Is it permissible to adopt Sheikh Al-Albani's fatwa regarding the validity of prayer behind an imam who makes grammatical errors in recitation, based on the Prophet's (PBUH) saying: "They lead you in prayer; if they are correct, it is for you and for them, and if they err, it is for you and against them"?
A grammatical error (Lahn) in reciting Al-Fatiha does not invalidate following an Imam unless it alters the meaning. Some later jurists have made concessions for the common folk regarding letters with close points of articulation. The : "They (Imams) lead you in prayer; if they are correct, it is for you (the reward), and if they err, it is for you and against them," is authentic. This Hadith has been interpreted in several ways, including: an error in time, an error outside of prayer, the validity of praying behind an innovator, or behind someone who omits a duty or condition based on an interpretation. However, praying behind someone who omits a condition or a pillar without any interpretation, while the follower is aware of this, is not valid.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/111774
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 111774
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy