Source: Fatawa ‘Ulama-e-Hadith, Kitab al-Salah, Volume 1, Pages 212–214
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) appointed Ibn Umm Maktum (رضي الله عنه), who was blind, as his deputy in Madinah, and he used to lead the prayer.
(Reported by Abu Dawud, Mishkat)
② Narrated by ‘Itban ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه):
He, being blind, led his tribe in prayer.
(Reported by Bukhari, Nasa’i)
③ Shaykh ‘Abd al-Haqq Muhaddith Dehlawi (رحمه الله) also clarified that blind individuals have led prayers multiple times and there is no legal objection against this.
Narrated by ‘Amr ibn Salamah (رضي الله عنه):
“My people appointed me as their Imam while I was a young boy because I knew the Qur’an more than anyone else among them.”
(Reported by Abu Dawud)
◈ Likewise, the leadership of a young, prepubescent boy who is a memorizer of the Qur’an and possesses understanding is permissible, especially in voluntary (nafl) prayers.
Reference: Fatawa Nazīriyyah, Volume 1, Page 318
❀ Question:
Is it legally permissible in Islamic law to pray behind a blind person or a young boy?✔ Ruling Regarding a Blind Person Leading Prayer:
It is legally permissible for a blind person to lead the prayer, as blindness is a natural defect, not a legal defect for which a person can be blamed. Islamic prohibition pertains to such deficiencies that result from one's own actions, not from natural causes. Therefore, there is no legal restriction on a blind person's leadership in prayer, as long as no explicit Shar‘i evidence exists rendering such prayer disliked.✿ Evidences from Hadith:
① Narrated by Anas (رضي الله عنه):The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) appointed Ibn Umm Maktum (رضي الله عنه), who was blind, as his deputy in Madinah, and he used to lead the prayer.
(Reported by Abu Dawud, Mishkat)
② Narrated by ‘Itban ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه):
He, being blind, led his tribe in prayer.
(Reported by Bukhari, Nasa’i)
③ Shaykh ‘Abd al-Haqq Muhaddith Dehlawi (رحمه الله) also clarified that blind individuals have led prayers multiple times and there is no legal objection against this.
❀ Hanafi View:
In Hanafi jurisprudence, some scholars have deemed it disliked (makruh) for a blind person to lead the prayer, basing their opinion on the assumption that a blind person might not avoid impurity (najasah). However, this reasoning is not universally accepted, as avoiding impurity is obligatory upon every Muslim, whether sighted or blind. If a blind person avoids impurity and adheres to Shar‘i rulings, then his leadership in prayer is valid and permissible.✔ Ruling Regarding a Young Boy Leading Prayer:
Hadith evidence confirms the permissibility of a young boy leading prayer, provided that he is a memorizer of the Qur’an and possesses understanding.Narrated by ‘Amr ibn Salamah (رضي الله عنه):
“My people appointed me as their Imam while I was a young boy because I knew the Qur’an more than anyone else among them.”
(Reported by Abu Dawud)
✿ Conclusion:
◈ The leadership of a blind person in prayer is legally valid, provided that he maintains ritual purity and complies with other Islamic rulings.◈ Likewise, the leadership of a young, prepubescent boy who is a memorizer of the Qur’an and possesses understanding is permissible, especially in voluntary (nafl) prayers.
Reference: Fatawa Nazīriyyah, Volume 1, Page 318
