Question : A question was asked regarding the legitimacy of praying behind a prayer leader (Imam) who is corrupt (fasiq) and/or a beginner (mubtadi’).

Fatwa in Brief: One should not pray behind someone who is corrupt or who is still learning the rudiments of the faith.

The Permanent Committee, 7/364

Response:

The Companions and the Followers (tabi‘un) prayed behind the corrupt and inexperienced. Anyone whose prayer is permitted is, in turn, permitted to lead the prayer him/herself.

Commentary:

In the hadith collection of al-Bukhari, it is narrated that ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar prayed behind Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi. Likewise, in the hadith collection of Muslim, it is narrated that Abu Sa‘id al-Khudari prayed the ‘id prayers behind Marawan, while, in Muslim’s hadith collection, it is reported that ‘Abd Allah ibn Mas‘ud prayed behind al-Walid ibn ‘Uqba ibn Abu Ma‘it, who used to drink alcohol. In fact, he [al-Walid] once led the morning prayers and included four raq‘at [the kneeling position in prayer], an act for which he was struck by ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan. The Companions would also pray behind Ibn ‘Ubayd, who was accused of atheism (ilhad) and wrongdoing (dalal).

Anyone whose prayer is valid may lead the prayers. Yet, praying behind someone who is corrupt is legally disliked (makruh). Thus, for instance, when the Prophet (upon him be peace) saw the prayer leader spitting in the direction of the qibla, he remarked that “he [this man] should not lead you [in prayers]”. Thereafter, he was banned from leading prayers. When he complained at this treatment, the Prophet (upon him be peace) replied: “Yes, [but] you have offended against (adhayt) God and his Messenger”.[1]

If an honourable [in terms of religion and ethics] person may be found, it is better to pray behind him [than behind weaker men]. However, if the corrupt individual is merely fulfilling his role as Imam, it is permitted to pray behind him. Thereafter, the people should advise him [to mend his ways] so that they can benefit from him as a prayer leader. In a hadith included by Ibn Majah and Ibn Haban: “There are three individuals whose prayer will not be accepted: an unpopular Imam; a woman wakes up [after an argument the night before] and her husband is angry with her; and two brothers when they are fighting”.

Although praying behind a wrongdoer is disliked (makruh), it is nevertheless legally valid. This opinion is supported by a hadith included by al-Bayhaqi: “Pray behind the trustworthy and the corrupt, and perform jihad with the trustworthy and the corrupt”.

Among the Fatawa of Shaykh ‘Abdullah ibn Hamid:

The majority of the People of Knowledge agree that praying behind a corrupt individual is valid, and that the one who prays behind him should not be ordered to repeat his prayer. For the Prophet (upon him be peace) said: “Pray behind the one who says 'there is no God, but God’”. This hadith is included by Abu Na‘im (320/1) and al-Dar Qutni (56/2).[2]

And God knows best.

Dr. Ahmad ‘Id