Sayyiduna Abu Mas’ud Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The one who should lead the people in prayer is the one among them who has the most knowledge of Allah’s Book. If they are equal in recitation, then the one who has the most knowledge of the Sunnah. If they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then the one who migrated earlier. If they are equal in migration, then the one who is older in age. Do not lead in prayer in the place of authority of another person, nor sit in his special seat in his house, unless he gives permission.”