The Imamate of a Barelvi

Question

A person holds Barelvi views. His belief is that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is the knower of the unseen (‘alim al-ghayb) and has authority over everything, and also that he ﷺ is present everywhere and all-seeing. This person also leads the prayer in a mosque. Is prayer behind this person proper or not?

Answer

This attribute belongs exclusively to Allah Most High. Ascribing this attribute to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is without evidence — indeed, it contradicts the explicit text (nass). Therefore it is not proper to appoint such a person as imam.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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