The Ruling on Praying Behind an Innovator Imam
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
A listener from the Syrian Arab Republic, identified as (E. K.), asks Your Eminence about the ruling on praying behind an innovator imam: Is it permissible to pray behind him? And what should be done if it is not possible to remove this imam from leading the mosque? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
If his innovation does not render him a disbeliever, then the prayer is valid. For example, if he says, “I intend to pray such and such,” or similar innovations. If the innovation does not make him a disbeliever, then praying behind him is valid, but one should seek out someone more qualified and better than him, working with the authorities, until someone free from innovation is appointed.
However, if the innovation renders him a disbeliever, then one does not pray behind him. This includes the innovator who says that the Qur'an is created, or those who believe in supplicating to the dead and calling upon the dead for aid; this is major shirk. It also includes those who insult the Companions, like the Rafidah, or those who exaggerate in their praise of the People of the House, like the Rafidah, such as exaggerating in their praise of 'Ali and the People of the House. These are innovations that render one a disbeliever. We ask Allah for safety from them. One does not pray behind such a person.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
A listener from the Syrian Arab Republic, identified as (E. K.), asks Your Eminence about the ruling on praying behind an innovator imam: Is it permissible to pray behind him? And what should be done if it is not possible to remove this imam from leading the mosque? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
If his innovation does not render him a disbeliever, then the prayer is valid. For example, if he says, “I intend to pray such and such,” or similar innovations. If the innovation does not make him a disbeliever, then praying behind him is valid, but one should seek out someone more qualified and better than him, working with the authorities, until someone free from innovation is appointed.
However, if the innovation renders him a disbeliever, then one does not pray behind him. This includes the innovator who says that the Qur'an is created, or those who believe in supplicating to the dead and calling upon the dead for aid; this is major shirk. It also includes those who insult the Companions, like the Rafidah, or those who exaggerate in their praise of the People of the House, like the Rafidah, such as exaggerating in their praise of 'Ali and the People of the House. These are innovations that render one a disbeliever. We ask Allah for safety from them. One does not pray behind such a person.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.