Question: I'm an Indian expat based in Madina Munawara, Saudi Arabia, and I faced a problem yesterday I was praying behind an Imam and missed 3 rak'ahs of Zuhr. After the Imam finished, I stood up to make up the missed rak'ahs. Suddenly, one Arab colleague who is Hanbali/salafi follower approached in salah and signaled me from behind and indicated that I should lead the new prayer as an Imam and refuse through hand signals. I would like to know, according to the Hanafi school of thought, what its permissible to lead as imam or not and guide me what I have do in like this situation?
ANSWER :
Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim !
According to the Hanafi Fiqh, a Masbuq (as is the case with you in the question presented) cannot act as an Imam for another person. Therefore, in the situation described, it was correct and appropriate for you to signal by gesture to prevent the individual from following you in prayer. If such a situation arises again in the future, it is recommended that you gently signal with your hand to dissuade others from doing iqtida (following you).
(و منها) أنه منفرد فيما يقضي (إلا في أربع مسائل): (إحداها) أنه لا يجوز اقتداؤه ولا الاقتداء به (الفتاوى الهندية 1/92، كتاب الصلاة، الفصل السابع في المسبوق واللاحق)
