The Imamate of the Incapable
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Fatwa No. ( 15711 )
Q: We request clarification on the following: The imam of a certain mosque was struck by an illness and his leg was amputated. After the amputation, he comes from his home in a car and rides on a two-wheeled chair that he moves with his hand. He enters the mosque on that chair and leads the congregation while sitting on the chair, leading them by gesture. Is this practice acceptable, given that there are neighbors of the mosque among whom are those who recite better than this imam who has fallen ill, and one of them was the imam of the mosque?
A : It is permissible to pray behind a sitting imam if he is afflicted with an illness that is expected to end. As for the disabled person, it is not permissible for him to lead people in prayer because he lacks a pillar of prayer on a continuous basis, namely the pillar of standing. Therefore,
the congregation of the mosque should request the appointment of a healthy imam to pray with them. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: We request clarification on the following: The imam of a certain mosque was struck by an illness and his leg was amputated. After the amputation, he comes from his home in a car and rides on a two-wheeled chair that he moves with his hand. He enters the mosque on that chair and leads the congregation while sitting on the chair, leading them by gesture. Is this practice acceptable, given that there are neighbors of the mosque among whom are those who recite better than this imam who has fallen ill, and one of them was the imam of the mosque?
A : It is permissible to pray behind a sitting imam if he is afflicted with an illness that is expected to end. As for the disabled person, it is not permissible for him to lead people in prayer because he lacks a pillar of prayer on a continuous basis, namely the pillar of standing. Therefore,
the congregation of the mosque should request the appointment of a healthy imam to pray with them. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.