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Text and translation
English translation
980. Abu Mas'ud said: "The Messenger of Allâh ﷺ said: 'The people should be lead by the one
who is most well-Versed in recitation of the Book of Allāh. If they are equal in recitation, then they should be led by the one who emigrated first. If they are equal in emigration, then they should be led by the eldest. A man should not be led among his family or in his place of authority; no one should be sat in his place of honor in his house without permission, or without his permission.''' (Sahih)
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Commentary
The most deserving person to lead the prayer is the one who is superior to others. Criterion for superiority in Islam is, however, neither wealth nor ancestry but the knowledge of religion.
A person well Versed in the knowledge of the Qur'an, even if he is younger than others, is more deserving of leading the prayer. 'Amr bin Salamah Al-Jarami ﷺ used to lead his tribe in prayer in the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ because he knew more Qur'an than others, and he was just eight years of age (Sunan An-Nasā'i: 790 & Sunan Abu-Dāwūd:585).
The expression 'place of honor in one's house' means the place where a person sits by virtue of his rank and status, or the place where he usually sits in his house.
