Is the Prayer Invalid behind [an Imam] outside the Four Communities?

Question

The fatwa that Mawlana Thanawi ﵀ once gave, [stating] that the prayer is not valid behind [a person of] any community other than four — that fatwa is in a certain man’s possession. Is the prayer really not valid? If it is not valid, please explain in detail. And that same man says that if, instead of the imamate, one practises the trade of a Bhangi (a caste of sweepers and latrine cleaners), that is better than the imamate. Is he a fasiq? If so, of what degree? Please explain in detail.

Answer

One in whom the qualities of the imamate are present — his imamate is valid, whatever community he may be from. The honourable Mawlana Thanawi ﵀ has no such fatwa that the prayer is not valid behind [a person of] any community other than four.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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