Question
Do we perform Salaat behind the Imam of Newtown Musjid in Fordsburg, namely Molana Ebrahim Bham? He appears on television shaitaan; attends interfaith prayers and conferences; prayed in a church under many crosses; condones kuffaar sports; attends kuffaar sporting events. These are some of the evils he indulges in and promotes. He has studied Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi's bayaans intensively. His early talks bear testimony to this. Now we, some musallis of Newtown Musjid are in a dilemma whether to perform Salaat behind a man who knows the Shariah yet indulges openly in so many haraam activities. There are other Musjids in the locality. Should we rather perform Salaat there?
Answer
Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (rahmatullah alayh) has ruled that as far as possible one should not attend the Musjid if the Imaam is a bid'ati. Perform Salaat in another Musjid. But, if there is no nearby Musjid with a good/pious Imaam, then one should not stay away from the Musjid. Perform Salaat even behind the Bid'ati. The Salaat will be valid. It is not permissible to forgo Jamaat Salaat in the Musjid on account of the bid'ah or fisq of the Imaam The Reverend of the NNB Jamiat is effectively entangled deeply in fisq, fujoor and bid'ah. If you are able to perform Jamaat Salaat at another Musjid then do so. If it is not possible or too difficult due to the distance, then perform Salaat even behind the faasiq imaam. But, the trustees of the Musjid should understand well that they are guilty of a major sin for allowing a faasiq such as the Reverend who hovers on the brink of kufr to lead the Salaat.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 22 No 03
- PDF page
- 4
Appears under SALAAT BEHIND A FAASIQ (approximate).