If there are a group of men who want to make a Jamaat, how do they select who the Imam should be, in other words, is there a checklist as to who qualifies to lead the Salaat?
Question
The first item would probably be, one who knows by heart, the most Qur?an, and so on?
Answer
The most preferred verdict is that most knowledgeable will lead the Salat.
Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'The most well versed in recitation of the Qur'aan is Ubayy ibn Ka'ab (Radhiallaahu Anhu)' but despite that Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) appointed Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Anhu) who was the most knowledgeable to lead the Salaat. (Tirmidhi pg.55). If there is no knowledgeable person, then the most wellversed in recitation, then the most pious, then the eldest, then the best of them in character.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
- Answered by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah (AskImam). It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta directly.