If the imam makes a clear error in a verse during the sermon, is it permissible for the one praying behind him to correct him?
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The questioner : The question asks: If the imam makes a clear error in a verse during the Friday sermon, is it permissible for the one praying behind him to correct him?
The Shaykh : Yes. If the imam, meaning the one delivering the sermon,
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : makes an error in the Friday sermon that changes the meaning, especially in the Qur'an, then it is obligatory to correct him, because it is not permissible to alter the words of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in a way that changes the meaning. Therefore, it is not permissible to acquiesce to his error; rather, one should correct the one delivering the sermon. As for an error in his own speech, one should also correct him in that case. For example, if the one delivering the sermon intended to say, "This is forbidden," but said, "This is obligatory," you must correct him, because if he were left to stand by what he said—that it is obligatory—it would lead to misguiding the people, and it is not permissible for us to acquiesce to a word by the one delivering the sermon that becomes a cause of misguiding the people. As for a forgivable error that does not change the meaning, it is not obligatory to correct him. For example, if he nominates a word that should be in the accusative case, or puts a word in the accusative case that should be in the nominative case, in a way that does not change the meaning, then it is not obligatory to correct him, whether that is in the Qur'an or outside the Qur'an.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Yes. If the imam, meaning the one delivering the sermon,
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : makes an error in the Friday sermon that changes the meaning, especially in the Qur'an, then it is obligatory to correct him, because it is not permissible to alter the words of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in a way that changes the meaning. Therefore, it is not permissible to acquiesce to his error; rather, one should correct the one delivering the sermon. As for an error in his own speech, one should also correct him in that case. For example, if the one delivering the sermon intended to say, "This is forbidden," but said, "This is obligatory," you must correct him, because if he were left to stand by what he said—that it is obligatory—it would lead to misguiding the people, and it is not permissible for us to acquiesce to a word by the one delivering the sermon that becomes a cause of misguiding the people. As for a forgivable error that does not change the meaning, it is not obligatory to correct him. For example, if he nominates a word that should be in the accusative case, or puts a word in the accusative case that should be in the nominative case, in a way that does not change the meaning, then it is not obligatory to correct him, whether that is in the Qur'an or outside the Qur'an.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.