Is the permission of the Imam a prerequisite for the obligation and validity of Friday prayer?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Friday Prayer
Primary text
There is differing narration regarding whether the Imam's permission is a condition. The sound position is that it is not a condition. This view is held by Malik, al-Shafi'i, and Abu Thawr. The evidence is that 'Ali performed the Friday prayer while 'Uthman was under siege, and no one objected; 'Uthman himself sanctioned it and ordered people to pray with them. Furthermore, Friday prayer is an individual obligation (*fard 'ayn*), and thus does not require the Imam's permission, similar to the noon prayer (*Dhuhr*). It is a prayer resembling other prayers, and the claim of consensus requiring permission is invalid, as people establish Friday prayers in villages without seeking anyone's authorization. Even if consensus were established on specific historical instances, it would only confirm the permissibility of those actions, not prohibit alternatives.
Supporting text
The opposing view is that the Imam's permission is a condition, narrated from al-Hasan, al-Awza'i, Habib ibn Abi Thabit, and Abu Hanifah, arguing that since Imams have always established it in every era, it constitutes consensus. If the Imam's permission is required but not granted, the prayer performed is invalid, and they should pray *Dhuhr*. If the Imam permits it and then dies, his permission is voided by his death. If they pray and later discover he had died before the prayer, there are two narrations regarding its validity; the sounder position is that it suffices, as Muslims in remote areas do not repeat prayers after the Imam's death without reported objection, and requiring repetition would be unduly burdensome.