How is leadership determined between two equally proficient reciters when one is more knowledgeable in jurisprudence?
Chapter on Imamate and Congregational Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
If two jurisprudentially knowledgeable individuals are equally proficient in recitation, the more proficient reciter is prioritized, based on the explicit narration stating, "If they are equal in recitation, then the most knowledgeable among them in the Sunnah." If two jurisprudentially knowledgeable people are present, and one knows the rulings of prayer better while the other knows other matters better, the one more knowledgeable in the rulings of prayer is preferred because their knowledge directly contributes to perfecting the prayer.
Supporting text
Ibn 'Aqil held that the more jurisprudentially knowledgeable person is prioritized because of their distinctive knowledge necessary for the prayer, but this contradicts the general wording of the Hadith and is not relied upon.