Question: If someone were to say: “Suppose the more distant mosque has better Quran recitation, and I attain a degree of humility and attentiveness there that I would not attain if I prayed in the mosque near me. Is it then better for me to go there and leave my own mosque, or the reverse?”

The answer: What appears correct to me, according to the general principle, is that a virtue connected to the act of worship itself takes precedence over a virtue connected to its location. It is well known that if one is more humble and attentive there, then it is better to go to it—especially if the imam of one’s own mosque rushes through the prayer, frequently makes errors in recitation, or the like—matters which warrant a person leaving his mosque because of them.

It is unlawful to lead the prayer in a mosque that has a regular imam without his permission or a valid excuse.......

His statement: “It is unlawful to lead the prayer in a mosque before its regular imam.”

That is, it is unlawful for someone to act as imam in a mosque that has a regular imam—that is, one appointed by the authorities or appointed by the residents of the neighborhood, the mosque’s neighbors. For he has the greatest right to lead its prayers, due to the Prophet’s saying, peace and blessings be upon him: “No man should lead another man in prayer within his domain of authority.” (1) It is well known that the imam of the mosque possesses authority over it. The prohibition here indicates that it is unlawful; thus, it is not permissible for a person to lead the prayer in a mosque that has a regular imam except with the imam’s permission or due to his excuse.

Not only is this entailed by the hadith, but it is also required by the principles of Islamic law. For if a person were permitted to lead the prayer in a mosque that has a regular imam without his permission or excuse, it would lead to disorder and dispute.

His statement: “Except with his permission,” means: unless he has delegated authority to him specifically or by a general authorization