Is it permissible for a smoker to lead people in prayer when he does not read the Qur'an well, given that there are others who read it well?
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The questioner : He asks: Is it permissible for a smoker to lead people in prayer when he does not read the Qur'an well, given that there are others who read it well?
The Shaykh : As for smoking, persisting in it is open sinfulness, because smoking is forbidden, as indicated by the general texts of the Book and the Sunnah and the principles of the Shari'ah, and this is not the place to elaborate on them.
As for his not being able to read well, it is not permissible for him to be an imam if he cannot read well; rather, he must either improve his recitation or give up leading the prayer.
As for smoking, it does not prevent a person from being an imam if he is a reader, because his sin is upon himself. For this reason, it is not a condition, according to the stronger position, that the imam be scrupulous; rather, it is permissible for an open sinner to lead the prayer. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to pray behind open sinners, just as Ibn 'Umar prayed behind al-Hajjaj. And who was al-Hajjaj?
He was known for injustice and oppression, may Allah protect us from that. In any case, the stronger position is that scrupulousness is not a condition for leading the prayer, but proficiency in recitation is a necessary condition. Therefore, one who cannot read well is not permitted to be an imam. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. In his second question, he asks: Is it permissible for a boy who has not reached puberty to deliver the sermon and lead people in prayer?
The Shaykh : Yes, the stronger position is that it is permissible for the imam to be a boy who has not reached puberty. 'Amr ibn Salimah al-Jarmy led his people in prayer when he was six or seven years old, as reported in Sahih al-Bukhari. This falls under the general meaning of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family):.
So if a boy is ten years old, reads well, and knows how to pray, he may lead people in the Friday prayer, the five daily prayers, and the night prayer in Ramadan.
The Shaykh : As for smoking, persisting in it is open sinfulness, because smoking is forbidden, as indicated by the general texts of the Book and the Sunnah and the principles of the Shari'ah, and this is not the place to elaborate on them.
As for his not being able to read well, it is not permissible for him to be an imam if he cannot read well; rather, he must either improve his recitation or give up leading the prayer.
As for smoking, it does not prevent a person from being an imam if he is a reader, because his sin is upon himself. For this reason, it is not a condition, according to the stronger position, that the imam be scrupulous; rather, it is permissible for an open sinner to lead the prayer. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to pray behind open sinners, just as Ibn 'Umar prayed behind al-Hajjaj. And who was al-Hajjaj?
He was known for injustice and oppression, may Allah protect us from that. In any case, the stronger position is that scrupulousness is not a condition for leading the prayer, but proficiency in recitation is a necessary condition. Therefore, one who cannot read well is not permitted to be an imam. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. In his second question, he asks: Is it permissible for a boy who has not reached puberty to deliver the sermon and lead people in prayer?
The Shaykh : Yes, the stronger position is that it is permissible for the imam to be a boy who has not reached puberty. 'Amr ibn Salimah al-Jarmy led his people in prayer when he was six or seven years old, as reported in Sahih al-Bukhari. This falls under the general meaning of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family):
The one who leads the people is the one who is most proficient in reciting the Book of Allah.
يؤم القوم أقرأهم لكتاب اللهSo if a boy is ten years old, reads well, and knows how to pray, he may lead people in the Friday prayer, the five daily prayers, and the night prayer in Ramadan.