Imaamat of an individual who hides his Aqeeda

Ala Hazrat was once asked about the Imaamat of an individual who, when asked about his Aqeedah (beliefs), conceals it and doesn’t mention it [his Aqeedah].

Question:

An Imam who when asked about his Aqaaid remains silent; can he be followed in Imaamat?

Answer:

An individual who does not reveal his Aqeedah and Mazhab when asked, it is apparent that he has something to hide. Otherwise, is the religion a thing to hide?

This individual should not be followed in Imaamat as there is a very high chance of the Salah being void. Salah is the greatest of the Faraaid (obligatory acts), therefore one should be cautious [in matters pertaining to Salah]. Hence, Muhaqqiq Alal Itlaq says in Fathul Qadeer:

‘If there is one reason for Salah to be void and many reasons for it to be valid, the rule will be that it is invalid.’

(Fatawa Razwiyyah, volume 6, page 574 & 575)

Translated by Muhammad Kalim (Preston)

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