Is it permissible for two individuals whose independent legal judgments (Ijtihad) differ regarding the Qibla (direction of prayer) to pray congregationally, with each following his own determined direction?

Primary text

It is not permissible for one to follow the other in prayer when their independent judgments regarding the Qibla differ. This is the established view of the Shafi'i school. The reasoning is that each person believes the other's judgment is erroneous, thus precluding following him, similar to a situation where one believes the other has experienced an invalidating event (like passing wind) while the other does not. The analogy to the case of passing wind is distinguished because here, the prayer of the one being followed is considered outwardly and inwardly valid, such that if certainty of error in the direction is later established, no immediate re-prayer is mandated, unlike in the case of ritual impurity.