What is the ruling on praying behind an Imam who says "Allah Akban" instead of "Allah Akbar" in the opening Takbir (Takbirat al-Ihram), knowing that he sometimes pronounces it correctly, and it is not possible to go to another mosque?
Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 2026
Scholars differ on the validity of an althagh's imamate (leading prayer) across two opinions:
Most scholars hold that his imamate is invalid because his recitation of Al-Fatiha is incorrect, likening him to an illiterate person who cannot recite it properly.
Others maintain the validity of his imamate because he is not negligent; this is the best he can do. They cite the noble verse: "Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity" (Quran 2:286).
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen preferred the opinion that his imamate is valid, while also emphasizing caution and selecting someone free from defects if possible.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported
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