❖ Praying Behind a Sinner or Fasiq Imam
(Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām)
Question:
Is it permissible to perform Salah behind a sinner? Also, is it permissible to pray Nafl behind an Imam who is performing Fard?
Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd!
According to the stronger opinion, it is permissible and valid to pray behind any Muslim, even if he has committed some sins (maʿāṣī).
However, praying behind a pious person is without doubt better and more virtuous.
When is it Not Permissible?
If a person commits acts of disbelief (kufriyyah aʿmāl) which expel him from Islam:
- It is not permissible to pray behind him.
Reason:
- Such a person’s own Salah is invalid because he is no longer a Muslim.
- If the Imam’s Salah is invalid, there is no validity in following him in prayer.
- In reality, this is equivalent to praying without an Imam at all.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
