WHO SHOULD BE AN IMAM

Assalāmu `alaikum Warahmatullāhi Wabrakatuh,
The one who is most knowledgeable about the rules of salah in terms of distinguishing
what practices validate and invalidate the salah, what are the Sunnah and Makrooh acts
of salah, etc. and is at the same time proficient in reciting the required Qirat correctly
without committing major Tajweed mistakes should lead the salah. [1]
Furthermore, it is not necessary that the aforementioned Imam be an expert in his style
of recitation, that he has a prolific memory and memorized a major portion of the
Quran, or that he be acquainted with the other various fields of Deen. [2]
(Hashiyatut Tahtawi Ala Maraqil Falah, Pg. 299, Qadeemi Kutub Khana; Imdaadul Fattah
Sharhu Nurul Iedaah Wanajatil Arwaah Pg.340, Beirut)
In the terminology of the Shariah, Fisq signifies ‘going beyond the circle of obedience to
Allah, or transgressing the commandments of Allah’. According to the Fuqaha, a Faasiq
refers to one who commits a major sin and does not repent, or persists on committing
minor sins and makes it a habit. On the other hand, one who commits such sins publicly
and openly without being ashamed of it is called a Fajir.
(Ma’ariful Quran English, Pg. 152, Vol. 1, Maktaba e Darul Uloom - Karachi)
If a person is best suited to lead the salah based on him being the most knowledgeable,
but has signs of Fisq on him; for example, he shaves his beard, etc. then he will be
disqualified from leading the salah. To avoid any confusion and dispute as to who is
most qualified to lead the salah, the responsibility of appointing an Imam should be left
with the Ameer. The Ameer is bound to appoint an Imam based on the above mentioned
criteria.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Maulana Zeyad Danka
Student, Darul Iftaa
South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Muftī Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net