Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Badat
Question:
A Shāf’īe imām leads a group of Ḥanafīs. The Shāf’īe is a musāfir (traveller) and prays four raka’ahs for ‘Aṣr. The muqtadīs (followers) are muqīms (residents). The imām said the shāf’īes can lead 4 raka’ahs when he is a musāfir. Is the ṣalāh of the Ḥanafīs valid?
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for contacting Mathabah Institute.
The ṣalāh of the Ḥanafī resident behind the Shāf’īe traveller who leads full prayer of four raka’ahs in a congregation is valid. The congregant makes the intention to follow the intent of the imam leading the congregation. – (See: Rad Al-Muḥtār, Vol 1, Page 563, Dār Al-Fikr) “’Othman led us four raka’ahs of prayer at Minā. It was reported to ‘Abd ‘Allāh Ibn Mas’ūd and he stated, “Surely we are Allāh’s and to Him shall we return.” and then said, “I prayed with the Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings be upon him) at Minā two raka’ahs of prayer. I prayed along with Abū Bakr Ṣiddīq two raka’ahs of prayer at Minā. I prayed along with ‘Omar Ibn Khaṭṭāb two raka’ahs of prayer at Minā. I
wish I had my share of the two raka’ahs acceptable [to God] for the four raka’ahs.” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 695)
“The imam [leading prayer] is responsible [for the congregation].” – (Abū Dāwūd 517)
Only Allāh knows best
وَأَمَّا الِاقْتِدَاءُ بِالْمُخَالِفِ فِي الْفُرُوعِ كَالشَّافِعِيِّ فَيَجُوزُ مَا لَمْ يُعْلَمْ مِنْهُ مَا يُفْسِدُ الصَّلَاةَ عَلَى اعْتِقَادِ الْمُقْتَدِي عَلَيْهِ الْإِجْمَاعُ إنَّمَا اُخْتُلِفَ فِي الْكَرَاهَةِ اهـ فَقَيَّدَ بِالْمُفْسِدِ دُونَ غَيْرِهِ كَمَا تَرَى وَفِي رِسَالَةِ الِاهْتِدَاءِ فِي الِاقْتِدَاءِ لِمُنْلَا عَلِيٍّ الْقَارِئُ ذَهَبَ عَامَّةُ مَشَايِخِنَا إلَى الْجَوَازِ إذَا كَانَ يُحْتَاطُ فِي مَوْضِعِ الْخِلَافِ وَإِلَّا فَلَا – كتاب الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين رد المحتار ج١/ ص ٥٦٣ دار الفكر
حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ يَزِيدَ يَقُولُ صَلَّى بِنَا عُثْمَانُ بِمِنًى أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ فَقِيلَ ذَلِكَ لِعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ فَاسْتَرْجَعَ ثُمَّ قَالَ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِمِنًى رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَصَلَّيْتُ مَعَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ بِمِنًى رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَصَلَّيْتُ مَعَ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ بِمِنًى رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَلَيْتَ حَظِّي مِنْ أَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ رَكْعَتَانِ مُتَقَبَّلَتَانِ – رواه مسلم ٦٩٥
الإِمَامُ ضَامِنٌ – رواه أبو داؤد ٥١٧