What is the ruling on praying behind an Imam who does not recite the Qur’an well, recites quickly with linguistic errors, and refuses to let anyone else lead the prayer, despite the presence of those who are better than him?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Praying behind an imam who errs in his recitation is valid, though disliked, unless the error is in the Fatiha and changes its meaning. If that is the case, his prayer is not sufficient. The imam must step down if he is not qualified for imamate, and he should beware of leading people who genuinely dislike him. If he is responsible for the mosque committee, that does not authorize him to lead the prayer if he is not qualified for it. He must relinquish the imamate when the Ministry of Awqaf appoints another imam, and if he prevents the appointed imam, his prayer is invalid.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/124444
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 124444
- 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