Question:The correctness of the prayer leader's recitation is a condition for leading the congregation in prayer. It is not permissible to follow someone who does not recite well. So, is it permissible to follow someone who does not recite well, with the understanding that the prayer is not valid and the person must repeat it later? Knowing that following the leader is done for some benefit, such as the hope of gaining reward or increasing the number of worshippers?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the benefits of praying in congregation are only attained when the congregation is valid, and the prayer is not valid behind someone who does not recite well. Allah knows best.

Question:If a person does not consider himself just, either because he does not possess justice in reality or for some other reason, is it permissible for him to lead the congregation in prayer if the congregants believe him to be just? And if he does lead the prayer, will he have committed a sin?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is not permissible for him to lead the prayer in the scenario you described. Rather, he should avoid doing so with a valid and reasonable excuse. Allah knows best.

Question:Should congregational prayer be relatively quick to make it easier for the elderly and not be a burden on them?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is recommended to keep the prayer light, meaning not to overdo the recommended acts and not to prolong the obligatory acts. Allah knows best.

Question:A certain mosque guard expels worshippers from the mosque and does not allow them to enter under the pretext of COVID-19, although the number is small, the mosque is large, and only those who want to enter are allowed. Everything has returned to its normal state except for this mosque. Is this action correct?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is incumbent upon the responsible authority to fulfill its duty and to alert the mosque manager that there is no objection to opening the mosque while adhering to the medical directives regarding this matter, as we have emphasized in our previous statement regarding serving the believers. Allah is the Guide.

Question:In the congregational prayer, if the follower raises his head from bowing before the leader and remains standing intentionally without returning to bowing to follow the leader, is it ruled that their congregation is invalidated?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the congregation is not invalidated by such an action because the follower in this situation has the choice between two options: either returning to bow to follow the leader or waiting for him to prostrate. Allah knows best.

Question:I pray in a mosque, but I do not believe that the leader of the prayers is a just man. However, if I leave the congregation prayer, the people who pray there will notice that. This might be bad for the leader and make the praying people separate into two parts. My question is: Is it permissible to pray behind him without the intention of a congregational prayer?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is permissible, provided that all the conditions of the prayer are met as is required. Allah knows best.

Question:To rectify the congregational prayer of women with men, if women were next to men, there must be a barrier between the two parties. Is it conditional that this barrier to be obstructive of vision or to be at a certain height?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is conditional that this barrier is to be obstructive of vision. Allah knows best.

Question:If the leader of congregational prayer does not show the Arabic sound “Hamza” [glottal stop] in the pronunciation of the word “A’naamta” and does not apply one of the rules of the Quranic recitation which is “Med” (extension of the long vowel [a:] ) in the word “Aldhaleen”, but he extends the words Ahad or Alsamad. Is it right to follow this leader in prayer?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is not permissible to follow him whether he is able to learn the right pronunciation or not. Allah knows best.

Question:Knowing the rewards of the congregational prayer, if a person prays individually while he is certain of the prayer leader’s correctness in terms of reciting the prayer and of being a just prayer leader, would such a person be regarded as underestimating the congregational prayer and as a sinner?

Answer:In the name of Allah, definitely, he underestimates the congregational prayer, if he leaves it out of underestimation. Allah is the All Guide and Knowing.

Question:In congregational prayer, if the traveler who prays a shortened prayer stands in the first line when performing the Tasleem part of the prayer, is the time between finishing Tasleem and joining the congregational prayer again regarded as a disconnection from the Imam, where his tasleem causes removing the connection of those who are connected to the Imam (leader in a congregational prayer) through him?

Answer:In the name of Allah, there is no doubt that the tasleem of the traveller as in the question is considered a disconnection from the Imam and this will cause the disconnection of those who are connected through him.