Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ Ahl al-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 244
Structured for Clear Jurisprudential Guidance
On the other hand, there is a knowledgeable and Sunnah-abiding ʿĀlim, who has been serving as the imam for the past twelve years by public appointment.
Now the ignorant Ḥuffāẓ are instigating the public to replace the scholar and are proposing a split: three prayers led by the Ḥuffāẓ and two by the scholar.
Is it permissible for the ʿĀlim to pray behind such Ḥuffāẓ, especially when most villagers object to their practices?
✔ A righteous ʿĀlim holds a superior status in Sharīʿah, and he is most deserving of leading the prayer.
✔ Villagers should abandon bias and tribalism and collectively support the knowledgeable and practicing imam, especially since the majority already agrees with him.
Performing ṣalāh behind someone known for religious innovations or un-Islamic practices — while a qualified and upright imam is present — is not acceptable according to Sharʿī standards.
Reference:
Ahl Ḥadīth Suhādrah, Vol. 15, Issue 19
Structured for Clear Jurisprudential Guidance
❖ Question
In a village, there are two Ḥuffāẓ (memorizers of the Qurʾān) who are ignorant of religious knowledge and adhere to innovative (bidʿatī) practices.On the other hand, there is a knowledgeable and Sunnah-abiding ʿĀlim, who has been serving as the imam for the past twelve years by public appointment.
Now the ignorant Ḥuffāẓ are instigating the public to replace the scholar and are proposing a split: three prayers led by the Ḥuffāẓ and two by the scholar.
Is it permissible for the ʿĀlim to pray behind such Ḥuffāẓ, especially when most villagers object to their practices?
❖ Answer
✘ No, it is not permissible for a Sunnah-abiding scholar to perform prayers behind a fāsiq (sinner) or a bidʿat-practicing Ḥāfiẓ on a regular basis.✔ A righteous ʿĀlim holds a superior status in Sharīʿah, and he is most deserving of leading the prayer.
✔ Villagers should abandon bias and tribalism and collectively support the knowledgeable and practicing imam, especially since the majority already agrees with him.
Performing ṣalāh behind someone known for religious innovations or un-Islamic practices — while a qualified and upright imam is present — is not acceptable according to Sharʿī standards.Reference:
Ahl Ḥadīth Suhādrah, Vol. 15, Issue 19
