What is the ruling on praying behind an innovator imam?
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The questioner : What is the ruling on praying behind an innovator imam?
The Shaykh : Praying behind an innovator imam: if his innovation is one that entails disbelief, then it is not permissible for you to pray behind him, because the prayer of one who commits an innovation that entails disbelief is not accepted, since disbelief prevents the acceptance of prayer. And if his prayer is not accepted, how can you follow him, or how can you be led by an imam whose prayer is not valid? However, if you did not know about him and you prayed behind him, and then it became clear to you afterwards that he is an innovator whose innovation entails disbelief, then your prayer is valid, by the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Baqarah 2:286], and a person does not know the unseen.
As for if the innovation is one that entails open sinfulness but does not take a person out of Islam, then praying behind him is valid according to the stronger position, which is that praying behind an open sinner is valid. Because, I mean the open sinner, his prayer is valid and his prayer is accepted, and his open sinfulness and his integrity regarding himself are not our concern, as long as he performs the prayer in the required manner. However, if he neglects the prayer, then you do not pray behind him, even if he is free from innovation and open sinfulness.
This is the summary of what is said about the innovator. However, some scholars say: the open sinner, absolutely, it is not permissible to pray behind him. But this is the weaker position, and the stronger position is that praying behind an open sinner is valid. But as I told you: if he neglects the prayer, do not pray behind him. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you...
The Shaykh : And also, if you can find an imam who is upright and straight in his religion, then your prayer behind him is more preferable than your prayer behind this open sinner.
The questioner : Very well.
The Shaykh : Praying behind an innovator imam: if his innovation is one that entails disbelief, then it is not permissible for you to pray behind him, because the prayer of one who commits an innovation that entails disbelief is not accepted, since disbelief prevents the acceptance of prayer. And if his prayer is not accepted, how can you follow him, or how can you be led by an imam whose prayer is not valid? However, if you did not know about him and you prayed behind him, and then it became clear to you afterwards that he is an innovator whose innovation entails disbelief, then your prayer is valid, by the saying of Allah the Exalted:
Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity
لا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَاAs for if the innovation is one that entails open sinfulness but does not take a person out of Islam, then praying behind him is valid according to the stronger position, which is that praying behind an open sinner is valid. Because, I mean the open sinner, his prayer is valid and his prayer is accepted, and his open sinfulness and his integrity regarding himself are not our concern, as long as he performs the prayer in the required manner. However, if he neglects the prayer, then you do not pray behind him, even if he is free from innovation and open sinfulness.
This is the summary of what is said about the innovator. However, some scholars say: the open sinner, absolutely, it is not permissible to pray behind him. But this is the weaker position, and the stronger position is that praying behind an open sinner is valid. But as I told you: if he neglects the prayer, do not pray behind him. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you...
The Shaykh : And also, if you can find an imam who is upright and straight in his religion, then your prayer behind him is more preferable than your prayer behind this open sinner.
The questioner : Very well.