At what time do we stand for Namaz (prayer) during Akamat (Iqaamah)?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

The scholars differed in opinion as to when people should stand for the prayer when hearing the Iqaamah (the announcement that the prayer is due). Imaam Ash-Shaafi'ee consider that people should stand for prayer when the Mu'athin (the person who calls the Athaan) completely finishes the Iqaamah. While Abu Haneefah said: 'People should stand for prayer when they hear, "Hayya 'Alas-Salah" (Rush to the prayer).' Whereas the Hanbali school, is of the view that people should stand for prayer when they hear "Qad Qaamat As-Salah" (the prayer is established). However, when Imaam Maalik was asked about this, he answered: 'I have not heard any evidence as to when the people should stand for prayer when they hear the Iqaamah. I consider that this is up to the capacity of people as there are among them those who are slow [in moving and standing up - so they should stand up early-] and those who are light [quick in movement - so they can stand up easily and quickly].'

Therefore, the view of Imaam Maalik is closer to the truth, as the Prophet did not specify exactly when people should stand up for the prayer when they hear the Iqaamah. Our righteous predecessors used to stand for the prayer at different times, some stood at the beginning of the Iqaamah and some when they hear "The prayer is established" and some others stood at other times. This is, of course, when the Imaam is present, but when the Imaam is not yet present and the Iqaamah is called, then they should not stand up until they see him; this is the view of the Hanafi, Shaafi'ee and Ahmad schools.

Ibn Qudaamah said: 'If the Iqaamah is called and the Imaam is not in the mosque and people do not know that he had come forward, then they should not stand [until they see him].' The evidence about this is the saying of the Prophet : "If the Iqaamah is called, do not stand up until you see me." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] The narration of Imaam Al-Bukhari contains the following:  "…until you see that I came forward."

When 'Ali was the Caliph he saw people standing waiting for him for the prayer, so he told them: 'Why are you standing like that?'

Allaah knows best.