The imam prayed with the people without ablution due to forgetfulness; what is the ruling on the prayer of the followers?
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The questioner : The second part of this question is that the imam prayed with his congregation without ablution due to forgetfulness. What is the ruling on the prayer of the followers? We ask for your guidance on this, may you be rewarded.
The Shaykh : The prayer of the followers is valid.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Whether he completed the prayer and then remembered that he was without ablution, or he remembered during the prayer that he was without ablution and left, and one of the followers led them, or they completed it for themselves, each for himself.
Accordingly, we say that the prayer of the followers is valid, and the prayer of the imam is not valid. It is obligatory for him to perform ablution and repeat the prayer.
And we mentioned earlier that if he remembers during the prayer, he should leave.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : In that case, we say that either one of the followers should complete the prayer for them as imam, or each person should complete it for himself. The best in this situation is for the imam himself to say to one of those behind him, "So-and-so, come forward and complete the prayer for them," so that confusion does not arise among them.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable one.
The Shaykh : The prayer of the followers is valid.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Whether he completed the prayer and then remembered that he was without ablution, or he remembered during the prayer that he was without ablution and left, and one of the followers led them, or they completed it for themselves, each for himself.
Accordingly, we say that the prayer of the followers is valid, and the prayer of the imam is not valid. It is obligatory for him to perform ablution and repeat the prayer.
And we mentioned earlier that if he remembers during the prayer, he should leave.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : In that case, we say that either one of the followers should complete the prayer for them as imam, or each person should complete it for himself. The best in this situation is for the imam himself to say to one of those behind him, "So-and-so, come forward and complete the prayer for them," so that confusion does not arise among them.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable one.