Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 225
"اِجْعَلُوْا أَئِمَّتَكُمْ خِيَارَكُمْ"
(Dārquṭnī)
Translation: "Appoint the best among you as your Imams."
Likewise, during his final illness, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ appointed Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq (رضي الله عنه) to lead the prayer, as the Prophet ﷺ was unable to fully perform the acts of prayer due to illness.
✔ In case of necessity and absence of another Imam, Zaid may lead the prayer, but a healthy Imam should be given preference.
◈ Al-Iʿtiṣām, Volume 7, Issue No. 43 (Mawlānā ʿAbd al-Jabbār Khandēlawī)
❖ Question
Zaid is a sick and disabled individual who is unable to stand, sit properly in Tashahhud, or perform Sujood. Can such a person be appointed as an Imam? And will the prayer behind Zaid be valid? It should be noted that Zaid is a scholar, pious, and righteous.❖ Answer
If Zaid is a scholar and pious, and has previously served as the Imam of a mosque, then due to a Sharʿī necessity, he may lead the prayer. However, if there is another pious and knowledgeable person who is physically fit and capable of performing all the pillars of prayer (such as Rukūʿ, Sujood, etc.) correctly, then it is preferable to appoint that person as the Imam.❖The Importance of Rukūʿ and Sujood
Rukūʿ and Sujood are essential pillars of the prayer. If a person is unable to perform these pillars, then in the presence of a physically sound Imam, such a person should not be appointed as Imam. It is mentioned in the Hadith:"اِجْعَلُوْا أَئِمَّتَكُمْ خِيَارَكُمْ"
(Dārquṭnī)
Translation: "Appoint the best among you as your Imams."
Likewise, during his final illness, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ appointed Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq (رضي الله عنه) to lead the prayer, as the Prophet ﷺ was unable to fully perform the acts of prayer due to illness.
❖ Zaid’s Condition
Since Zaid cannot properly perform Sujood and Tashahhud, he is incapable of fulfilling the obligations of the prayer. Therefore, it is preferable for Zaid to appoint a healthy and knowledgeable person as his deputy Imam so that all the acts of prayer are performed correctly.❖ Summary
✔ If Zaid is unable to perform the pillars of prayer (Rukūʿ, Sujood, Tashahhud) due to disability, then it is preferable that another physically capable person leads the prayer.✔ In case of necessity and absence of another Imam, Zaid may lead the prayer, but a healthy Imam should be given preference.
❖ References
◈ Ḥadīth from Dārquṭnī◈ Al-Iʿtiṣām, Volume 7, Issue No. 43 (Mawlānā ʿAbd al-Jabbār Khandēlawī)
