Sayyiduna Abu Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The people should be led in prayer by the one who knows the most Qur'an. If they are equal in the Qur'an, then the one who emigrated first. If they are equal in emigration, then the one with the most fiqh (understanding of the religion). And if they are equal in fiqh as well, then the one who is oldest in age." Imam Muslim recorded it, but did not mention the words 'afqahuhum fiqhan' (the one with the most understanding of the religion) in it, which is a rare addition with this sahih chain.

Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Amr (Abu Mas'ud) (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The people should be led in prayer by the one who emigrated first. If they are equal in emigration, then the one with more understanding of the religion. If they are equal in the religion, then the one who is the better reciter of the Qur'an. No man should lead another in prayer in his domain (his house or place of authority), nor sit in his place of honour (his special seat) without his permission."