Q:
1. What are the qualities that a person should possess to be the imaam and lead the salaah?
2. Can a Haafiz who is known to exploit and be dishonest or is a substance abuser lead salaah; fardh or Taraaweeh Salaah?
A:
1. The imaam should be a person who has proper knowledge of the masaa’il of salaah, the times of salaah and tahaarat. It is not necessary for him to be an Aalim, though it is better. He should be muttaqi, pious and upright and not someone who has evil habits and ways. He should also be able to recite the Quraan Majeed correctly with tajweed.
2. Such a person should not be appointed as an imaam.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
(والأحق بالإمامة) تقديما بل نصبا مجمع الأنهر (الأعلم بأحكام الصلاة) فقط صحة وفسادا بشرط اجتنابه للفواحش الظاهرة وحفظه قدر فرض وقيل واجب وقيل سنة (ثم الأحسن تلاوة) وتجويدا (للقراءة ثم الأورع) أي الأكثر اتقاء للشبهات والتقوى اتقاء المحرمات (الدر المختار 1/557)
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