Qualities of the Imaam

Who has the right to perform the Salaah

Q:

  1. List the circumstances under which an Imam who is the most knowledgeable may in his own presence permit a man of lesser knowlege to be Imam for that Salaah; meaning that how is it possible for an Aalim to permit a hafiz to be Imam when the more knowledgeable person has the responsibility by virtue of his greater knowledge to correctly be the appropriate Imam?
  2. Does the Imaamat of the unappointed Imaam, despite it being out of place, does the Salaah of such an Imaam and that of those musallees following such an unappointed Imaam, become an invalid or null and void Salaah?

The person that is most capable should lead the Salaah

Q: Narrated Abu Huraira (raziallahuanhu): Allah's Apostle (sallalahualaywasallam) said, "If the Imam leads the prayer correctly then he and you will receive the rewards but if he makes a mistake (in the prayer) then you will receive the reward for the prayer and the sin will be his. [Volume 1, Book 11, Number 663: Bukhaari]

Respected Scholars,

I am in Nigeria of an Indian origin and where I stay we have an small Masjid over there for daily prayer except Juma salah. Most of the time Imam travel as he is not the permanent Imam of the masjid, so in his absence, people always request me to lead the salah. I found myself not very good to recite Qur'an with Tajweed. Based on the above hadith I am scared that am I doing correct or not.

My intention to lead the salah is to establish deen and the commandment of Allah swt at my level best.