Q:
1. I would like to know what are the attributes of a person being imam and leading salaah?
2. Can a haafidh who is known to exploit and be dishonest or is a substance abuser lead salaah; fardh or taraweeh salaah?
A:
1. The imaam should be a person who has proper knowledge of the masa’il of salaah, the times of salaah and tahaarat, not necessarily an aalim, though better. He should be muttaqi, pious and upright and not someone who has evil habits and ways. He should also be able to recite the Qur’aan Shareef correctly with tajweed.
2. Such a person should not be appointed as an imaam.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)