Imamate of a Cotton-Carder

Question

Zayd belongs to the cotton-carder caste, yet he is more capable of leading the prayer than the other people there. He sometimes leads the prayer as imam, but people regard him as a lower-grade Muslim and avoid following him. Is it right to avoid him like this? Does Islam give any standing to caste? Can taking up the trade of cotton-carding, or any trade of this kind, make a Muslim’s lineage high or low?

Answer

The trade of cotton-carding, when practised honestly, is not impermissible; to regard it as contemptible and base is wrong and contrary to the Shari‘a. If someone possesses the qualities required for imamate, it is not at all right to avoid following him because of his trade.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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