Q 1: What is the ruling on someone who lives in a country where people practice Bid`ah? Is one permitted to join them in the Jumu`ah (Friday) and congregational Salahs (prayers), or should one pray individually? Is one exempted from attending the Jumu`ah prayer? If the number of the people of AhlulSunnah (those adhering to Sunnah) in a certain country is fewer than twelve, will they be allowed to hold a congregation and offer Jumu`ah prayer or not?
A: It is obligatory to establish Jumu`ah prayer in congregation behind any Imam, be he pious or not. If the Bid`ah of the Imam leading Jumu`ah prayer does not render him a nonMuslim, then Muslims are to pray behind him. It is stated by Imam Abu Ja`far AlTahawy (may Allah have mercy on him) in his famous book of `Aqidah: "We opine offering prayer behind every pious and disobedient Muslim as well as offering it over those who die among them." Explaining this statement, the commentator on this `Aqidah [Book], who is a trustworthy scholar, cited the Prophet's (peace be upon him) statement, Perform Salah behind the Imam, be he pious or disobedient. Narrated by Makhul on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him).It was also narrated by AlDaraqutnywho commented: Makhul did not meet with Abu Hurayrah; in addition, among its chain of narrators there is Mu`awiyah ibn Salih whose authenticity is questioned. Yet, Muslim narrated this Hadithin his Sahih.Also, it is narrated by AlDaraqutny and Abu Dawudfrom Makhul on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) stated, The Salah is obligatory on you behind every Muslim, pious or impious, even if he commits grave sins; Jihad (fighting/striving in the Cause of Allah) is incumbent on you along with every ruler, whether he is pious or impious, even if he commits grave sins. It is stated in Sahih AlBukharithat `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) offered Salah behind AlHajjaj ibn Yusuf AlThaqafi. Also this was the approach of Anas ibn Malik [knowing that] AlHajjaj was corrupt and tyrannical. It is also mentioned in Sahih AlBukhari that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, They will lead you in Salah; if they offer it properly, it is for you both and if they offer it inappropriately, it is for you but against them. On the authority of `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, Perform Salah behind whoever testifies, "There is no god but Allah," and pray over whomever dies while professing that "There is no god but Allah."