Following a Non-Muqallid in Prayer

Question

Will the prayer behind a non-muqallid (one who follows no madhhab) count as the discharge of the fard or not? Also, what is the creed (‘aqida) of a non-muqallid?

Answer

Some non-muqallids are fair-minded, without harshness or fanaticism. If they are qualified for imamate and lead the prayer while observing the Hanafi madhhab, then a Hanafi’s prayer behind them is valid; if they do not observe the Hanafi madhhab, it is not valid; and if nothing is known about whether they observe it or not, it is makruh.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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