Is Islam Allowed Blind People to Become Imam in Prayer? Find Out Here!

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Hi all readers! In this article, I will explain a ruling related to being an imam in prayer. In everyday life, we certainly know that people have different conditions: some can see, while others are blind. The question is: is Islam allowed blind people to become imam in prayer?

As always, before answering the question above, I will quote a hadith that is specifically related to our discussion. Pay attention!

Hadith About Blind People Becoming Imam in Prayer (Salat)

The hadith about blind people becoming imam in prayer (salat) that I mean is as follows:

عَنْ أَنَسٝ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ اِسْتَخْلَفَ اِبْنَ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ يَؤُمُّ النَّاسَ وَهُوَ أَعْمَى . رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ وَأَبُوْ دَاوُدَ

From Anas (radiallahu anhu), that the Prophet (Muhammad) (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) told Ibn Ummi Maktum to replace him in leading the people in prayer, even though he (Ibn Ummi Maktum) was a blind person. The hadith is narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawud.

Similarities and Differences Between the Imam and the Makmum During Prayer

Key Points About the Hadith

There are some important things related to the hadith above that we need to know:

• The hadith explains that a blind person may be an imam in prayer.
• There are differences of opinion among Islamic law experts about this issue. Ash-Shafi'i said, "In terms of being an imam in prayer, the blind and those who can see are the same because each has virtue. The virtue of a blind person is that he does not see anything that can distract him, while the virtue of those who can see is that they can avoid being unclean."
• The majority of Islamic law experts say, "People who can see are more suitable to be an imam because they are better able to face the qiblah and avoid being unclean."

Conclusion

All readers! After understanding the brief explanation above, we can conclude that blind people may become an imam in prayer, even though there are differences of opinion about it. I will not draw a definitive conclusion to answer the question above because Islamic law experts have differing views, each supported by their respective arguments.

That is a brief explanation of the legality of blind people becoming an imam in prayer. Do you understand? If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

I think that is enough for this article. May it be useful! Ameen!

See you again in the next article!