❖ Question:
Is it permissible to perform salah behind someone who believes that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is present and witnessing everywhere, attends gatherings, sees us, and holds similar beliefs?
All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
Whoever holds beliefs that contradict the Qur’an and Sunnah, the ruling on praying behind him depends upon the nature and severity of his beliefs.
…then such a person may fall into clear disbelief (kufr) or severe misguidance depending on his understanding and persistence.
“Anyone whose beliefs contradict the Qur’an and Sunnah, and who is engaged in shirk and bid‘ah, it is not permissible to pray behind him.”
﴿إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُم مَيِّتُونَ﴾
“Indeed, you (O Prophet) will die, and indeed, they too will die.”
(Al-Zumar: 30)
﴿وَأَنَّ ٱلْمَسَـٰجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَدًۭا﴾
“And indeed, the mosques belong to Allah, so do not invoke anyone alongside Allah.”
(Al-Jinn: 18)
These verses make it clear that the Prophet ﷺ is not present in the world, and only Allah is to be called upon—not the Prophet ﷺ nor any saints or righteous individuals.
﴿وَأَعْتَزِلُكُمْ وَمَا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ﴾
“I will dissociate myself from you and from whatever you invoke besides Allah.”
(Maryam: 48)
❶ Praying behind an imam who holds deviant, shirk-based beliefs is impermissible.
❷ If the imam is unaware, he should be advised kindly and wisely.
❸ Muslims are advised to avoid praying behind such individuals, and instead attend mosques of Ahl al-Sunnah.
❹ Only Qur’an, Sunnah, and the consensus of the righteous predecessors are to be followed in matters of belief and worship.
وَاللهُ أَعلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
May Allah grant us understanding and guide us to the straight path.
Is it permissible to perform salah behind someone who believes that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is present and witnessing everywhere, attends gatherings, sees us, and holds similar beliefs?
❀ Answer:
All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
Whoever holds beliefs that contradict the Qur’an and Sunnah, the ruling on praying behind him depends upon the nature and severity of his beliefs.
❖ If a person holds the following beliefs:
- That the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is omnipresent, attending gatherings and seeing us
- That he is alive in this world, and hears our supplications
- That needs can be fulfilled through the deceased and saints
- That it is permissible to light lamps on graves or perform salah near them
- That calling out “Yā Rasūl Allāh” or “Yā Muḥammad” is a legislated practice
…then such a person may fall into clear disbelief (kufr) or severe misguidance depending on his understanding and persistence.
Fatāwā al-Lajnah al-Dā’imah (2/284) states:
“Anyone whose beliefs contradict the Qur’an and Sunnah, and who is engaged in shirk and bid‘ah, it is not permissible to pray behind him.”
Qur’anic Evidence:
﴿إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُم مَيِّتُونَ﴾
“Indeed, you (O Prophet) will die, and indeed, they too will die.”
(Al-Zumar: 30)
﴿وَأَنَّ ٱلْمَسَـٰجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَدًۭا﴾
“And indeed, the mosques belong to Allah, so do not invoke anyone alongside Allah.”
(Al-Jinn: 18)
These verses make it clear that the Prophet ﷺ is not present in the world, and only Allah is to be called upon—not the Prophet ﷺ nor any saints or righteous individuals.
❖ Ruling on Praying Behind Such an Imam:
- If an imam believes in such deviations, such as ḥāḍir-nāẓir, or seeks help from graves and saints, then it is not permissible to perform salah behind him.
- If the imam abandons these innovations and adheres to Qur’an and Sunnah, then salah behind him is valid.
- If the imam holds such beliefs out of ignorance, then he should be gently advised and educated with wisdom.
Allah says:
﴿وَأَعْتَزِلُكُمْ وَمَا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ﴾
“I will dissociate myself from you and from whatever you invoke besides Allah.”
(Maryam: 48)
✔ Conclusion:
❶ Praying behind an imam who holds deviant, shirk-based beliefs is impermissible.
❷ If the imam is unaware, he should be advised kindly and wisely.
❸ Muslims are advised to avoid praying behind such individuals, and instead attend mosques of Ahl al-Sunnah.
❹ Only Qur’an, Sunnah, and the consensus of the righteous predecessors are to be followed in matters of belief and worship.
وَاللهُ أَعلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
May Allah grant us understanding and guide us to the straight path.
