• current selection in your language

WHO SHOULD LEAD THE PRAYER

349

“When people are gathered for prayer, whosoever is the most well versed in the recitation of the Koran among them should lead the prayer. However, if they are all equal in that respect, then the one who is the most well versed in the sunnah (Prophetic quotations and ways) among them. If they are all equal in that respect, then it should be the one who migrated earliest; however, if they are all equal in every respect, then the leader should be the eldest among them. No one should lead the prayer without asking the permission of the other, nor should they occupy another's seat in his house without his permission.”

We are informed:

“The first one among them to accept Islam. (This is instead of the eldest among them.)”

The leader of the prayer should be the one who is the most well versed in the Book of Allah among the congregation. However, if they are all equal in that respect, it should be the most senior migrant among them. Then, if they are all equal on that count it should be the eldest among them.

Muslim with a chain up to Uqbah son of Amr who related that the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, said this.