The Imamate of an Imam Who Will Not Reconcile with a Follower

Question

Some quarrel took place between an imam and a muqtadi (follower). On Friday the matter was brought forward, and it was decided that the fault lay with neither [alone], but that it was a lapse on the part of both, so they should make peace, since in rank the imam is senior and in age the muqtadi is senior; therefore both should shake hands. But despite the entreaties of the whole village, the regular imam did not shake hands. Is the prayer of this muqtadi behind this regular imam valid or not?

Answer

The prayer of this muqtadi — indeed of all the muqtadis — behind him has certainly been valid. But this manner of conduct is not good for the imam: it is very wrong and extremely disapproved. When a person holds out his hand to shake hands and wants to make peace, and all the people of the settlement also wish it, the imam should not act like this.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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