Making Intention of Imamah Whilst in Prayer
Sheikh,please i was initially praying alone and someone joined me now how do i intend to be an imam?
Answer
Wa’alaykum as Salām wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuhu,
The intention of an Imām to lead a male Muqtadī in Ṣalāh (prayer) is not a requirement for the validity of the Muqtadī’s Ṣalāh.
However, the Muqtadī is required to make an intention of following the Imām for the respective Ṣalāh (prayer).
Basic definitions:
Imām – The one leading the Ṣalāh.
Muqtadī – The one following the Imām.
References
نية الإمام للإمامة ليست بشرط لصحة الاقتداء به عند عامة المشايخ (الذخيرة البرهانية 1/541 دار الكتب العلمية)
(وشروط صحة الإقتداء أربعة عشر شيئاً) تقريباً (نية المقتدي( (حاشية الطحطاوي على مراقي الفلاح ص. 290 دار الكتب العلمية)