5a. Ruling on what is known as “khatam shifa”, and praying behind an innovator andcalling him (to the right path)

5a.
The view of ash-Shaafa'i and Abu Haneefah is that his prayeris valid;
however in the madhhabs of Maalik and Ahmad there is a dispute
concerning this issue and it is subject to further discussion.
However this only applies to bid'ah that is known to be contrary to
the Qur'an and Sunnah, such as the innovations of the Raafidis,
Jahamis and so on. People argue about many issue of religion in this
country, and both parties to an argument may innovators, and both of
them may be ignorant and misinterpreting things, so the refusal of one
of them to pray behind the other is not better than if it is the other
way round. But oncethe Sunnah is established and becomes known, and
one person or group goes against it, this is the matter concerning
which there is a difference of scholarly opinion. And Allah knows
best. End quote.
In Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa'imah (7/364) thereis the following question:
Is it permissible to pray behind an imam who is aninnovator?
The committee replied:
Whoever can find an imam who is not an innovator should pray behind
him and not behind the innovator. Whoever cannot find anyone except
this innovator should advise him in the hope that he will give up his
innovation. If he does not accept that advice, and his innovation
involves shirk, such as those who seek the help of the dead or
callupon them instead of Allah, or offer sacrifices to them, then he
(the one who offered advice) should not pray behind him because he is
a kaafir and his prayer is invalid, and it is not right to appoint him
as an imam. Ifhis innovation does not make him a kaafir, such as
uttering the intention out loud, his prayer is valid as is the prayer
of those who pray behind him. End quote.
With regard to calling these people (da'wah) andadvising them, seek
the help of Allah first and foremost, make your intention sincere and
intend to guide them to the right path, and Allah will help you in
that.
You should explain to them that they are going against the teachings
of Islam, with evidence and proof, and demonstrate that the specious
argument they follow is wrong; you should also refer to scholars
concerning issues that youare uncertain about, so that their specious
arguments will not affect you and they will not defeat you in
argument, lest the ignorant think that their view is correct. And you
should pay attention to being kind and gentle in all of that.
And Allah knows best.

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