Is it permissible for an Imam, who is a government employee, to deputize someone else to lead people in prayer even if the latter has more religious knowledge than him, and what`s the proof of this?
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allah The Lord of the Worlds and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
All perfect praise be to Allah The Lord of the Worlds and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
If the Imam asks the permission of his employer to deputize someone to lead people in some prayers and times, then there is no harm in that so long as he is keen on fulfilling his duties and responsibilities in the best manner.
However, if the Imam violated the regulations set by his employer and deputized someone else to lead the prayers in his place without securing a private or a public permission, then he is negligent and blameworthy. This is because he receives a salary against his leading the people in prayers, and not against deputizing someone else to do his job. A true believer is one who fulfills covenants and shoulders the duties and responsibilities of his job in a manner that pleases Allah. And Allah knows best.