The one who performs all five prayers should be appointed imam for Jumu‘a

Question

Of the imams of two mosques, one prays four of the daily prayers every day, but does not pray the morning prayer [on time] — he prays it as qada’ (make-up); the other imam regularly keeps to all five prayers. Which of these two imams should be chosen for the Jumu‘a prayer, and which of them is more excellent?

Answer

It is precisely the one who performs all five prayers on time, and who also possesses the other qualities required for leading the prayer, who should be appointed imam for Jumu‘a. As for the one who is in the habit of missing prayers (letting them become qada’), even if he misses [the prayer of] only one time, he should not be made imam.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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