Is One Who Mocks Congregational Prayer Eligible to Be an Imām?
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Bāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 158
Question:
If a person is negligent in leading the congregation as an imām, and when advised to be regular in prayer he replies: “I am not some mosque-dweller (always in the mosque),” is such a person eligible to be an imām or not?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
If a person uses such words with the intention of denying the importance of congregational prayer, mocking it, or belittling its value, then such a person is not suitable for the position of imāmah.
If his statement contains:
- Istiḫfāf (belittlement), or
- Istihzāʾ (mockery), or
- The aim of diminishing the status and importance of congregational prayer,
then according to Sharīʿah, such a person is not eligible to serve as an imām.
Hādhā mā ʿindī, wallāhu aʿlam bi-ṣ-ṣawāb.
