Islam_in_Focus_text

5. The followers should follow the Imam in his moveme-
nts without anticipating him in any act. Should any follower
supersede the Imam in any movement, this person's Prayer
will become void.
6. The congregational Prayer is not valid unless the
Imam declares his intention that he is acting in the service in
the capacity of Imam. The followers also must declare their
intention that they are following that particular Imam in the
same particular Prayer he is offering.
7. If a person comes after the start of Prayer and joins
the congregation, he must, even if he has missed one unit or
more, follow the Imam. When the Imam completes the
Prayer by uttering the final peace greetings, this late comer
does not join in that, but takes a standing position to make
up for the early units he has missed. When a person joins the
congregation in the bowing position, before rising, he is con-
sidered as having joined from the start of this particular unit.
But if he joins in any position after bowing he has missed
the unit and must make up for it individually right after the
Imam conc ludes the Prayer.
8. Whenever there i s an opportunity for praying in a
congregation, a Muslim should not miss it. Prayer in congre-
gation is a handsome demonstration of unity in purpose and
action, of plural piety and humility before God, of effective
solidarity among Muslims, of public order and mutual re-
sponse.