Friday 19 Ramadan 1445 - 29 March 2024
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Ruling on a smoker leading prayers

Question

Is it permissible for a person who is a smoker to lead people in prayer?

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

People should not pray behind a smoker if a better person can be found to lead the prayers. If no one better can be found, or you come and pray behind him and he is still a smoker, the prayer is still valid, in sha Allaah. The majority of scholars stated that prayer behind a faasiq (rebellious evildoer) is still valid, and if a person prays behind him he should not be told to repeat the prayer, because of the general meaning of the hadeeth: “Pray behind the one who says Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah.” (Narrated by Abu Na’eem, 1/320; al-Daaraqutni, 2/56).

 And Allaah knows best.

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Source:  Fataawa Samaahat al-Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Humayd, p. 127