① Correcting the Imam (Luqmah) in Prayer
It is obligatory to remind the Imam if he makes a mistake in recitation.
Evidence:
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنهما) reported:
The Prophet ﷺ led the people in prayer and his recitation became confused. When he finished, he asked Ubayy ibn Kaʿb (رضي الله عنه):
“Did you pray with us?”
He replied: “Yes.”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “What prevented you from correcting me?”
(Abū Dāwūd, 907)
Al-Miswar ibn Yazīd (رضي الله عنه) reported:
Once the Prophet ﷺ left out part of the Qur’an during recitation. A man said: “You left such-and-such verse.”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Why didn’t you remind me?”
(Abū Dāwūd, 910 – authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah & Ibn Ḥibbān)
② How Men and Women Correct the Imam
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“If something happens in the prayer, the men should say ‘Subḥānallāh,’ and the women should clap their hands.”
(al-Bukhārī, 684; Muslim, 421)
Ruling:
- Men: Say Subḥānallāh
- Women: Strike one hand on the back of the other hand
③ Women Leading Other Women in Prayer
Women may lead other women in prayer.
Evidence:
Umm Waraqah (رضي الله عنها) was ordered by the Prophet ﷺ:
“Lead the prayer for the members of your household.”
(Abū Dāwūd, 592 – authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah)
Umm al-Muʾminīn Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنها) would lead women in prayer standing in the middle of the row.
(Sunan al-Dāraqutnī, 1/404)
④ A Wall Between Imam and Followers
If a wall or barrier is between the Imam and the congregation, the prayer is still valid.
ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها) said:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed in his chamber (in Ramadan) and the wall was low. People saw him and prayed behind him from outside.”
(al-Bukhārī, 729)
Ruling:
Physical separation like a wall does not invalidate the congregational prayer.
