I have read in Aqeedatut Tahaawi and also in Mullah Ali Qaari's commentary of Fiqhul Akbar that the Ahlus Sunnah perform Salaat behind a man even if h

Answer

What you have read in Aqeedatut Tahaawi and Fiqhul Akbar is correct. That is the belief and practice of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah. It is the official position.

Regarding Az-Zabeedi's statement, firstly, it does not say that Salaat behind the Ahl-e-Bid'ah is invalid. It says: 'La yajooz' which does not mean 'invalid'. The statement says that one should not perform Salaat behind them.

Secondly, his advice is in conflict with the Jamhoor Fuqaha of the Ahnaaf. Thus, we do not make amal on the obscure and rare opinion. Whilst we do not intentionally seek out a Bid'ati to follow in

AQEEDAH QUESTIONS - 26 -

Salaat, nevertheless if we are in a situation where the Imaam is from among the Ahl-e-Hawa (people of nafsaani desire/deviates), then we do not perform our Salaat alone. We join the Jamaat. In Musjidul Haraam in Makkah, and in Musjidun Nabawi in Madinah, the Imaams are generally Salafi. We join the Jamaat and perform Salaat behind them, and this is in accord with the Aqeedah stated in all our kutub of Aqeedah as you are aware. Thus, you may not utilize Az-Zabeedi's version to cancel the clear-cut ruling of the Jamhoor Fuqaha of the Ahnaaf.

Salafis (Wahhaabis) are astray, but they are Muslims. We perform Salaat even behind them. However, if a Salafi who makes masah on ordinary socks leads the Salaat, and if we are aware of it, then we repeat the Salaat we had performed behind him, not because we believe him to be a kaafir, but because his wudhu is not valid.