Friday Prayer for the Blind and His Leadership

Question

(a) Is the Friday prayer obligatory upon a blind person? (b) Can a blind person lead the Friday prayer? (c) If Friday prayer is not obligatory upon a blind person, how can he lead it for others, especially when knowledgeable people and descendants of the Prophet (Sayyids, Husaynis), who are observant in fasting and prayer, are present? If a blind person is deliberately made to lead the Friday prayer, will the reward of the prayer be diminished?

Answer

(a) According to Imam Abu Hanifa, Friday prayer is not obligatory upon a blind person. According to his two students (Abu Yusuf and Muhammad), it is obligatory if someone is available to guide him to the main mosque. It is stated: “The presence of eyesight is required.

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