Can a Sunni Muslim pray behind a Shia imam or in a Shia mosque?

by Dr. Shabir Ally

A quick look online reveals a variety of answers to this question. Some responses are quite strict, claiming that Sunnis cannot pray behind Shias because of differences in belief, such as the perception that some Shias curse the companions of the Prophet or seek intercession from Ali. Others argue that not all Shia imams hold such beliefs and that these assumptions are unfair generalizations.

The more nuanced view is that if a Shia imam refrains from such objectionable beliefs and performs the arkan al-salat -- the essential pillars of prayer such as standing, bowing, prostrating, sitting between prostrations, and opening the prayer with “Allahu Akbar” -- then the prayer is valid. These components are recognized across Sunni schools as essential. Some scholars list six pillars, others go up to 14 depending on how strict their interpretation is. So, if the imam fulfills these core components, one may pray behind them.

Still, some say it’s better not to, arguing that doing so may cause confusion or lead to diluting one’s own practice. They worry that a Sunni might question whether their prayer met all conditions or feel they’re compromising important elements, even if those elements aren’t among the main pillars.

But even among Sunni schools, there have historically been such strict divisions that at one point, four different imams would lead prayers around the ka'bah for followers of each school. We’ve thankfully moved past that now, recognizing that Muslims can pray together despite minor differences.

These differences exist partly because the Prophet ﷺ didn’t deliver a single, universally agreed-upon method of prayer. Instead, companions reported various aspects of how he prayed, and scholars over time pieced these reports together. That means room for interpretation, and room for flexibility.

So, if we insist on strictness, we risk excluding large groups of Muslims. Sunnis make up about 80% of the global Muslim population, and Shias 10–15%. That’s a massive majority. If we say we can’t pray behind one another, we lose any hope of Muslim unity, especially when the differences in how we pray are usually quite minimal. To the outside observer, a Sunni and a Shia prayer look almost identical. So what’s the problem?

Some scholars claim that if an imam’s prayer is invalid, then so is the follower’s prayer. But that’s just one interpretation, not something clearly stated in the Qur’an or authentic hadith. Think about it: if an imam loses their wudu and continues praying, why should that invalidate the sincere prayer of someone following behind him who’s done everything correctly to please God?

I believe in unity, within reason. We can distinguish between core pillars of prayer and minor details. As long as those essential components are present -- recitation, bowing, prostration, and so on -- I see no problem with a Sunni praying behind most Shia imams. We’re all praying to the same God, and these differences shouldn’t divide us.