The Imam of Makkah Al-Mukarramah

Q: We live in a village called Al-Ahalaf, but the Imam who leads us in Salah (Prayer) lives 13 km away from the stated village. He, therefore, only comes on Friday every week to lead people in Salah. Due to this, a fierce debate over this issue took place among the prayers in our Masjid (mosque). Some say that it is valid for him to lead us in Salah and some say otherwise. It is noteworthy that Al-Kharshy says in his book that a person who goes out a distance of one league (around 5.5. Km) away from the village where the Jumu‘ah (Friday) Prayer is performed comes under the same ruling as a traveler. I hope that the group of scholars will give us more explanation on this subject.

A: The soundest opinion is that his leading you in the Jumu‘ah Prayer is valid, even though the distance between his house and the Masjid is 13 km, as you mentioned, or more than that, and even if he only comes to this Masjid to lead you in the Jumu‘ah Prayer. (Part No. 8; Page No. 204) Those who say that it is invalid for him to lead you in Salah, because it is conditional for the Imam for Jumu‘ah Prayer to live in the same village where lies the Masjid in which Jumu‘ah Prayer is held, have no evidence for this claim.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.