What is the ruling on a person with a speech impediment leading the prayer?
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The Shaykh : His saying (peace and blessings be upon him): Sunan Ibn Majah 980Sahih (Darussalam), if he is the most proficient reader among the people.
The questioner : He is not the most proficient among us.
The Shaykh : Listen, my brother, may Allah guide you. I am now... if he is able to lead them, even if he has a speech impediment, and the one with a speech impediment is the one you are describing, then if that is not the case, it is not permissible for him to lead the people when there is someone among them who is more proficient in recitation. This is regarding him. As for you, the followers, your prayer is valid in any case, and he bears the errors he commits, due to his saying (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the imams:Riyad as-Salihin 1838. Perhaps you have received the answer?
The questioner : Yes, and if we asked him not to lead us and he insisted?
The Shaykh : That is not a question, may Allah guide you.
The questioner : No, I mean we ask him not to lead us.
The Shaykh : May Allah guide you, that is not a question; I mean, what do you suppose the answer would be? Kill him? Prevent him by force?
The questioner: No.
The Shaykh : So what would the answer be? Pray behind him, and the sin is upon him.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good and preserve you.
The Shaykh : And you as well, if Allah wills.
The questioner : And benefit us with your knowledge.
The Shaykh : Welcome.
The questioner: Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh: And upon you peace.
The people should be lead by the one who is most well-Versed in recitation of the Book of Allah
يؤمُّ القومَ أقرَؤُهم لكتاب اللهThe questioner : He is not the most proficient among us.
The Shaykh : Listen, my brother, may Allah guide you. I am now... if he is able to lead them, even if he has a speech impediment, and the one with a speech impediment is the one you are describing, then if that is not the case, it is not permissible for him to lead the people when there is someone among them who is more proficient in recitation. This is regarding him. As for you, the followers, your prayer is valid in any case, and he bears the errors he commits, due to his saying (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the imams:
Your leaders will lead you in Salat (prayer). If they conduct it properly, you and they will be rewarded; but if they make mistakes you will earn the reward and they will be held responsible (for the mistakes).
يصلُّون بكم ، فإن أصابوا فلكم ولهم ، وإن أخطؤوا فلكم وعليهمThe questioner : Yes, and if we asked him not to lead us and he insisted?
The Shaykh : That is not a question, may Allah guide you.
The questioner : No, I mean we ask him not to lead us.
The Shaykh : May Allah guide you, that is not a question; I mean, what do you suppose the answer would be? Kill him? Prevent him by force?
The questioner: No.
The Shaykh : So what would the answer be? Pray behind him, and the sin is upon him.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good and preserve you.
The Shaykh : And you as well, if Allah wills.
The questioner : And benefit us with your knowledge.
The Shaykh : Welcome.
The questioner: Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh: And upon you peace.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.