If a person prays behind an imam who holds some false beliefs and has some religious innovations, what is the ruling on the prayer of the one who prayed behind him?
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The questioner : If a person prays behind an imam who holds some false beliefs and has some religious innovations, what is the ruling on the prayer of the one who prayed behind him? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Praying behind an innovator does not fall into less than two cases. The first is that the innovation entails disbelief. In this case, the prayer behind one who has adopted this innovation is not valid. However, if a person was ignorant and did not know about it until his prayer ended, then his prayer behind him is valid because he is excused by ignorance.
The second case is that the innovation does not entail disbelief, but rather open sinfulness. The prayer behind him is based on the validity of praying behind an open sinner. There are two opinions among the scholars on this, and the correct one is that the prayer behind an open sinner is valid, because his own prayer is valid, so the prayer of the one who follows him is also valid. However, there is no doubt that a person should seek out an imam who is upright in his religion and trustworthy in his integrity.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Praying behind an innovator does not fall into less than two cases. The first is that the innovation entails disbelief. In this case, the prayer behind one who has adopted this innovation is not valid. However, if a person was ignorant and did not know about it until his prayer ended, then his prayer behind him is valid because he is excused by ignorance.
The second case is that the innovation does not entail disbelief, but rather open sinfulness. The prayer behind him is based on the validity of praying behind an open sinner. There are two opinions among the scholars on this, and the correct one is that the prayer behind an open sinner is valid, because his own prayer is valid, so the prayer of the one who follows him is also valid. However, there is no doubt that a person should seek out an imam who is upright in his religion and trustworthy in his integrity.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.