Question:
Following an Imam Who Delays Prayer – Is It Proof for Following an Imam Who Does Bid‘ah?
Answer:
The Prophetﷺ said: Some rulers, kings, leaders will appear. They will delay the prayer beyond its proper early time. If you encounter such rulers, then do not wait for them. Pray at the proper time. If later they come and lead the prayer, then join them.
Using this hadith, we explained that this can serve as evidence that it is permissible to follow an imam even if he commits an error — including innovation (bid‘ah).
Why? Because the rulers are delaying the prayer. That is a mistake. Yet the Prophetﷺ told us to join them when they lead. After this explanation, some questions were raised.
The objection was: If they delay the prayer beyond its prescribed time, that is like opposing Allahﷻ. If they perform prayer after its time ends, how can we join them?
Also, the Qur’an says that if Allahﷻ’s verses are mocked, we should leave such gatherings. So how can we join people who alter prayer timing?
Clarification: Two Types of “Delaying”
The answer given was: Delaying prayer has two meanings:
- Delaying beyond the prayer time entirely (after the time has ended).
- Delaying within the prayer time but missing the best (earliest) time.
The hadith refers to the second meaning.
For example:
- Asr prayer’s preferred time is early.
- But if they delay it close to sunset — it is still within time.
- It is not ideal, but still valid.
So, they are not opposing Qur’an. They are missing the best time, not changing the law.
That is why the Prophetﷺ allowed joining them.