Source: Fatawa ‘Ulama-e-Hadith, Kitab al-Salah, Volume 1, Pages 221–222
However, if the boy:
① Did not approve of or participate in these rituals,
② Tried to oppose them but was overruled by his parents or community,
then this reflects a personal shortcoming, not a disqualification for Imamate. In such a case, if he repents sincerely and reforms his actions, he may become eligible to lead the prayer, as the Hadith states:
"التائب من الذنب كمن لا ذنب له"
(Translation: One who repents from sin is like one who has never sinned.)
Reference:
❀ Question:
A boy’s parents arranged his marriage with customary innovative rituals (bid‘ah) such as singing "sehra" and playing music. Later, this boy was appointed as an Imam. Is he eligible to lead prayer?✔ Ruling:
Practices like singing sehra and engaging in musical festivities during marriage are considered forbidden innovations (bid‘ah) in Islam. If a person participates in such rituals and deems them permissible, he is regarded as a fasiq (open sinner) or innovator, and not eligible to lead prayer.However, if the boy:
① Did not approve of or participate in these rituals,
② Tried to oppose them but was overruled by his parents or community,
then this reflects a personal shortcoming, not a disqualification for Imamate. In such a case, if he repents sincerely and reforms his actions, he may become eligible to lead the prayer, as the Hadith states:
"التائب من الذنب كمن لا ذنب له"
(Translation: One who repents from sin is like one who has never sinned.)
Reference:
- Abu Sa‘id Sharaf al-Din, Director, Madrasa Sa‘idiyyah, Delhi
