What is the ruling on feigning prayer behind an imam who seeks aid from the dead, and is this considered major shirk if the motive is shyness from people and not seeking the countenance of Allah?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Firstly: It is not permissible to pray behind someone who seeks help from the dead and supplicates to them instead of Allah.
Secondly: If a person enters the mosque and someone who is not fit to lead the prayer steps forward, and one fears discord, it is permissible to pray individually, conforming with the Imam in bowing, prostrating, standing, and sitting. One would have the intention of praying alone, and their prayer would be valid. Alternatively, one could pray with the Imam with the intention that this prayer will not be counted, and then repeat it. Both options are permissible.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/11591
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 11591
- 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