Is it permissible to pray behind the people of innovation and behind the people of false beliefs?
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The questioner : Is it permissible to pray behind the people of innovation and behind the people of false beliefs?
The Shaykh : This varies. In the case of an innovation that entails disbelief, it is not permissible to pray behind one who holds it. As for innovations that do not entail disbelief, we first address those responsible for the mosques and say: do not make an innovator the imam of the Muslims, even if his innovation does not entail disbelief, because there is a fear that he will spread his innovation among the people, and people are in no need of this. However, if he has been appointed and has become the imam, and his innovation does not entail disbelief, then one should pray behind him, unless there is a benefit in boycotting the prayer with him, in which case one should leave the prayer with him and go to another mosque. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : This varies. In the case of an innovation that entails disbelief, it is not permissible to pray behind one who holds it. As for innovations that do not entail disbelief, we first address those responsible for the mosques and say: do not make an innovator the imam of the Muslims, even if his innovation does not entail disbelief, because there is a fear that he will spread his innovation among the people, and people are in no need of this. However, if he has been appointed and has become the imam, and his innovation does not entail disbelief, then one should pray behind him, unless there is a benefit in boycotting the prayer with him, in which case one should leave the prayer with him and go to another mosque. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.