The Ruling on Praying Behind an Imam Who Neglects the Pillars
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His Eminence the Shaykh: An elderly imam says the takbir for prostration before he reaches the ground, and likewise he recites al-Fatihah before he straightens his back,Meaning: while he is still standing. He has been advised, but he returned to his original state. What is the ruling on our prayer behind him?
As for if he begins al-Fatihah before he is fully standing, his prayer is not valid, and you should not pray behind him. You must inform the responsible authorities so that they correct him or replace him.
As for his saying the takbir for prostration before he reaches prostration or approaches it, this does not invalidate his prayer; however, regarding the ma'mum (those praying behind him), some may hasten when they hear the takbir and reach the ground before this imam does. This is what should be feared. The first case is the great danger, because it is not permissible for a person who is able to stand to begin reciting al-Fatihah unless he is fully standing.
So, may Allah bless you, you are between two options: Either you enter the mosque and pray behind a person who completes the pillars.
Either you inform the responsible authorities and say: Come and pray behind him, and see what he does.
And if he is a ma'mum, every person who is able to stand cannot recite al-Fatihah until he is fully standing.
As for if he begins al-Fatihah before he is fully standing, his prayer is not valid, and you should not pray behind him. You must inform the responsible authorities so that they correct him or replace him.
As for his saying the takbir for prostration before he reaches prostration or approaches it, this does not invalidate his prayer; however, regarding the ma'mum (those praying behind him), some may hasten when they hear the takbir and reach the ground before this imam does. This is what should be feared. The first case is the great danger, because it is not permissible for a person who is able to stand to begin reciting al-Fatihah unless he is fully standing.
So, may Allah bless you, you are between two options: Either you enter the mosque and pray behind a person who completes the pillars.
Either you inform the responsible authorities and say: Come and pray behind him, and see what he does.
And if he is a ma'mum, every person who is able to stand cannot recite al-Fatihah until he is fully standing.