Is there a preference in leading the prayer for one who resides in a city where the Friday prayer is held over one who lives in the desert, given that the Friday prayer is not obligatory upon the Bedouin, and is

The questioner : Is there a preference in leading the prayer for one who resides in a city or village where the people hold the Friday prayer over one who lives in the desert, given that the Friday prayer is not obligatory upon the Bedouin? I have heard that this is mentioned in the school of Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him), so is this correct?

The Shaykh : The issue of leading the prayer depends on what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned in his saying: These are the descriptions considered valid by the Shari'ah. If they are equal in these descriptions, then the one who is closer to knowledge of the limits of Allah is more deserving. There is no doubt that the resident who stays in the city is closer to knowledge of the limits of Allah the Exalted than the one from the desert, who is far from knowledge and learning, so he is more deserving. However, it must be noted that the issue of taqwa (mindfulness of Allah) is also important, for the one who is mindful of Allah the Exalted is better than the one who is not mindful of Allah.