Is it obligatory to follow the imam in everything he does?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : Is following the imam required in everything he does, or only in what is mentioned in the hadith?
The Shaykh : In everything he does that is part of the recommended practices or the postures of prayer, even if the follower’s opinion differs from the imam’s opinion.
The questioner : Yes, but if the imam does something that is not prescribed and for which no hadith has been reported, such as placing the hands below the navel while standing?
The Shaykh : He does this believing it to be a recommended practice.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : And he does not do it like this without, meaning, having an excuse between him and his Lord.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : And therefore, he is followed.
The questioner : This is if he does it believing it to be a recommended practice.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : Otherwise, he is not followed.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : And beware of that.
The questioner: Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh: And upon you peace.
The Shaykh : In everything he does that is part of the recommended practices or the postures of prayer, even if the follower’s opinion differs from the imam’s opinion.
The questioner : Yes, but if the imam does something that is not prescribed and for which no hadith has been reported, such as placing the hands below the navel while standing?
The Shaykh : He does this believing it to be a recommended practice.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : And he does not do it like this without, meaning, having an excuse between him and his Lord.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : And therefore, he is followed.
The questioner : This is if he does it believing it to be a recommended practice.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : Otherwise, he is not followed.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : And beware of that.
The questioner: Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh: And upon you peace.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.