SECTION ON PRAYER · 64 – THE LEADERSHIP OF RIGHTEOUS AND TRANSGRESSING INDIVIDUALS
Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “It is obligatory upon a Muslim to perform the obligatory prayer behind one who is righteous and one who is sinful, even if he has committed a major sin.”
EXPLANATION: Prayer has been performed behind a sinful Muslim. It is better to pray behind one who is pious.
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would leave the son of Umm Maktum in his place, and he would lead [the people] in prayer.
EXPLANATION
Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum was unable to go to war due to his blindness.
There remained no able-bodied men in Medina; they all went out on expeditions. The Messenger of the Universe ﷺ appointed Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum, who had a disability, to lead [prayer] for the weak, the elderly, and those with excuses.
According to the Hanafi school of thought, it is disliked (makruh) for a person with sight to be led by one who is blind. According to Imam al-Shafi’i, it is not disliked for a blind person to lead prayer.
Al-Ghazali says that he performs his prayers with greater presence of mind because his eyes do not see; therefore, he is suitable to lead [prayer]. (Nayl al-Ibtar) According to the Hanafi, Maliki and Hanbali schools, it is better for one who has sight to lead. (Al-Man Hel, vol. 4, p. 318)