“ Fatwa concerning Doing Sal?t behind an Im?m who is an ... innovator in Religion or who lets his Iz?r down” ... By: Shaikh Abdul Aziz Ibn B?z.

The Shaikh was asked: ‘Is the Sal?t done behind an Im?m who is an innovator or who lets his garment down valid?’

‘Yes, the Sal?t behind an Im?m who is an innovator or the one who lets his Iz?r down is valid. This opinion is the preponderated one amongst those of the ‘Ulamah’s. In case the Im?m’s innovation in religion is of the kind that gets him out of the realm of Isl?m, then doing Sal?t behind him is invalid.

Those responsible of appointing Im?ms should do their best in appointing those who are pure of any act or belief of deviation or innovation for leading people in Sal?t is indeed a great trust entrusted to those appointed as Im?ms whom people take as their example.

Letting garments down is like other sins that should be abandoned totally for the prophet ( - ) said: ‘The part of the foot the Iz?r covers below the ankles is in Hell Fire [i.e. It will be burnt in Hell]’. (1) Al-Bukh?r? narration.

The Qam?s, Sar?w?l and the Bisht and the like all fall under this ruling. The prophet ( - ) said: ‘Three [Kinds of] people to whom All?h ( - ) will not talk [with pleasurable speech] nor look at [with mercy and kindness] on the Day of Qiy?ma [Resurrection] , nor will He ( - ) purify them and theirs will be painful punishment (they are): the one who lets his garment down, the reminder of charities, and the trader who delivers false oaths in order to sell his goods’. (2) Muslim Narration.