If the ma'mum stands to the left of the imam, is his prayer valid?
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The questioner : If the ma'mum stands to the left of the imam.
The Shaykh : If he stands to the left of the imam, he should take him from behind and place him on his right, yes?
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Out of ignorance?
The questioner : Yes, out of ignorance.
The Shaykh : Yes, his prayer is valid. As for if he was aware, the scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) differed on whether the ma'mum's prayer is invalid or not. The correct view is that it is not invalid, because there is no report from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbidding standing to the left of the imam. There is only the mere action in this matter, and what is based only on a mere action is not obligatory. This is the choice of our Shaykh, Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him). Yes.
The Shaykh : If he stands to the left of the imam, he should take him from behind and place him on his right, yes?
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Out of ignorance?
The questioner : Yes, out of ignorance.
The Shaykh : Yes, his prayer is valid. As for if he was aware, the scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) differed on whether the ma'mum's prayer is invalid or not. The correct view is that it is not invalid, because there is no report from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbidding standing to the left of the imam. There is only the mere action in this matter, and what is based only on a mere action is not obligatory. This is the choice of our Shaykh, Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him). Yes.