Question:
The imām of the mosque makes mistakes in his recitation of Sūrah al-Fātiḥah, and we are unable to change (or replace) him. We have raised the matter to the responsible authority, but they did nothing.
Shaykh ‘Arafāt ibn Ḥasan:
If the mistake is a clear (major) error that changes the meaning, then it is not permissible to pray behind him. For example, if he recites in Sūrah al-Fātiḥah “أَنعَمتُ عليهم” (Anʿamtu ʿalayhim) with a ḍamma (ُ ) on the letter ت, so he says "Anʿamtu" instead of "Anʿamta", then this is a serious and obvious mistake that even laymen can notice. This invalidates the prayer because it changes the meaning, so it is not permissible to pray behind him. A similar error would be swapping or omitting a letter. For such mistakes, you should not pray behind him, and he must be changed. If you cannot change him and the responsible authority does nothing, then you should leave that mosque and go to another one.
However, if the mistake is less serious, meaning it is a hidden (minor) error that does not change the meaning, for example, altering a letter into the nominative case (الرفع) without changing the meaning, such as someone saying: “الحمدُ للهُ” (al-ḥamdu lillāhu) with a ḍamma on the letter “ه” instead of "الحمدُ للهِ" (al-ḥamdu lillāhi), then this is a mistake without any doubt, but it does not invalidate the prayer.
In any case, someone who has errors in his recitation (of al-Fātiḥah), whether they are minor or major errors, he should not put himself forward to lead the prayer, and it is obligatory to change (replace) him. But what can we do? Many people are tempted by the position of imām and see it as a prestigious position. Some even make a living from it. If some are put to trial (fitnah) by the minor imamate, how will it be with the greater imamate (leadership)?
In any case, such a person is wrong and sinful, especially if they are making major errors and are capable of correcting their recitation but do not strive to do so.
And as for you, give him advice and remind him. Perhaps with kind words, you may be able to teach him, for example by saying to him: "Come, let’s sit together and review and recite. You recite and I recite. I will recite Sūrah al-Fātiḥah, and you will recite Sūrah al-Fātiḥah..." Perhaps Allah will rectify him and guide him.
Source: https://t.me/Arafatbinhassan/12008
Translation: Yasin ibn Jamal