Grand Ayatollah Shirazi remarks on presence of Amir al-Mu’minin (peace be upon him) in congregation prayer of second caliph

The daily scholarly meeting of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq al-Hosseini al-Shirazi was held on Thursday, 25 Jumada al-Awwal. In this session, as in previous gatherings, the Supreme Marja answered the questions of those present regarding various jurisprudential issues.

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi stated regarding the manner of Amir al-Mu’minin’s (peace be upon him) presence in the congregation prayer of the second caliph: “There is a narration in this regard that allows us to pray behind an unjust imam due to taqiya.”

He further stated: “In the narration, it is mentioned that the Imam (peace be upon him) said that in such circumstances, one should not intend to join the congregation, and the follower should pray their own prayer.”

He also mentioned: “In congregation prayer, it is not necessary to recite Surah Al-Fatiha and another Surah; the recitation by the imam suffices. However, in such circumstances, the follower can recite Surah Al-Fatiha and another Surah.”

Ayatollah Al-Uzma Shirazi continued: “The presence of Amir al-Mu’minin in the congregation prayer of the second caliph was also such that he participated in the congregation prayer based on taqiya but did not pray in congregation; rather, he recited Surah Al-Fatiha and another Surah.”