A mu'adhdhin in one of the mosques in his town, with no one else available, who leads them and prays Jumu'ah with them, but is weak in his recitation of the Qur'an and tajwid; is he entitled to lead them?

The questioner : A mu'adhdhin in one of the mosques in his town, with no one else available, says: "I lead the worshippers and deliver the khutbah for them on Friday, but I am weak in my recitation of the Qur'an and tajwid. Is it permissible for me to lead these people, O honorable Shaykh? And is there any sin on me for this?"

The Shaykh : It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: Therefore, it is not befitting for these people to appoint you as their imam when there is among them someone who is more proficient in recitation than you, because that is contrary to what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded. However, if you are the best of the people in recitation, then lead them, and strive to ensure that your recitation is correct and straight in accordance with the required manner.