Chapter on Imamate

It is permissible to follow in prayer any upright adult Muslim—whether free or enslaved—provided he does not mispronounce the Mother of the Qur’an (Sūrah al-Fātiḥah) in a way that alters its meaning.

It is not permissible to pray behind a woman, an intersex person of indeterminate status, a non-believer, someone insane, or an illiterate who cannot recite al-Fātiḥah correctly. None of these may serve as imam under any circumstances, except that an illiterate person may lead another who is equally illiterate. An illiterate person may not lead someone who can recite, and an intoxicated person may not lead even another intoxicated person.

The resident (regular) imam should be chosen from those who are jurists, well-versed in the rulings of prayer, proficient in Qur’an recitation, and free of innovations and major sins. In his own home, the owner of the house has the greatest claim to lead the prayer—provided he knows how to perform it properly—whether or not he is a jurist. No one should precede him in leading the prayer in his residence without his permission.

A slave is not to lead the Friday prayer, and according to Mālik and most of his companions, a slave should not be appointed as a regular imam. Some scholars of Medina, however, allow it.

When praying behind an imam, the congregant is excused from reciting al-Fātiḥah if he catches the imam in bowing and joins him before the imam raises his head; he is likewise excused from saying, “Allah hears those who praise Him.”