It is narrated from Sayyiduna Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "My body has become heavy, so do not go into bowing (ruku‘) or prostration (sajdah) before me. No matter how much earlier I go into bowing than you, when I raise my head from bowing, you will find me. Similarly, no matter how much earlier I go into prostration, before I raise my head, you will find me (in prostration)."

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:“Does any one of you who raises his head before the Imam (in bowing or prostration) not fear that Allah may turn his head into the head of a donkey, or his appearance into the appearance of a donkey?”

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, encouraged the people to perform prayer, and when they performed bowing and prostration behind him in congregation, he forbade them from competing with him, and forbade them from concluding the prayer (saying salam) before him, and said: "I see you from behind me and from in front of me, from every direction."