Ways of The Prophet (S.A.W)

THE RIGHT AND DUTY OF THE IMAM

Hadrat Abdullah bin Umar (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the Prophet said: Make those your Imam who are the best among you, for they are your representatives before ALLAAH. [Daraqutni, Baihaqi]

Hadrat Abu Masud Ansari (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated ALLAAH’s messenger as saying, “The one of you who is most versed in ALLAAH’s Book should act as Imam for the people; but if they are equally versed in reciting it, then the one who has most knowledge regarding the Sunnah, if they are equal regarding the Sunnah, then the earliest of them to emigrate, if they emigrated at the same time, then the oldest of them. No man must lead another in Salaah where the later has authority, or sit in his place of honour in his house, without his permission.” [Muslim]

Hadrat Abdullah lbn Umar (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the Prophet said: Whoever leads Salaah must fear ALLAAH and realize that he is responsible for the Salaah performed by his muqtadis (followers). He will be questioned about his responsibility. If he led the Salaah well, he will get a reward equal to the total reward of all the muqtadis (followers) without any thing being diminished from their (muqtadis) reward, if there is any error or deficiency in the Salaah, its responsibility will be on the Imam. [Mujam, Tabarani, Ma’rif -ul- Hadis]