Question
Assalamu Alaikum,
I performed a congregational prayer with one person. Soon after I realized that I had no whudu. However, the other person was leading the prayer. Is his prayer still valid? This was in University so I may not see that person again. I have prayed that prayer again.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The validity of the Salaah of the Muqtadi (follower in Salaah) does not affect the Salaah of the Imam.[i] Hence, the Salaah of the Imam will be valid.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Nabeel Valli.
Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah
Lusaka, Zambia
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[i] بدائع الصنائع في ترتيب الشرائع (1/ 225)
وَفَسَادُ صَلَاةِ الْمُقْتَدِي لَا تُؤَثِّرُ فِي فَسَادِ صَلَاةِ الْإِمَامِ، وَلِفَسَادِ صَلَاةِ الْإِمَامِ أَثَرٌ فِي فَسَادِ صَلَاةِ الْمُقْتَدِي