Q: Can I pray Salaah behind an ahle hadith imam? Is the Salaah valid?
A. There are two types of Ahle Hadeeth. One is the Ahle Hadeeth who does not insult the Imams of the four math-habs, believes in Taqleed though he does not subscribe to it, and maintains general respect for the math-habs. The other type is the Ahle Hadeeth who views Taqleed as shirk, oppose the great Imams and speak disparagingly about them. It is permissible to read Salaah behind the first type of Ahle Hadeeth on condition that he does not commit an act in Wudhu or Salaah that renders the Wudhu or Salaah of the Muqtadi invalid. It is not permissible to appoint the second type of Ahle Hadeeth as Imam for Salaah, and people should avoid offering their Salaah behind such an Imam.
Prepared by: Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai