Is It Wrong to Change the Imam after the Iqama?

Answered by Ustadh Sufyan Qufi

Question

We stood for the Zuhr prayer in the prayer hall in our workplace. The substitute Imam stood, and Iqama was called. Our plant manager (the usual Imam) entered just when the Iqama finished. The substitute Imam went back and gave room to the usual Imam. Was the second Imam correct to do so?

Answer

I pray this finds you in the best of states.

The substitute Imam has done well by allowing the main Imam to lead the prayer. [Shurunbulali, Nur al-Idah]

It is safe to assume that your group chose the usual Imam for a sound reason. This entails that the usual Imam is more deserving of leading the prayer than the substitute Imam.

It would have been thus unbecoming (but not sinful) for the substitute Imam not to get back. [Shurunbuali, Maraqi al-Falah]

By doing this, the substitute Imam also avoided any potential dispute.

Allah, Most High, says: “Obey Allah and His Messenger and do not dispute with one another, or you would be discouraged and weakened.” [8.46]

Who should lead the prayer

If the owner of the place you are praying in, the appointed Imam of the place, or someone in authority is present, then this person should lead the prayer.

If not, then one who knows the most about the rulings of the prayer should lead, and then the one who knows the Qur’an best, then the most God-fearing, then the eldest, then the one with the best character, then the one with the most radiant appearance, then the one with highest lineage, then the one with the best voice, then the one with the cleanest clothes. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al Falah].

The Messenger of Allah (Blessings and Peace be upon him) has said: “The best of you should lead the prayer.” [Al-Hakim]

And Allah knows best.

[Ustadh] Sufyan Qufi
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani 

Ustadh Sufyan Qufi is an advanced seeker of knowledge, originally from Algeria, who grew up in France. He began searching far and wide for answers to the fundamental questions of life and was disappointed at the answers he found.

Then he connected with various traditional teachers and gradually connected with SeekersGuidance. He embarked on his journey of learning through the various teachers at SeekersGuidance, including his mentor Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

He studied numerous texts in Islamic Law, Theology, Hadith, and other areas with Shaykh Faraz Rabbani and other teachers, including Shaykh Abdurrahman al-Sha‘ar, Shaykh Ali Hani, and others.

He is an active instructor at SeekersGuidance and answers questions through the SeekersGuidance Answers Service.