Imamate of a Ma‘dhur (Excused Person)

Question

What is the ruling on the imamate of a ma‘dhur (a person with a continuous excuse)? It is written in Bihishti Gawhar (“The Heavenly Pearl”) that following one who suffers from passing wind, urinary incontinence and the like is not permissible when there is a pure (tahir) person among the followers, and if no one is pure, following him is permissible. Further, there is a person with an illness such that, when he feels it, he announces it and the prayer is repeated.

Answer

It is not permissible in any way for a pure (tahir) person to follow a ma‘dhur. Yes, it is permissible for a ma‘dhur to follow a pure person, and for one ma‘dhur to follow another ma‘dhur — provided that both suffer from one and the same excuse. If the two have different ones, it is not permissible.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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