Is it permissible for a person afflicted with obsessive-compulsive disorder (waswās) to lead the prayer (imām) if he informs the congregants of his condition? And what should one do who encounters a similar situation where he interrupted his prayer while leading the people and did not inform them of it?
Leading the prayer (Imamah) for someone afflicted with Waswas (obsessive whispering) is disliked by some scholars. The Waswas concerning the intention (niyyah) should have been ignored. The prayer of the congregants is not invalidated if the Imam afflicted with Waswas cuts his prayer, nor is he required to inform them of this, because it is a hidden reason that does not prevent the validity of following him. This person should turn away from Waswas and ignore it completely.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/145880