Rulings and مسائل of Prayer in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith
Volume 01 – Page 186
❖ Question
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاتهWhat are the rulings regarding Imāmah (leading the prayer)?
❖ Answer (With the Help of al-Wahhāb, Subject to the Authenticity of the Question)
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته!الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
Leading the prayer is a great religious responsibility. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself led the prayers, then the Rightly Guided Caliphs رضي الله عنهم carried this position and fulfilled it in the best manner.
◈ Virtue of Imāmah
Several aḥādīth mention the virtue of Imāmah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:“On the Day of Resurrection, three types of people will be upon mounds of musk; among them will be a man who led his people in prayer and they were pleased with him.”
ref Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī: 1086[/ref]In another narration:
"وله مثل أجر من صلى معه”
“He (the Imām) will receive a reward equal to those who prayed behind him.”
Reference: Sunan al-Nasā’ī: 647
Reference: Musnad Aḥmad: 4/284
Some Companions رضي الله عنهم would request:
"اجْعَلْنِي إِمَامَ قَوْمِي”
“Appoint me as the Imām of my people.”
Reference: Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 531
They did so because they knew the virtue and reward of Imāmah. Unfortunately, today many students hesitate to accept this responsibility due to laziness and lack of eagerness for good deeds. Students of religion are more deserving of Imāmah and other righteous acts.
If a person possesses all qualifications for Imāmah, he is given precedence. If no other qualified person exists, then it becomes obligatory upon him to undertake this responsibility.
◈ Eligibility and Order of Preference in Imāmah
① The Best in Recitation of the Qur’an
The most deserving of Imāmah is the one who recites the Qur’an best, knows the correct pronunciation (makhārij), avoids major errors, and understands the rulings of prayer (conditions, pillars, obligations, nullifiers).The Prophet ﷺ said:
"يَؤُمُّ الْقَوْمَ أَقْرَؤُهُمْ لِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ”
“The one who should lead the people is the one most proficient in the Book of Allah.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 673
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 692
② The Most Knowledgeable in Sunnah
If equal in recitation:"فَإِنْ كَانُوا فِي الْقِرَاءَةِ سَوَاءً فَأَعْلَمُهُمْ بِالسُّنَّةِ”
“If they are equal in recitation, then the one most knowledgeable in the Sunnah.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 673
③ The Earliest in Migration
If equal in knowledge:"فَأَقْدَمُهُمْ هِجْرَةً”
“Then the one who migrated earlier.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 673
Migration refers to leaving disbelief for an Islamic environment.
④ The Eldest in Age
If equal in all above:“The eldest among you should be your Imām.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 628
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 674
Older age is a cause of virtue in Islam.
◈ Comprehensive Evidence
Abū Mas‘ūd al-Badrī رضي الله عنه narrated:"يَؤُمُّ الْقَوْمَ أَقْرَؤُهُمْ لِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ... وَلَا يَؤُمَّنَّ الرَّجُلُ الرَّجُلَ فِي سُلْطَانِهِ...”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 673
Meaning: The most proficient in Qur’an leads; if equal, then the most knowledgeable; if equal, then earliest in migration; if equal, then earliest in Islam or oldest in age. No one should lead another in his authority without permission.
Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله stated that precedence is given to knowledge of Qur’an and Sunnah; if equal, then the one superior in righteous deeds.
Reference: Majmū‘ al-Fatāwā: 23/386
◈ Additional Rights Giving Precedence
① The appointed mosque Imām (if qualified)② The owner of the house (if qualified)
③ The ruler or his deputy (if qualified)
Proof:
"وَلَا يُؤَمُّ الرَّجُلُ فِي سُلْطَانِهِ…”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 673
Reference: Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 582
◈ Status of Imāmah in Islam
Allah says:﴿وَاجعَلنا لِلمُتَّقينَ إِمامًا ﴿٧٤﴾﴾
“And make us leaders for the righteous.”
Reference: Surah al-Furqān: 25:74
﴿وَمَن أَحسَنُ قَولًا مِمَّن دَعا إِلَى اللَّهِ... ﴿٣٣﴾﴾
Reference: Surah Ḥā Mīm al-Sajdah: 41:33
Imāmah in prayer is leadership in religion.
◈ Who Should Not Be Appointed Imām
✔ A Fāsiq (Open Sinner)
A fāsiq—one committing major sins or corrupt in belief—should not be appointed.Allah says:
﴿إِن جاءَكُم فاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنوا﴾
Reference: Surah al-Ḥujurāt: 49:6
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"ولا يؤم فاجر مؤمنا…”
ref Sunan Ibn Mājah: 1081[/ref]✔ One Unable to Perform Prayer Properly
A person unable to perform rukū‘, sujūd, or standing should not lead healthy people, except under specific conditions proven in authentic narrations:
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 688
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 412
✔ One with Continuous Nullification of Wuḍū’
Such a person should not lead healthy individuals unless they share the same excuse.✔ If Imām Prays Without Wuḍū’ Unknowingly
The followers’ prayer remains valid, while the Imām repeats his prayer.Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله mentioned that the Companions would repeat individually without ordering the congregation to repeat.
Reference: Majmū‘ al-Fatāwā: 23/369
✔ One Who Cannot Recite Sūrah al-Fātiḥah Correctly
Major recitation errors invalidate Imāmah except among similar incapable individuals.✔ Imām Disliked by the Majority
The Prophet ﷺ said:“Three people whose prayer does not rise above their ears… and an Imām whom the people dislike.”
Reference: Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī: 360
If disliked for religious weakness (lying, oppression, ignorance, innovation), he should be replaced.
Reference: Majmū‘ al-Fatāwā: 23/373
◈ Responsibilities of the Imām
The Prophet ﷺ said:"إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ…”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 688
He also said:
“When one of you leads the people, let him make it light, for among them are the weak, sick, and elderly.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 703
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 467
And:
“O people, some of you cause aversion…”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 704
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 466
A Companion said:
“I never prayed behind anyone whose prayer was lighter yet more complete than that of the Prophet ﷺ.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 708
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 469
The Imām must balance brevity with completeness, following the Sunnah.
◈ Final Advice
The Imām must observe punctuality and responsibility. Negligence creates resentment and weakens congregational spirit.May Allah grant us deeds beloved and pleasing to Him. Āmīn.
ھذا ما عندي والله اعلم بالصواب
