Prayers besides Jumu’ah?
Answer:
The Imām may remain stood up at the time when Iqāmah is being recited after the Khutbah of Jumu’ah or he may sit down and wait till حَىَّ عَلى الفَلاح is recited and thereafter stand. He has a choice in this regard. It is stated in a Blessed Hadīth,
المؤذن املک بالإذان والإمام املک بالاقامة هکذا في کنزالعمال الجزء السابع
“The choice of Ādhān is with the Mu’adhin and the choice of Iqāmah is with the Imām.” (Kanz ul ‘Ummāl, Volume 7)
It is stated in Al Fatāwā Ar Ridhwiyyah, Volume 5, Page 419, “If the Imām enters whilst the Iqāmah is still being recited then he does not need to sit down – he should stand at the front and recite Takbīr At Tahrīmah when حَىَّ عَلى الفَلاح has been recited or when the entire Takbīr (Iqāmah) is completed. Similarly, after the Khutbah of Jumu’ah, he has a choice. It is not narrated anywhere that the Prophet (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِه وَ سَلَّمَ) would sit down from the completion of Khutbah until the Iqāmah. The ruling to sit down is for the people – not for the Imām.”
In normal prayers, the Imām and people should stand at حَىَّ عَلى الصلاة or حَىَّ عَلى الفَلاح.
It is in stated in Sharh ul Wiqāyah,
يقوم الإمام والقوم عند حي علي الصلوة
“The Imām and the followers should stand when حَىَّ عَلى الصلاة is recited.”
It is stated in Al Fatāwā Al Hindiyyah,
يقوم الإمام والقوم إذا قال المؤذن حيّ علي الفلاح عند علمائنا الثلٰثة وهو الصحيح
“The Imām and the nation should stand when the Muadhin recites حَىَّ عَلى الفَلاح according to our three Leaders (Al Imām Abū Hanīfah, Al Imām Abū Yūsuf and Al Imām Muhammad رضي الله تَعَالىٰ عنهم) and this is correct.”
If someone enters the Masjid after Iqāmah has commenced, then he should sit down. It is stated in Marāqī Al Falāh,
إذا اخذ المؤذن في الاقامة و دخل رجل المسجد فإنه يقعد ولا ينتظر قائما فإنه مکروه کما في المضمرات و قهستاني و يفهم منه کراهة القيام ابتداء
“When the Muadhin commences the Iqāmah and a man enters the Masjid, he should sit down and he should not wait whilst standing up as that is Makrūh (disliked). This is stated in Al Mudhmarāt and Qahastahānī. It is understood from this that it is Makrūh (disliked) to stand from the beginning.”
As stated by Qahastahānī, it is Makrūh (disliked) to stand at the beginning of Iqāmah. It is forbidden to carry out a Makrūh action in order to participate in a Mustahabb (preferred) action. Therefore, it is disliked to stand up during Iqāmah in order to participate in the First Takbīr.
It is stated in Fath Al Qadīr (Chapter on Timings),
إذا لزم من تحصيل المندوب ارتکاب مکروه ترک
“When carrying out a desirable action leads to the performance of a disliked action, the desirable action is forsaken.”
Allah (تعالى) is Most Knowing.
Written by Muftī Shamsulhudā Khān Misbāhī (Allah preserve him)
