Hazrat Khams says that I prayed with Hazrat Abu Qilabah; he would not perform any action until the Imam did it first.

Hazrat Bara bin Azib narrates that when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would raise his head from bowing (ruku‘), none of us would bend our backs (for prostration) until he (the Prophet) had gone into prostration (sajdah). When he performed prostration, we would also follow him.

Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that one day the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led us in prayer. When he finished the prayer, he turned his blessed face towards us and said: O people! I am your imam, so do not go ahead of me in bowing, prostration, standing, or salutation. I see you both in front of me and behind me.

Ibn Aun reports that Muhammad considered it undesirable for anyone to say a takbeer before the imam.

Hazrat Hattan bin Abdullah narrates that Hazrat Abu Musa led us in prayer. When he finished the prayer, he said that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered a sermon to us, in which he explained the religion to us and taught us how to pray. In it, he said: When the Imam says the takbeer, you should also say the takbeer. When the Imam bows (for ruku), you should also bow. Because the Imam bows before you and raises his head before you.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) bin Mudrik narrates that when Hazrat Mu'adh came to Yemen, he taught the people there knowledge and said, "You must pray in the same way as I pray." So, when he was about to go into prostration, a branch of a tree struck his eye. He broke off that branch, and then all the people rushed to the tree and began breaking its branches. When Hazrat Mu'adh completed the prayer, he said, "I broke the branch because it caused me discomfort when I was going into prostration. However, the obedience you have shown is commendable."

Hazrat Nafi' bin Jubair bin Mut'im narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Due to old age, the flesh of my body has increased, so do not go ahead of me in standing (qiyam) and prostration (sajdah).

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that during the illness of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) which led to his passing, Hazrat Bilal came to inform him about the prayer. The Prophet said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer." We said, "O Messenger of Allah! Abu Bakr is a soft-hearted and tender-hearted man; if he stands in your place, he will not be able to bear it and will start weeping. It would be better if you instruct Umar to lead the prayer." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer. You are like the women who were present with Yusuf." So Abu Bakr was sent the message, and he led the people in prayer. After a while, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) felt some relief in his blessed body, so he went for the prayer supported by two men. At that time, both of his feet were dragging on the ground. When Abu Bakr sensed the arrival of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he began to step back. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gestured to him to remain in his place. Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sat beside Abu Bakr, Abu Bakr followed the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and the people followed Abu Bakr.

Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that during the illness of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) passing, Hazrat Bilal came to inform the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about the prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,“O Bilal! You have conveyed the message, now whoever wishes may perform the prayer and whoever wishes may leave it.”He said,“O Messenger of Allah! Then who will lead the people in prayer?”The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,“Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.”When Hazrat Abu Bakr stepped forward to lead the prayer, the curtains of the blessed chamber of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) were lifted, and he came out in such a way that his blessed face was shining like a piece of silver. He was wearing a black cloak. When Hazrat Abu Bakr saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he thought perhaps the Prophet wished to come forward, so he stepped back from the prayer mat. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gestured to him to continue leading the prayer. Thus, Hazrat Abu Bakr led the people in prayer. After that, we did not see the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and on that very day, he passed away.

Hazrat Abu Musa narrates that during the final illness of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when his illness became severe, he said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer." Upon this, Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said, "He is a soft-hearted man; when he stands in your place, he will not be able to lead the people in prayer." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer; you are like the women of Yusuf." Thus, Hazrat Abu Bakr led the people in prayer during the blessed life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).