What is the ruling on a blind person leading the congregation in prayer?
Chapter on Imamate and Congregational Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
The validity of the blind person's leadership in prayer is established without known disagreement, except for isolated narrations suggesting otherwise. The sound position is that the blind may lead, as evidenced by the Prophet peace be upon him appointing Ibn Umm Maktum, who was blind, to lead the people. Blindness is the loss of a sense organ that does not violate any act or condition of prayer, thus resembling the loss of smell.
Supporting text
There are differing opinions regarding whether a sighted person is preferable to a blind person as Imam. Abu Al-Khattab stated the sighted person is superior because he knows the direction of the Qibla by sight and avoids impurities with his vision. Al-Qadi ruled that they are equal because the blind person is more focused (*akhsha'*) due to not being distracted by looking, balancing the sighted person's advantage. However, the sounder position holds the sighted person is superior because a sighted person intentionally closing his eyes during prayer is disliked, which would not be the case if the blind person's state offered a greater virtue. Furthermore, the sighted person who lowers his gaze receives reward for foregoing the disliked action voluntarily, whereas the blind person does so out of necessity.