Which of the two is more worthy of leading the prayer (Imamate): the one who has memorized more of the Qur'an and has greater knowledge of the Sunnah (wearing a shirt and trousers), or the one who has memorized less and makes many mistakes and forgets often (wearing a thobe and a turban), knowing that there are no others besides them? And is it disliked to pray behind an Imam who wears a shirt and trousers?

The most worthy of leading the prayer is the one who recites the Book of Allah best among the people. If they are equal in recitation, then the one who emigrated earliest. Then, the oldest in age. "The one who recites best" means the one who has memorized the most of the Quran. If the one who has memorized the most wears loose clothing that does not describe the limbs, then he is most worthy of leading the prayer. However, if his clothes are tight and describe the limbs, then in that case, the one who has memorized less is more worthy, provided his mistakes in recitation do not invalidate the prayer. This is because tight clothing is disliked and evokes dislike from the congregants. The Maliki jurists have stated that if the one most worthy of leading the prayer wears something that prevents people from following him or makes it disliked, his right to lead is forfeited.