[Q 736] Imam’s Mistake, Jamaat Prayer Validity

Question

If one is reading Jamaat and the Imaam makes a mistake but no one realises, will the namaz be valid for both the Imaam and muqtadis?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

When leading congregational prayer, if the Imam makes a mistake in the prayer, the ruling will be applied according to the nature of the mistake. For example, if the mistake is such that it invalidates the prayer (fasid), then the prayers of both the Imam and all the followers (muqtadis) are invalid. And if the mistake is such that it makes the prayer obligatory to repeat (wajib al-i’adah), then the prayers of both the Imam and the muqtadis are obligatory to repeat.

However, since the muqtadi is unaware, there is no sin upon him in this situation. Nor is it obligatory for him to keep investigating with the Imam after the prayer whether any mistake occurred in that prayer.

However, if the Imam was aware of the mistake and did not inform the muqtadis, he will be sinful.

Answered by: Mubashir Madani (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 10th October 2026