We are neighbors of a mosque in the neighborhood where we live, where we perform the five daily prayers except for Jumu'ah. Our problem is that there are two imams for this mosque, one of whom is not

The questioner : We are neighbors of a mosque in the neighborhood where we live, where we perform the five daily prayers except for Jumu'ah. Our problem is that there are two imams in this mosque: one is acceptable in his performance of the prayers, but he is not at the required level regarding the tajwid of the Qur'an. However, in his absence, there is another imam who does not perform the prayer well; he does not even read Surat al-Fatihah correctly. The greater issue is that he imposes himself by force, even though there is someone who reads and performs the prayer better than him. What should we do? Should we go to the neighboring mosques in our neighborhood?

The Shaykh : Do not go to the neighboring mosques. But if this second one steps forward with an agency from the imam, then it is said to the imam: do not appoint him due to his deficiency. And if he steps forward without an agency from the imam, then he is prevented, and the one more qualified for the imamah steps forward. If discord and fighting are feared, it is obligatory to refer the matter to the responsible authorities to settle the dispute.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.