Avoiding the Congregation Because of a Personal Grudge

Question

Some people, because of a personal grudge, do not pray behind their imam, and they also incite the other worshippers [to do the same], saying: “Since our heart is not clean [towards him], our prayer is not valid.” Is this conduct of theirs correct?

Answer

This is wrong. Not keeping one’s heart clean towards the imam, although bad, does not prevent the prayer from being valid — it does not become fasid (invalid).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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