Praise be to Allaah.
The matter is broad in scope and a person may stand up at the
beginning of the iqaamah or in the middle of it or after it finishes. The
majority of scholars are of the view that if the imam is in the mosque, they
should not stand up until the iqaamah ends.
Imam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in
al-Muwatta’: With regard to people standing up when the iqaamah for
prayer is given, I have not heard anything definitive concerning that, but I
think it depends on what the people are able to do, because there are heavy
and light ones among them and they are not all able to stand up at the same
time. End quote.
Al-Haafiz said in al-Fath: The majority are of the
view that if the imam is with them in the mosque, they should not stand up
until the iqaamah ends. It was narrated that Anas used to stand up when the
muezzin said “Qad qaamat il-salaah (prayer is about to begin)”;
narrated by Ibn al-Mundhir and others. It was also narrated by Sa’eed ibn
Mansoor via Abu Ishaaq that the companions of ‘Abd-Allaah (i.e., Ibn
Mas’ood, may Allaah be pleased with him) also did that. It was narrated that
Sa’eed ibn al-Musayyib said: When the muezzin says “Allaahu akbar” one must
stand up. When he says “Hayya ‘ala al-‘salaah (come to prayer), the
rows should be straightened, and when he says “Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah” the
imam should say takbeer (to start the prayer). But if the imam is not in the
mosque, the majority are of the view that they should not stand up until
they see him. End quote.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was
asked: Is there any mention in the Sunnah of a specific point in the iqaamah
when people should stand up for the prayer?
He replied: There is no mention in the Sunnah of a specific
point in the iqaamah when people should stand up for the prayer, but the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not stand
up until you see me.” Agreed upon. If a person stands up at the beginning of
the iqaamah or during it or when it ends, all of that is permissible. End
quote from Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (13/16).
And Allaah knows best.