What does the imam do if he remembers that he is not in a state of ritual purity?
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The questioner : When the imam who has begun the prayer remembers that he is not in a state of ritual purity, or that he has not purified himself from minor ritual impurity, what should he do? May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : If the imam remembers that he is not in a state of ritual purity, it is not permissible for him to continue in his prayer. Rather, he must leave it, and then say to the one behind him: "O so-and-so, complete the prayer for them."
If he leaves his prayer without telling anyone to complete the prayer for them, they may bring forward one of them to complete the prayer for them, or they may complete it individually, each praying for himself. This does not invalidate the prayer of the followers according to the stronger position.
Likewise, if he breaks his ritual purity during the prayer, it is not permissible for him to continue in his prayer. Rather, he must leave, and then say to the one behind him: "Complete the prayer for them." If he does not say this, they may bring forward one of them to complete the prayer for them, or they may complete it individually, each praying for himself.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : If the imam remembers that he is not in a state of ritual purity, it is not permissible for him to continue in his prayer. Rather, he must leave it, and then say to the one behind him: "O so-and-so, complete the prayer for them."
If he leaves his prayer without telling anyone to complete the prayer for them, they may bring forward one of them to complete the prayer for them, or they may complete it individually, each praying for himself. This does not invalidate the prayer of the followers according to the stronger position.
Likewise, if he breaks his ritual purity during the prayer, it is not permissible for him to continue in his prayer. Rather, he must leave, and then say to the one behind him: "Complete the prayer for them." If he does not say this, they may bring forward one of them to complete the prayer for them, or they may complete it individually, each praying for himself.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.