Question:
If this hadith refers only to delaying within valid time (which is not bid‘ah), then how can you use this as proof for following an imam who commits bid‘ah?
Answer:
This specific hadith alone may not directly prove following an innovating imam. But there are other hadiths which state that future leaders will make mistakes in prayer itself — not only timing.
In Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 694), narrated by Abu Hurairah:
The Prophetﷺ said: “They will lead you in prayer. If they do it correctly, it is for you and for them. If they make mistakes, it is for you and against them.”
This is not about timing. This refers to mistakes inside the prayer.
Meaning:
- If the imam commits an error in prayer,
- Your prayer is still valid,
- The sin is upon him.
Also Reported in Musnad Abi Ya‘la
Similarly, it is narrated:
If they complete the prayer properly → reward for both.
If they fall short → reward for you, sin upon them.
This clearly shows:
There are two types of bida’h;
- Imam might be following a Bida’h like Meeraj Fasting, meelad festival etc; but he was correct in prayer; he can be followed in prayer
- Imam might be doing wrong in prayer, like Qunoot in Fajr; still he can be followed since it would not affect the followers
According to Sahfi Madhah; they invalidate the Prayer without Bismillah; but Hanafi madhab prays without Bismillah; Therefore, whatsoever the type of bid’ah practised by Imam, the followers will have no impact of his mistakes.
Bid‘ah can be of two types:
- The imam holds innovative beliefs or practices outside prayer but performs prayer correctly.
- The imam introduces an innovation inside prayer.
Even in the second case, the hadith indicates: If he commits the mistake, it is upon him — not upon you.
Example: If an imam recites qunoot in Fajr (which some consider innovation), You are not required to leave the congregation.
Or any differences between madhhabs:
- In Shafi‘i madhhab, reciting Bismillah aloud is required.
- In Hanafi madhhab, it is not.
If you follow someone from another madhhab, your prayer is still valid. Important Principle is that Hating bid‘ah is correct. But hatred must not cause us to invent new religious rulings.
We cannot say: “Anyone who commits any sin cannot be followed as imam.”
That is not Islamic theology.
Tawheed teaches: All humans make mistakes. Only Allahﷻﷻ is perfect.
If you say: “We must find an imam who never commits sin,”, that contradicts Tawheed. Even someone who commits major sins like riba (interest) may lead prayer properly. If you refuse to pray behind anyone who sins, who will remain?
Excessive Reactions Are Wrong; there are warnings against exaggeration:
Example: Some people say: “Do not even stand in the shadow of someone who takes interest.”
Where is that in Islam? Islam forbids riba — yes.
But does not forbid standing in someone’s house.
Similarly:
Do not invent extra prohibitions to show hatred for sin.
Therefore, this hadith implies that any mistakes including Bid’ah of the Imam will affect only the imam himself and it will not affect the followers; Even if the imam makes an error within the prayer, the follower’s prayer remains valid.