Authored by: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani حفظه الله
It is narrated in Sunan ad-Daraqutni that:
“Appoint the best among you as your Imam.”
Unlawful spying is explicitly haram in Shari‘ah, and committing a prohibited act, especially by someone in the position of Imam, is wholly unacceptable. Such a person loses the respect of the congregation, and people develop aversion toward him.
The following Hadith should be kept in mind:
Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Three people’s prayers are not raised above their heads even by a hand span:
➀ A man who leads a people in prayer while they dislike him,
➁ A woman who spends the night while her husband is angry with her,
➂ And two brothers who harbor mutual enmity.”
[Ibn Majah, Hadith 971]
This Hadith has been graded Hasan or Sahih by Imam Nawawi, Imam ‘Iraqi, and Al-Busiri, and Shaykh Albani رحمه الله also declared it Hasan based on supporting evidences.
It is essential that the congregation's dislike is not based on sectarian bias or personal prejudice, but rather on valid Islamic grounds.
Shaykh Albani رحمه الله comments:
“The prayer of such an Imam is not elevated because he is not fulfilling the due right of leading the prayer. However, if the congregation’s disapproval is rooted in baseless sectarianism, this Hadith does not apply.”
Hence, if an Imam becomes disliked due to genuine Shar‘i concerns, he is not fulfilling his responsibility, and he loses the right to lead.
🏛 Advice for Masjid Committees:
They should:
✔ Gently advise and correct the Imam regarding his shortcomings,
✔ Help him reform himself with sincerity,
✔ If he persists in misconduct, he should be removed from his position,
✔ And replaced with a trustworthy, righteous person who possesses sound knowledge of Qur'an and Hadith and is also practicing upon it.
❀ Question:
Is a person who spies on his neighbor's house qualified to lead prayers as an Imam? Please clarify in light of the Qur'an and Hadith.✔ Answer:
If the question is accurate and such behavior is confirmed, then a person who spies on others unlawfully is not worthy of leading the prayer. An Imam should be someone of high moral character and integrity.It is narrated in Sunan ad-Daraqutni that:
“Appoint the best among you as your Imam.”
Unlawful spying is explicitly haram in Shari‘ah, and committing a prohibited act, especially by someone in the position of Imam, is wholly unacceptable. Such a person loses the respect of the congregation, and people develop aversion toward him.
The following Hadith should be kept in mind:
Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Three people’s prayers are not raised above their heads even by a hand span:
➀ A man who leads a people in prayer while they dislike him,
➁ A woman who spends the night while her husband is angry with her,
➂ And two brothers who harbor mutual enmity.”
[Ibn Majah, Hadith 971]
This Hadith has been graded Hasan or Sahih by Imam Nawawi, Imam ‘Iraqi, and Al-Busiri, and Shaykh Albani رحمه الله also declared it Hasan based on supporting evidences.
It is essential that the congregation's dislike is not based on sectarian bias or personal prejudice, but rather on valid Islamic grounds.Shaykh Albani رحمه الله comments:
“The prayer of such an Imam is not elevated because he is not fulfilling the due right of leading the prayer. However, if the congregation’s disapproval is rooted in baseless sectarianism, this Hadith does not apply.”
Hence, if an Imam becomes disliked due to genuine Shar‘i concerns, he is not fulfilling his responsibility, and he loses the right to lead.
🏛 Advice for Masjid Committees:
They should:
✔ Gently advise and correct the Imam regarding his shortcomings,
✔ Help him reform himself with sincerity,
✔ If he persists in misconduct, he should be removed from his position,
✔ And replaced with a trustworthy, righteous person who possesses sound knowledge of Qur'an and Hadith and is also practicing upon it.
