the imam’s prayer is invalid if he does not intend to lead, or the follower’s prayer is invalid if he does not intend to follow. However, there is a difference of opinion on this issue,⦗1⦘ which becomes clear in the following cases:

The first case: the imam intends that he is a follower, while the follower intends that he is an imam. This is invalid because of the contradiction involved, and because the imam’s actions differ from those of the follower.

The second case: each of them intends that he is the imam of the other. This too is invalid because of the contradiction involved, since it is not possible for the imam to be a follower at the same time.

The third case: each of them intends that he is following the other. This too is invalid because of the contradiction involved; for if each of them intends to follow the other, then where is the imam?

The fourth case: the follower intends to follow, but the imam does not intend to lead. The follower’s prayer alone is invalid, while the first person’s prayer is valid.

An example is when someone comes upon another person praying and follows him, considering him to be his imam, while the first person had not intended to be an imam. The first person’s prayer is valid, but not the second’s, because he intended to follow someone who was not his imam. This is the madhhab, and it is one of the positions unique to it, as stated in al-Insaf.⦗2⦘

The second view on the matter is that it is valid for a person to follow someone who did not intend to lead. (556)