ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Your Questions Answered (volume 7) Q. 70: Friday Prayers In reference to all books of masaail which I have so far gone through, I found that one who leads Jamaat prayers (of course under certain qualifications as listed therein) can also lead Friday prayers provided he fulfills the conditions of Friday prayers as mentioned therein too.

However there are speculations that one who leads Friday prayers is obliged to seek permission from the Marjaa to do so although he does lead daily prayers. A: Any Imam who leads in daily prayers may lead in the Friday prayers. Even according to Tahrirul-wasilah of Late Ayatullah Khomayni (r.a.), there is no additional qualification required for Friday prayer's Imam.

However, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, an Imam of Friday prayer has been given the authority and privilages of a member of parliament. As such, their appointment is in the hands of the Waliye Faqih. It is an administrative matter which obviously should not apply outside Iran. Q. 71: SHI'A IMAM & MALIKI CONREGATION: I was leading in prayers, and all the congregation follows the Maliki school of Fiqh while I am Shi 'a. Am I allowed to do Taqiyyah? If yes, then in which parts of the prayer?

A: It is a very complicated question. Basically, Taqiyyah is allowed to avoid any harm or possible harm to life, honour or property. Apparently there is no such danger in your case. But if you think that if people come to know about your change of madh-hab, your social standing, or family relations or your livelihood will be harmed to an unbearable extent, then you should resort to Taqiyyah, and pray exactly as the Malikis do.

Also, if you think that by observing Taqiyyah you may be able to spread the True Islam (Shi'ism) among your people, you can do so without hesitation. Q. 72: PRAYING FURADA WHEN JAMA'AT IS IN PROGRESS: a) Can an individual offer a Furada (separate) prayer at the same time when congregation prayer is being conducted in the same hall of the same mosque?

A: Ayatullah al-'uzma as-Sistani has not written anything about this matter in his book; but some previous mujtahideen have written that praying furada prayer at the same time and place where and when congregational prayer is being conducted is tantamount to gheebat of the Imam of that congregational prayer.