It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Darda that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Everything has a beginning, and the beginning of prayer is the first Takbeer, so adhere to it." Abu Ubaid says: I narrated this hadith to Raja bin Haywah, and he said that Hazrat Umm Darda had narrated it to me from Hazrat Abu Darda in the same way.

3150 - Abu Ubaid said: I narrated it to Raja’ bin Haywah, and he said: Umm al-Darda’ narrated it to me (from Abu al-Darda’) (1) (2).

Some elders of Banu Rasib narrate that Hazrat Talha and Hazrat Zubair performed prayer in our mosque. There was no imam present, so we said to them, "One of you should step forward and lead the prayer, because you are among the companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him." Both of them refused to lead and said, "Where is the imam? Where is the imam?" Meanwhile, the imam arrived and led the people in prayer. When the prayer was finished, both of them said, "Every act of your prayer is correct, but there is one thing that is not good." We asked, "What is that?" They replied, "When the imam says salam (ends the prayer), the followers should not stand up until the imam turns his face or gets up from his place."

Hazrat Mughira and Ibrahim say that the worshipper should not complete his prayer until the Imam has turned his face.

Hazrat Anas bin Sirin says that I asked Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that sometimes I miss some part of the prayer with the congregation. In such a case, when the Imam says salam, should I stand up and complete the missed part of the prayer, or should I wait for the Imam to turn his face? Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) replied that when the Imam says salam, stand up and complete your prayer. Hazrat Khalid says that as soon as the Imam said salam, he would immediately turn his face as well. It was as if saying salam and turning the face used to happen together.

Hazrat Mak'hool was asked about a person who has missed one or two rak'ahs, so he replied that he should not stand up until the Imam, after saying salam, either turns his face or stands up.

Hazrat Sha'bi was asked: If the Imam does not turn his face after saying salam, what should be done? He replied: Wait for him until he is finished with the innovation. Hazrat Sha'bi considered it disliked for a person to stand up and start praying before the Imam has turned his face.

Hazrat Abdullah says that when the Imam says salam (ends the prayer), then stand up and do whatever you wish. Do not wait for him to get up or change his place.

Hazrat Nafi' states that Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) used to complete the remaining prayer and did not wait for the Imam to stand up. Hazrat Qasim and Hazrat Salim also used to do the same.

Hazrat Abu Haroon says that once I performed prayer in Madinah Munawwarah, and I missed a part of the congregational prayer. When the Imam finished the prayer with salam, I stood up to complete the remaining part of my prayer. Meanwhile, a man standing next to me pulled me forcefully and said that you should not stand up until the Imam turns his face. I mentioned this incident to Hazrat Abu Saeed, and he did not consider my action to be objectionable at all.