What is the ruling on praying behind an Imam who makes a meaning-altering mistake in reciting Al-Fatiha, and there are reprehensible innovations in the mosque after the prayer?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If someone makes an error in reciting Al-Fatihah that changes its meaning, their prayer is invalid, whether they are an Imam or a follower. They must learn Al-Fatihah and correct their recitation. It is not permissible for someone who recites it correctly to pray behind them. However, if the error does not change the meaning, their prayer is valid, but it is better to pray behind someone who does not make mistakes. Also, repeating "Ya Latif" a hundred times is an innovation (bid'ah).
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/11863
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 11863
- 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