Question:
Assalam O Alaikum,
Shaykh, I read your response for one of the post and it was quite disturbing for me.
The question was about praying behind salafi Imam and it was answered that prayer can be offered behind salafi Imam.
I was talking to one of murid and he told me that he doesn’t go to that masjid and doesn’t pray behind that Imam (even Sunni Imam) because when Maulana Hisham came here, he didn’t give him a proper respect.
And I am thinking that we are talking about Imam of Imams (Peace and Blessings upon Him), how can we pray behind the salafis who disrespect Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu alahey wasllam).
I hope Maulana will expain this in more detail.
JazakaAllah.
Answer:
`Alaykum as-Salam,
The reply means that the prayer is valid, not that it is recommended. The Companions prayed behind the Khawarij who considered it a religious duty to murder the Sahaba and made takfir of them, and considered that Prophets can commit kaba’ir. Yet Ibn `Umar (Allah be well-pleased with him and his father) said: “When someone says Hayya `ala al-Salat I do not care whom I pray behind; I respond to my Lord’s command.” The Salat is between you and your Lord; you are not going to the Jama`ah for anything else. Then, when you are done, withdraw quickly for you have your reward, and do not stay behind for any interaction.
The Prophet upon him blessings and peace said “Make things easy, not difficult;” so if one seeks the blessing of Jama`ah it is easy, and if one seeks to protect one’s spiritual state in case the Jama`ah disturbs him then that is easy also, and Allah knows our position and accepts our niyyah in either case in sha Allah. Please do not insist further on this topic, and Allah knows best.
Hajj Gibril Haddad
