The imamate and tarawih of one who does not fast because of an excuse

Question

Zayd leads the prayer in a village; he is regular in fasting and prayer. This year, because of illness, he did not fast, but he kept leading the prayer and also led the tarawih. Someone said that the imam cannot lead the tarawih because he is not fasting. Now, in this village and its surroundings there is no man fit to lead the prayer. In this situation, will it be permissible for Zayd to lead?

Answer

Allah Most Pure has granted one who cannot fast because of illness a respite to fast later; He has not declared him a wrongdoer such that his imamate should be deemed impermissible: [ar]فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ[/ar] “But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then a number of other days” (Surah al-Baqara, 2:184).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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