Q: Is it permissible to pray behind an Imam who circumambulates a tomb and travels long distances collecting vows and reciting praises that have words tantamount to Shirk. He celebrates the coming of every morning saying, "O Ahmad Al-Tijany, Qut Al-Qulub (rest and peace of Hearts), see you not our distresses!" He also says in his supplication, 'In the presence of our shaykh lights are lit and hidden secrets are unveiled. He also says, 'Ahmad Al-Tijany is the intercessor on the day of Resurrection for the disobedient of Allah'. He has been advised to stop collecting vows. It is worthy to mention that only one kilometer away, there is a Masjid (mosque) where Salah is performed according to the Sunnah in addition to other Masjids about three kilometers away whose Imams are keen on following the Sunnah. Is performing Salah behind this Imam who is a Mubtadi` (one who introduces innovations in religion) permissible? If it is permissible, is it preferable to perform Salah in a Masjid in which the Sunnah is keenly observed regardless of it being a little bit farther? Or should we pray in this Masjid despite the case of the Imam? Am I permitted to offer Salah individually knowing that I observe congregational Salah regularly? Is it permissible to pray behind this Imam as a means of warding off any kind of Fitnah (dispute)?

A: It is not permissible to pray behind a person with the characteristics mentioned above. Salah will be invalid if the follower knows of his Shirk-tinged acts. (Part No. 7; Page No. 361) Most of the acts mentioned above are tantamount to Kufr (disbelief) and Bid`ahs (innovation in religion) which are directly contrary to the Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah/ monotheism) message sent to Messengers and revealed in Books. It is incumbent upon whoever knows such malicious attributes of this Imam to advise and teach him the true meaning of pure Tawhid and warn him against the evils of the Tijanyyah order. If he complies with the truth, then Praise be to Allah, if not, then Salah behind such an Imam will not be permissible and his mosque should be abandoned for another one in which the Sunnah is keenly observed. We find in Khalil Allah (A Close Servant to Allah), Ibrahim (Abraham) the best example, as Allah says, "And I shall turn away from you and from those whom you invoke besides Allâh. And I shall call upon my Lord and I hope that I shall not be unblest in my invocation to my Lord." You should not perform Salah on your own. You should perform it in congregation in the Masjids of Ahl Al-Sunnah.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.