What is the ruling on following disabled individuals who have a paralyzed hand or leg?
[AR_ID:5247]
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you.
Ayatollah Khamenei (may Allah protect him):
The question pertains to following in congregational prayer, and the conditions are as follows:
Regarding the Imamate of a disabled person:
A- It is not permissible for someone who cannot read properly to lead someone who can. (A person who cannot read is one who does not articulate the letters correctly, substitutes them with others, or makes grammatical errors). He can lead someone of equal or lesser reading ability.
B- A sitting person cannot lead a standing person, nor can a lying person lead a sitting person; however, he can lead someone of equal or lesser status.
C- A mute cannot lead a speaking person.
D- A person who has performed tayammum or has a bandage can lead others.
E- A disabled person cannot lead others; if the Imam is missing one of the seven body parts, such as a foot or hand, it is not permissible to follow him.
If someone follows him without knowing this legal ruling, their prayer is valid, and they do not have to repeat or make up the prayer. However, paralysis of the hand does not prevent following the person who has it.
F- If the congregational Imam can maintain stability while standing, can ensure stability and tranquility during the prayer's recitations and actions, and can perform complete bowing and prostration with all seven body parts, and can perform proper ablution, then there is no issue in others following him in prayer after confirming all other conditions of Imamate.
This is all provided that none of the seven body parts are missing, such as the hand or leg; otherwise, the prayer behind him is not valid.
G- As for those who have a paralyzed hand or leg, it is advisable to refrain from following them.
Source: Fiqh of the Guardian - Rulings on Congregational Prayer (1) + Official Site - Answers to Inquiries - Imamate of the Disabled - Q592
Ayatollah Sistani (may Allah protect him):
The question pertains to following in congregational prayer, and the conditions are as follows:
A sitting person cannot lead a standing person, but the opposite is permissible. A sitting person can lead someone of equal status, and it is strongly recommended not to follow a lying or reclining person, even if the follower is the same, and neither should they follow a standing or sitting person.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin - Vol 1 - Conditions of the Imam - M81
May you be successful in all good.