Prayer: Do You Need the Imam’s Permission to Pray Behind Them, and Can You Begin Prayer Behind Someone Who Is Themselves a Follower?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Prayer: Do You Need the Imam’s Permission to Pray Behind Them, and Can You Begin Prayer Behind Someone Who Is Themselves a Follower?

English:

Question #571:

Does one need to acquire the permission of the person behind whom one wants to pray? Can one perform or start his prayer behind a follower — i.e. a person who is himself being led in the prayer?

Answer #571:

One does not need the permission of the prayer Imam to follow him in the prayer. It is not correct to start one’s prayer behind a follower, while he continues to be a follower.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Prayer