He also has another and final question, asking: What are the good qualities that must be present in the imam who leads people in prayer?
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The questioner : He also has another and final question, asking: What are the good qualities that must be present in the imam who leads people in prayer?
The Shaykh : The good qualities that should be present in the imam who leads people in prayer are that he should be a reader of the Book of Allah, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Ibn Majah 980Sahih (Darussalam) And he should be knowledgeable about the Sunnah, especially regarding matters of prayer, as he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 235Sahih (Darussalam) And he should be trustworthy, because the imam is a trustee; he prays for himself and for others. If he is not trustworthy, there is a fear that he will pray in a way that is not complete, such that he hastens in a manner that prevents the ma'mum (those praying behind him) or some of them from doing what is recommended or what is obligatory. This is found in some imams who hasten in a way that is not prescribed, which is a harm to those behind them.
Therefore, the important point is that the more upright a person is in prayer and the more careful he is with his trust, the more suitable he is, and the more he fulfills the required qualities of the imam.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Abdul Aziz al-Abdullah from al-Mahmal sent this paper.
The Shaykh : The good qualities that should be present in the imam who leads people in prayer are that he should be a reader of the Book of Allah, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The people should be lead by the one who is most well-Versed in recitation of the Book of Allah
يؤم القوم أقرؤهم لكتاب اللهIf they are equal in recitation, then the most knowledgeable in the Sunnah among them.
فإن كانوا في القراءة سواء فأعلمهم بالسنّةTherefore, the important point is that the more upright a person is in prayer and the more careful he is with his trust, the more suitable he is, and the more he fulfills the required qualities of the imam.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Abdul Aziz al-Abdullah from al-Mahmal sent this paper.