The Book of Leading the Prayer (Al-Imamah)
10/17. Chapter:
Following those who are following the Imam
Sunan an-Nasai
أَخْبَرَنَا سُوَيْدُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ حَيَّانَ، عَنْ أَبِي نَضْرَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَأَى فِي أَصْحَابِهِ تَأَخُّرًا فَقَالَ " تَقَدَّمُوا فَأْتَمُّوا بِي وَلْيَأْتَمَّ بِكُمْ مَنْ بَعْدَكُمْ وَلاَ يَزَالُ قَوْمٌ يَتَأَخَّرُونَ حَتَّى يُؤَخِّرَهُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ " .
It was narrated from Abu Sa'eed that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saw that his companions tended to stand in the rear, so he said: "Come forward and follow me, and let those who are behind you follow your lead. If people continue to lag behind, Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, will put them back."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 795In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 19English translation : Vol. 1, Book 10, Hadith 796