Prayer: Is It Valid to Pray Behind an Imam With Incorrect Pronunciation Without Repeating the Prayer?
Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei
Prayer: Is It Valid to Pray Behind an Imam With Incorrect Pronunciation Without Repeating the Prayer?
English:
Question #587:
Some people suggest that the recitation of some imams is not correct because either they do not pronounce some consonant letters as they are or they alter the related vowels which change the consonant letters as well. Is it correct to offer one’s prayers behind such a person without repeating it?
Answer #587:
In recitation the standard is observing the movements and sukūn of letters and originating them from their appropriate places in such a manner that the native speakers (Arabs) recognise the letter and do not confuse it with another. Observing the rules which provide betterment of pronunciation (tajwīd) is not necessary during prayer. If the follower finds that the imam’s pronunciation does not meet the specified standard and is incorrect, they cannot perform prayer behind him. If they perform prayer behind him, their prayer is not correct and it would be obligatory for them to repeat it.
-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Prayer