Is this narration authentic?
إن الرجلين ليقومان في الصلاة وركوعهما وسجودهما واحد وإن ما بين صلاتهما كما بين السماء والأرض
Answer
‘Allamah ‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) has declared this narration a fabrication as the chain consists of a fabricator.
(Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar: 379. Also see: Al Masnu’, Hadith: 461)
The narration in question is therefore not suitable to quote as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
A similar narration has been recorded as the statement of Hassan ibn ‘Atiyyah (rahimahullah), a Tabi’i. This version is suitable to quote. See here
Translation
Two men will be together offering one Salah, their ruku’ and sajdah are the same, but the difference between their Salah is that of between the sky and earth [due to the lack of concentration of one of them].
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar