On the Office of Leader of Prayers
It is related from Abú Masʿúd that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Let him act as leader in the prayers who knows best the recital of the Book of God; and if all be equal in reciting, then the one who knows best the laws of religion; and if they be all equal in knowledge of the laws of religion, then let that one act who was first of them in forsaking his home for the sake of religion; and if they be all equal in that respect, then let the eldest of them lead. And let not any man act as leader in the prayers to a man in the latter's sphere of authority (i.e. where he is the constituted leader); and let him not sit in a seat of honour in his house, except with his permission."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú ʿAṭiyahuʾl-ʿUqaili that he said, ʿMálik binuʾl-Ḥuwairith used to come to us to our place of prayer and converse. And one day the time for prayer arrived, so we said to him, "Stand thou in front and act as leader in the prayers." He said to us, "Put a man from amongst yourselves in front to lead the prayers for you, and I will tell you why I did not pray for you (as leader). I heard the Apostle of God say, 'Let not that one who visits a people act as leader of the prayers for them, but let a man from amongst themselves act as leader.'"'—Abú Dáud, At Tirmidhí, An Nasái.
It is related from Anaś that he said, 'The Apostle of God appointed Ibn Umm Maktum to act as leader of the prayers for the people; and he was blind.'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from Ibn ʿOmar that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There are three persons whose prayers will not be accepted from them: he who stands before the people as leader of the prayers when he is disliked by the people; the man who comes to prayers at the end to come at the end is to come when the time is past and the man who enslaves a free woman."'—Abú Dáud, Ibn Májah.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Religious warfare is incumbent upon you in company with every prince, whether he be righteous or unrighteous, even though he be guilty of mortal sins. And prayer is incumbent upon you after every Muslim, whether he be righteous or unrighteous, even though he be guilty of mortal sins. And
