his prayer is invalid; but if he was ignorant or forgetful, only that particular rakʿah is invalid. If he bows and rises before his imam, and then goes down in prostration before the imam has risen, the prayer is nullified—except for the ignorant or forgetful, who must repeat that rakʿah as a make-up.

It is recommended for the imam¹ to keep the prayer light while still complete, to make the first rakʿah longer than the second, and to wait for a late-comer so long as doing so does not burden a congregant.

When a woman² asks permission to go to the mosque, it is disliked to stop her, though praying in her home is better for her.

Section

The one most entitled to lead the prayer is the most proficient reciter who also knows the jurisprudence of the prayer; next comes the one of deeper legal understanding, then the eldest, then the one of higher lineage³, then the one who migrated earlier, then the more God-fearing, then the one chosen by lot, and the resident of the house. The appointed imam of the mosque has priority unless a ruler is present. A free man, a townsman, a resident, one with sight, one who is circumcised⁴, and one who has proper clothing each takes precedence over their respective opposites.

The prayer is not valid behind an openly sinful person, just as it is not valid behind an unbeliever; nor may a woman or an intersex person⁵ lead men, a boy lead an adult⁶, a mute⁷ lead, or anyone unable to bow, prostrate, sit, or stand—save for the neighborhood’s regular imam whose ailment is expected to pass; in that case they pray behind him while seated.