and we speak of their virtues, recount their noble deeds, and withhold ourselves from delving into the disputes that arose among them. They are the finest people on earth after their Prophet: Allah—exalted is He—selected them for His Messenger and fashioned them as supporters of His religion. Accordingly, they are the leaders of the faith and the standard-bearers of the Muslims. May Allah’s mercy be upon them all.

Prayer is to be performed behind the imams, jihad is to be undertaken alongside them, and the pilgrimage is to be carried out with them.

18 – A person must not omit attending the Friday Prayer and performing it in congregation with both the righteous and the sinful of this community, so long as the imam is free of innovation; but if he introduces a misguided innovation, then there is no prayer behind him.