Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
What if my imam recites his suras in reverse order? Given that doing so is prohibitively disliked, does it mean I should just pray alone?
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
The condition for it being prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman) to recite in reverse order is that it be done deliberately. If another person does it, one simply assumes that they did it unawares, because it is one’s duty to interpret the actions of others in the best light, as the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) told us in many hadiths.
Imam Karkhi summarized Prophetic guidance in a fiqh principle:
The basis is that one must interpret the actions of those morally responsible in a manner that would render them sound and proper.
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani