Fatwa No : 2968
Is it permissible to perform Namaz behind a Ghair Muqallid Imam?

Is it permissible to perform Namaz behind a Ghair Muqallid Imam?

Assalamu Alaikum Mufti Sahib! Is it permissible to perform Namaz behind the Ghair Muqallideen ( those who do not follow a Mazhab) or no? Specially when there is no other mosque...?
Please send reply. Thanks. May Allah keep you all happy. Aameen

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Generally, the present day Ghair Muqallideen -also knows as the Ahl e Hadith- deliberately try to oppose those who adhere to a Mazhab, especially the Hanafi Mazhab, in matters that have not been agreed upon. They consider following Taqleed (i.e. following a Mazhab) to be a form of Shirk, try to rebuke and find fault with the righteous predecessors, and reject Ijma e Ummat and Qiyas as a sources for deriving Shar'ee rulings. If the attendants of the Masjid are of such a mentality, then the questioner perform his Namaz in another Masjid whose Imam adheres to proper Islamic beliefs and teachings, even though such a place may be further that the Masjid he currently attends.