Ruling on Minor Impurity During Congregational Prayer

Question

What should the imam and the congregants do if a minor impurity occurs during congregational prayer?

Answer 1

Peace be upon you.

Ayatollah al-Uzma Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):

If the prayer of the congregant becomes invalid, it does not affect the imam's prayer, and he should continue his prayer. However, if the congregant whose prayer has become invalid is the link between the imam and the other congregants, their congregation becomes invalid. Nevertheless, their individual prayers are valid as long as they do not perform anything that contradicts individual prayer, such as an extra bowing. In congregational prayer, if the congregant raises his head from bowing before the imam, he must return to bowing, as a precaution. Adding an extra bowing in this manner does not invalidate the prayer. However, if it turns out that their congregation is invalid due to a failure to meet the conditions for the validity of the congregation, such as distance, and they performed an extra bowing as mentioned, then their individual prayers are also invalid.

If it becomes clear that the imam's prayer is invalid after the prayer due to a failure in the conditions for being an imam, then your prayer and the prayers of the congregants are valid.

If the imam's prayer becomes invalid during the congregation, the congregants must complete their prayers individually, and their prayers are valid whether or not they performed an extra pillar as mentioned. They may also appoint one of them or someone else to lead them in prayer, provided he meets the conditions for being an imam.

Source: Minhaj al-Salihin - Vol. 1 - Conditions for Validating Congregation - M 804 + Conditions for the Imam of the Congregation, M 809 + Rules of Congregation - M 818 + Rules of Intention in Congregation, M 781

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Ayatollah al-Uzma Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):

If the prayer of the congregant becomes invalid, it does not affect the validity of the imam's prayer. If the imam's prayer becomes invalid during the congregational prayer, the congregation is invalid, and the congregants must complete their prayers individually, and their prayers are valid even if some of them performed an extra pillar, as that was their duty. Yes, the congregants may appoint one of them (who meets the conditions for leading the congregation) to continue their prayer behind him.

Note:

In cases where the extra pillar performed by the congregant does not affect the congregational prayer, if it becomes clear that the congregation is invalid, this does not affect their individual prayers either, as mentioned, except in one case: if they fail to intend to follow the imam of the congregation, such as if they intended to follow a specific person, like Ali, and it turns out that the imam is not Ali. In this case, if they performed an extra pillar, their individual prayer would also be invalid.

Source: Fiqh al-Wali - Rules of Congregational Prayer (1) - Invalidity of the Imam's Prayer + Message on Prayer and Fasting, Prayer, Congregational Prayer, Conditions of Congregational Prayer, M 125 + Duties of the Congregant Regarding Following, M 731

May you be successful in all good.