['Aalim Network QR] Salaatul Jamaa`ah - Qualifications of the Imam

[Mustafa Rawji <mrawji@sciborg.uwaterloo.ca>]

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|       In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful       |\
|  Greeting of Allah be upon Muhammad and the pure members of his House |\
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Salaamun alaykum, 

	The following question on leading Namaaz-e-Jamaat was kindly 
answered by Dr. Takim.

Wasalaam,

Mustafa Rawji
Acting Moderator, ABDG-A

QUESTION:

Kindly provide answers to the following question. The reply to my questions
should be based on the rulings of Ayatollah Syed Ali Seestani.

Question: Their is a small community of Shias in Geneva and we have small
gatherings from time to time.  On such occassions when we meet we would like to
take the advantage of Jamat Namaz.  Since their is no Alim among us, my
question is whether one of us can lead the prayers ( as a Imam) while others
follow him.  Also if this is possible what should be the criteria for chossing
one among us.

Khuda Hafiz

ANSWER:

Salaamun 'Alaykum,

You do not need to be an alim to lead salat al-Jama'a. The following
conditions need to be met:

The Imam must be:

a) adult (baligh)
b) sane
c) of Ithna'asheri faith
d) Of legitimate birth
e) able to offer the prayers correctly.

Remember it is highly recommended to pray in congregation, they are 25 times
better than praying alone. Ayatullah al-Seestani states it is not
permissible to absent oneself from Jama'at prayers unduly. Do not abandon
Jama'at prayers without a justifiable excuse.

See Islamic Laws, Tawdhih'ul Masail (translat) p. 270

May Allah bless us all, May He shower His mercy on us, Amin


Liyakatali