There is a mosque in our village, and a boy who does not exceed five years of age leads the prayer in this mosque, even though there are people in the mosque who are older than him and
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The questioner : The questioner says in this question: There is a mosque in our village, and a boy who does not exceed fifteen years of age leads the prayer in this mosque, even though there are people in the mosque who are older than him and more knowledgeable than him, but those who built the mosque do not want anyone but this boy. What is the Shari'ah criterion for the imam in leading the worshippers?
The Shaykh : As long as this mosque is under the care of the government, the appointment of the imam and the mu'adhdhin is referred to what the government appoints, and no one has the right to monopolize the mosques they build.
As for if it is in a country where the government does not take charge of these matters, then we advise the man who built this mosque to proceed in appointing imams according to what the Shari'ah requires, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 673a. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : As long as this mosque is under the care of the government, the appointment of the imam and the mu'adhdhin is referred to what the government appoints, and no one has the right to monopolize the mosques they build.
As for if it is in a country where the government does not take charge of these matters, then we advise the man who built this mosque to proceed in appointing imams according to what the Shari'ah requires, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The one who is most versed in Allah's Book should act as Imam for the people, but If they are equally versed in reciting it, then the one who has most knowledge regarding Sunnah if they are equal regarding the Sunnah, then the earliest one to emigrate; it they emigrated at the same time, then the earliest one to embrace Islam.
يؤمّ القوم أقرؤهم لكتاب الله فإن كانوا في القراءة سواء فأعلمهم بالسنّة فإن كانوا في السنّة سواء فأقدمهم هجرة فإن كانوا في الهجرة سواءً فأقدمهم إسلاماThe questioner : May Allah reward you with good.