Who is prioritized for leadership if all precedence factors (recitation, jurisprudence, migration, age, lineage/status) are equal?
Chapter on Imamate and Congregational Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
If they are equal in all these qualities, the most pious and scrupulous among them is chosen, as religious nobility surpasses worldly nobility, supported by the Quranic statement: {Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you} (Quran 49:13). If they are completely equal, lots are drawn (*Qur'a*), as Ahmad stated, based on the precedent set by Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas in casting lots for the call to prayer. This drawing of lots is applied to leadership as well, since they share equal entitlement and combination is impossible.
Supporting text
If one person is responsible for maintaining and caring for the mosque, they have a better claim to leadership, as do those favored by the neighbors. Leadership is not determined by good looks, as this has no bearing on the Imamate. All these are matters of recommended preference (*Istihbab*), not conditions for validity, meaning the prayer remains valid if a less qualified person leads.