Can We Follow An Imam For Prayer Who Follows Another Madhhab (Jurisprudential School)?

Can we follow an imam for prayer who follows another madhhab (jurisprudential school)?

It is permissible to establish prayer in congregation by following an imam who follows another jurisprudential school. Because difference of schools does not pose an obstacle in terms of iqtida (following an imam). Although there is an ijtihad that states, “if an imam from another school commits an act that invalidates prayer according to the school of the muqtadi (follower), the prayer of the muqtadi will be invalidated” (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah, I, 93; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, II, 302-303), a more correct approach to this subject is that as long as the prayer of the imam is not invalidated according to his own school, the prayer of the muqtadi will be valid as well.

The latter opinion is both suitable to the practice of the predecessors and complies with the requirement of the spirit of being a congregation. For example, Imam Abu Yusuf established prayer by following Caliph Harun Rashid who performed imamah without performing ablution after getting blood drawn ( hijama) (Ibn Abu a’l-‘iz, Sharh al-‘aqidati’-Tahawiyya, p. 545). Besides, it is not necessary to examine if the imam has committed an act against the conditions of his school (Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, II, 302-303).

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWAS