Is the leadership of one who does not recite well valid?
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The questioner : Is the leadership of one who does not recite well valid?
The Shaykh : The leadership of one who does not recite well is subject to detail: If he does not recite the obligatory recitation well, such that he makes a mistake in al-Fatihah that changes the meaning, then his leadership is not valid, because reciting al-Fatihah is a pillar of the prayer. If he makes a mistake that does not change the meaning, or if he makes a mistake that changes the meaning in something other than al-Fatihah and did not intend it, then his prayer is not invalid, but even so, it is not befitting for him to be an imam, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan Ibn Majah 980Sahih (Darussalam) And if this person does not recite well, how can he be an imam? However, it remains to be said: Among the former imams who are appointed imams in these mosques, there are some who do not recite well. We say: Teach this person how to recite. If his tongue becomes correct, that is good. If it does not become correct, then the matter is referred to the responsible authorities to look into his case. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you. The listener, K. Y. from Libya, says.
The Shaykh : The leadership of one who does not recite well is subject to detail: If he does not recite the obligatory recitation well, such that he makes a mistake in al-Fatihah that changes the meaning, then his leadership is not valid, because reciting al-Fatihah is a pillar of the prayer. If he makes a mistake that does not change the meaning, or if he makes a mistake that changes the meaning in something other than al-Fatihah and did not intend it, then his prayer is not invalid, but even so, it is not befitting for him to be an imam, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
The people should be lead by the one who is most well-Versed in recitation of the Book of Allah
يؤم القوم أقرؤهم لكتاب اللهThe questioner : May Allah bless you. The listener, K. Y. from Libya, says.