◈ The Leadership in Salah by a Blind Person or a Slave ◈
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
The Imamate (leadership in prayer) of a blind person or a slave is permissible and valid, as established by the following evidences:
Ḥaḍrat Ibn Umm Maktūm رضي الله عنه was appointed as the governor of Madinah by the Prophet ﷺ, and he used to lead the people in prayer despite being blind.
Reference:
[Ḥasan: Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 555, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh: Bāb Imāmat al-Aʿmā, Abū Dāwūd: 595, Aḥmad: 3/132]
The slave of Ḥaḍrat ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنهما, Dhakwān, used to lead her in prayer.
Reference:
[Bukhārī Taʿlīqan: 692, Kitāb al-Adhān: Bāb Imāmat al-ʿAbd wa al-Mawlá]
Both blind individuals and slaves are permitted to lead Salah, based on authentic precedents from the time of the Prophet ﷺ and the noble Companions.
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
❀ Ruling on the Imamate of a Blind Person and a Slave
The Imamate (leadership in prayer) of a blind person or a slave is permissible and valid, as established by the following evidences:
➊ Imamate of a Blind Person
Ḥaḍrat Ibn Umm Maktūm رضي الله عنه was appointed as the governor of Madinah by the Prophet ﷺ, and he used to lead the people in prayer despite being blind.
Reference:
[Ḥasan: Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 555, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh: Bāb Imāmat al-Aʿmā, Abū Dāwūd: 595, Aḥmad: 3/132]
➋ Imamate of a Slave
The slave of Ḥaḍrat ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنهما, Dhakwān, used to lead her in prayer.
Reference:
[Bukhārī Taʿlīqan: 692, Kitāb al-Adhān: Bāb Imāmat al-ʿAbd wa al-Mawlá]
Conclusion:
Both blind individuals and slaves are permitted to lead Salah, based on authentic precedents from the time of the Prophet ﷺ and the noble Companions.