Imamate of a man who has no wife

Question

Zayd and his brother are both middle-aged, but they have neither wives nor children. Zayd’s excuse is: “A wife could neither serve my mother, nor understand her temperament, nor get along with her; therefore I do not marry.” In such a case, is our prayer valid or not? Zayd had been married, but his wife died long ago. Can he lead the prayer in such a state? And if Zayd was never married at all, is it right for him to lead the prayer in such a state or not?

Answer

If their character, habits and deeds are in accordance with the sunna, then this circumstance is no obstacle to their imamate; prayer behind them is valid.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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