We have a group in the mosque where we pray, and when they pray, the imam of the mosque orders them all to say "Ya Latif" one hundred and twenty-nine times, and
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The questioner : This questioner is from Sudan. He says, "We have a group, and in the mosque where we pray, when they pray, the imam of the mosque orders them all to say 'Ya Latif' one hundred and twenty-nine times and repeat it. Is it obligatory for us to repeat it, or should we leave this imam and this mosque?"
The Shaykh : First, I direct my advice to this imam to fear Allah the Mighty and Majestic in himself and in his Muslim brothers. Where did he get this religious innovation from! Did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) do it, or did Abu Bakr, or 'Umar, or 'Uthman, or 'Ali, or Ibn Mas'ud, or anyone else? Did they order people to say this? Let him fear Allah the Exalted in himself, and let him know that he is held accountable for it and will be punished for it, and that by doing so he is misguided, and by ordering people to do it he becomes one who misguides others. So he is a misguided one who misguides others, and he must repent to Allah before death overtakes him.
As for the people of the mosque, they should advise him. If he reforms, that is what is desired. Otherwise, they should remove him by all means they can. By my saying "by all means they can," I mean they should go to the responsible authorities who have the power to dismiss and appoint imams, and request that they remove him, that they dismiss him from this great position, the position of imamate. If they are unable to do that, they should not pray with him, because he is an innovator who is persistent in his innovation. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : First, I direct my advice to this imam to fear Allah the Mighty and Majestic in himself and in his Muslim brothers. Where did he get this religious innovation from! Did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) do it, or did Abu Bakr, or 'Umar, or 'Uthman, or 'Ali, or Ibn Mas'ud, or anyone else? Did they order people to say this? Let him fear Allah the Exalted in himself, and let him know that he is held accountable for it and will be punished for it, and that by doing so he is misguided, and by ordering people to do it he becomes one who misguides others. So he is a misguided one who misguides others, and he must repent to Allah before death overtakes him.
As for the people of the mosque, they should advise him. If he reforms, that is what is desired. Otherwise, they should remove him by all means they can. By my saying "by all means they can," I mean they should go to the responsible authorities who have the power to dismiss and appoint imams, and request that they remove him, that they dismiss him from this great position, the position of imamate. If they are unable to do that, they should not pray with him, because he is an innovator who is persistent in his innovation. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.