Is it permissible to pray behind an imam who is an innovator?
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Question:
He says: Is it permissible to pray behind an imam who is an innovator, who seeks nearness to Allah in his supplication through the status of the prophets and the righteous, and who engages in acts of shirk (associating partners with Allah)?
Answer:
This is what causes one to leave an imam. This matter should be reported to the responsible authority so that he is removed from the position of imam. It is not permissible for anyone to lead the people in prayer except a man who is just and known for his goodness. It is not permissible for an innovator who commits shirk to lead them, saying "by the status of so-and-so." This is a bid'ah (religious innovation) and one of the means to shirk. However, if he has other matters of shirk, for example: he calls upon the prophets, or seeks aid from the Prophet, or seeks aid from the people of the House, or seeks aid from the awliya (close friends of Allah), or asks them for intercession, or asks them to cure the sick, this is major shirk. His prayer is not valid, and he should not be made an imam.
The point is: It is obligatory for the congregation—the congregation of the mosque—to report this imam to the responsible authority and request that he be replaced by a person known for his faith, justice, and uprightness. Even if he is not a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah), as long as he is an innovator known for his bid'ah, he should be removed, and efforts should be made to remove him. But if he is a Muslim, the prayer is valid, provided his bid'ah does not take him out of Islam. The prayer is valid. However, if his bid'ah takes him out of Islam, such as one who calls upon the people of the House, seeks aid from them, or believes that they know the unseen, or that they are infallible, or who insults the Companions, this person should not be taken as an imam, and one should not pray behind him. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
He says: Is it permissible to pray behind an imam who is an innovator, who seeks nearness to Allah in his supplication through the status of the prophets and the righteous, and who engages in acts of shirk (associating partners with Allah)?
Answer:
This is what causes one to leave an imam. This matter should be reported to the responsible authority so that he is removed from the position of imam. It is not permissible for anyone to lead the people in prayer except a man who is just and known for his goodness. It is not permissible for an innovator who commits shirk to lead them, saying "by the status of so-and-so." This is a bid'ah (religious innovation) and one of the means to shirk. However, if he has other matters of shirk, for example: he calls upon the prophets, or seeks aid from the Prophet, or seeks aid from the people of the House, or seeks aid from the awliya (close friends of Allah), or asks them for intercession, or asks them to cure the sick, this is major shirk. His prayer is not valid, and he should not be made an imam.
The point is: It is obligatory for the congregation—the congregation of the mosque—to report this imam to the responsible authority and request that he be replaced by a person known for his faith, justice, and uprightness. Even if he is not a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah), as long as he is an innovator known for his bid'ah, he should be removed, and efforts should be made to remove him. But if he is a Muslim, the prayer is valid, provided his bid'ah does not take him out of Islam. The prayer is valid. However, if his bid'ah takes him out of Islam, such as one who calls upon the people of the House, seeks aid from them, or believes that they know the unseen, or that they are infallible, or who insults the Companions, this person should not be taken as an imam, and one should not pray behind him. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.