We hold that the prescribed prayers are to be performed behind every member of the qiblah-community, whether he is upright or sinful, and that the funeral prayer is to be offered for any of them who die.

…in danger; I am knowledgeable and I pray.’ Yes—you do possess knowledge and you do pray, praise be to Allah—but you are still at risk and must remain fearful. Are you better than Abraham, upon him be peace, who said, “And keep me and my children from worshipping idols” [Ibrahim 35]? Abraham feared for himself the peril of idol-worship, even though he was the one who smashed the idols with his own hands and endured torment and humiliation for Allah’s sake. Yet he still said, “And keep me and my children from worshipping idols” [Ibrahim 35]; he did not say, “I am now safe.” Rather, he asked Allah to protect him and his children from worshipping idols. A person must therefore live in constant awe of his Lord. How many who were guided later went astray, how many who were upright swerved, how many believers disbelieved and apostatized—and how many who were astray did Allah guide, how many disbelievers embraced Islam. The entire matter rests in Allah’s hand.

This discussion contains two issues:

First: Prayer is an act of righteousness and benevolence. When people—especially those in authority—observe it, they are performing good and virtuous deeds. Refusing to pray behind them leads to grave harm: splintering the ranks, fracturing the unity of the community, and spilling blood. This is a serious danger that must be warded off. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Pray behind anyone who says, ‘There is no god