Ruling on Praying Behind an Innovator or Grave-Worshipping Imam
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, vol. 1, p. 430
❖ The Question
Is it permissible to pray behind an imam who is a grave-worshipper (qabr-parast) or an innovator (bidʿatī)?
❖ The Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
It is not permissible, according to Sharīʿah, to appoint as imam a person who practices innovations or engages in grave-worship.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
((إجعلوا أئمتكم خياركم، فإنهم وفدكم فيما بينكم وبين ربكم))
“Appoint the best among you as your imams, for they are your representatives between you and your Lord.”
(Reported by al-Dāraqutnī; Nayl al-Awṭār, Bāb: Mā Jāʾa fī Imāmat al-Fāsiq, vol. 3, p. 184)
❖ Explanation
- An imam acts as the representative of the congregation before Allah.
- Therefore, only a Muslim of sound creed and righteous practice can serve as imam.
- A person of innovation or one involved in grave-worship is not fit for imāmah.
هٰذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
