Fatwa ID: 08160
Answered by: Molana Sibghat Ullah
Question:
If the imam is a fasiq, may we pray behind him, or should we look for another masjid? If no other masjid is available, should we pray jamaat at home or alone?
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Salah is one of the most important pillars of Islam, and for men, praying in congregation is highly rewarding. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“If there are three men in a village or in the desert among whom prayer is not offered in congregation, the devil has got the mastery over them. So, observe prayer in congregation, for the wolf eats only the straggling animal.”[i]
We can see the importance of congregation, but it is best not to pray behind an imam who is a fasiq, especially if his sin is major and public. This is because it is important that the imam is upright in his religious practice and conduct.
However, it will still be valid to pray behind such an imam, and the prayer remains valid[ii]. This is because the validity of the prayer is not void just because the imam is a sinner, as long as the imam’s actions do not invalidate the prayer itself[iii] (such as words or actions of the prayer, etc.).
It is recommended to find another masjid where an imam is pious and righteous to lead the prayer.
If no masjid is accessible, and you cannot find another congregation to join, you may pray at home, either individually or in congregation with your family[iv].
Hope this answers the question.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by: Molana Sibghat Ullah
Checked and approved by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
[i] Abu Dawood, Book of Salah, Chapter: The Severity of Not Attending the Congregational Prayer.
مَا مِنْ ثَلاَثَةٍ فِي قَرْيَةٍ وَلاَ بَدْوٍ لاَ تُقَامُ فِيهِمُ الصَّلاَةُ إِلاَّ قَدِ اسْتَحْوَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَعَلَيْكَ بِالْجَمَاعَةِ فَإِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُ الذِّئْبُ الْقَاصِيَةَ
[ii] Al-Hidayah, Vol. 1, Book of Salah, Chapter about the Conditions of the Imam, Page 113, Dar ul Marifah, Beirut.
وَإِن كَانَ الإِمَامُ فَاسِقًا، صَحَّتِ الصَّلَاةُ وَقَامَتِ الْجُمَاعَةُ
And if the imam is a fasiq, the prayer is valid, and the congregation is still established.
[iii] Radd al-Muhtar, Volume: 1, Book of Salah, Chapter about the Conditions of the Imam, Page 555, Dar ul Fikr, Beirut.
وَيُصَلِّي وَرَاءَ فَاسِقٍ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي فِعْلِهِ مَا يُؤَثِّرُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ
One may pray behind a fasiq in congregation, provided that his actions do not affect the validity of the prayer.
[iv] Radd al-Muhtar, Volume: 1, Book of Salah, Chapter about the Conditions of the Imam, Page 555, Dar ul Fikr, Beirut.
وَيُفَضَّلُ أَنْ يُصَلِّي فِي بَيْتِهِ أَوْ وَحْدَهُ إِذَا كَانَ الإِمَامُ فَاسِقًا
It is preferable to pray in one’s home or alone if the imam is a fasiq.
