What is the ruling on a congregational prayer led by a person who is not proficient in reciting the Qur’an, and thus made a mistake in Al-Fatiha? Is their prayer considered valid if a worshiper pulls the first imam back and steps forward to lead the prayer in his place, continuing the prayer, considering the first bowing (rak'ah) as extra, and performing sujood al-sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) after finishing the prayer?

The prayer is invalid and cannot be continued by a substitute (istikhlāf) because it becomes void when following someone who does not recite Al-Fatiha well, if others (in the congregation) have memorized it. If an unlettered person (ummī), or one who stutters (art), or one who lisps (althagh) was able to learn but did not, their prayer is invalid, and it is impermissible to follow them. However, if they were unable (to learn), for example, their tongue does not obey them, or time is short, their prayer is valid. And if someone in a similar condition follows them, their prayer is also valid. The prayer of a capable person becomes invalid if they follow someone who is incapable of performing a pillar, from the beginning and throughout. The correct view is that it is invalid to follow an unlettered person (ummī) in prayer unless the follower is also unlettered, whether the congregant knows that the imam is unlettered or is unaware of it.