What is the ruling on praying behind an Imam who stutters when reciting the Surah after Al-Fatiha, and nothing he says can be understood?
If the Imam recites Al-Fatiha correctly, but stutters or unintentionally makes a mistake in the surah that follows, his prayer is valid. The Sunnah is that the one who has the best recitation of the Book of Allah should be put forward to lead the prayer. If they are equal in recitation, then the most knowledgeable of the Sunnah. If they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then the earliest in emigration (Hijra). If they are equal in emigration, then the earliest in embracing Islam. Therefore, only the skilled reciter should lead the prayer, and no one else should come forward to lead when such a person is present.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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