Fatwa ID: 01591

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

assalaamu'alaikum mufti sahib, if an imam makes a mistake such as not sitting down after 2 raka'ats during 4 fardh, how should the muqtadi's behind make him aware of his mistake? 

Answer:

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Narrated by Saaiduna Sahl bin Sad that the Prophet of Allah has said, "…If something happens to anyone during his prayer the men should say Subhan Allah and the women should clap." (Sunan Abu Dawud p.143 v.1)

If an Imam makes a mistake in Salah then the men behind the Imam should say Subhan Allah to make the Imam aware of the mistake. If the men behind said Allahu Akbar or any other Tasbeeh, it will be permissible (but against the sunnah) and his Salah will not be invalidated. If there are women praying behind then they should clap.

The sunnah method for a woman to clap in salah to make the Imam aware of his mistake is by tapping the two fingers on her right hand on the palm of the left hand or by striking the back of one of the hands on the palm of the other hand. (Taqrir Abu Dawud p.347 v.2)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.