Short answer
In the Hanafi school the most entitled is the one who knows the rulings of prayer best, provided he recites correctly, then the best reciter, then the most pious, then the eldest. The masjid's appointed imam and the host in his own home come before everyone. A boy who has not reached puberty cannot lead adults, even in taraweeh.
Priority goes to the appointed imam and the householder, then to the most knowledgeable in the rulings of prayer, then the best reciter, then the most pious, then the eldest. A minor's leading is not valid for adults, in fard or nafl. A woman cannot lead men, and someone who cannot recite properly cannot lead someone who can.
Other madhhabs
- Hanbali
- The best reciter comes before the most knowledgeable, following the wording of the hadith.
- Shafi'i
- A discerning boy may lead adults, though an adult is better.
Explanation
The Prophet ﷺ said the people should be led by the one who recites the Book of Allah best, and if they are equal, the one who knows the sunnah best. The Hanafi school puts knowledge of the rulings of prayer first, reasoning that the best reciters among the Companions were also the most learned, and that problems needing knowledge come up in prayer more often than problems of recitation.
- The appointed imam of the masjid, or the host in his own home
- The one who knows the rulings of prayer best, if he recites correctly
- The best reciter
- The most pious
- The eldest
Who cannot lead, or should not:
- A boy before puberty cannot lead adults in the Hanafi school.
- A woman cannot lead men; see can women be imams.
- Someone who cannot recite al-Fatiha correctly cannot lead those who can.
- Someone with an ongoing excuse, such as constant leaking, cannot lead those without it.
- An open sinner, or someone the people rightly dislike, leading is makruh, though prayer behind him is valid.
At home, the husband or father usually leads his family; see husband and wife praying together. For imams from another school, see praying behind an imam of another madhhab.
The evidence
Sahih Muslim 673
Sahih... يؤم القوم أقرؤهم لكتاب الله ...
"The people are led by the one who recites the Book of Allah best."
The basis for choosing the imam.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Salah, chapter on the imamate. The most knowledgeable in the sunnah of prayer is most entitled, then the best reciter, then the most pious, then the eldest.
- Nur al-Idah with Maraqi al-Falah, Chapter on the imamate. Lists those whose leading is invalid or disliked, including a minor leading adults.
- al-Mughni (Ibn Qudama), Chapter on the imamate. The Hanbali school puts the best reciter first.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.