- English translation
Lost in error himself, yet he sets up as prayer leader. By God, that just isn't right!
- Literal wording
A misguided one, and making himself an imam: by God, it is forbidden!
- Meaning and lesson
The saying protests a glaring mismatch between a person and the role he takes on. Someone who has strayed from the right path, and who also misleads others, sets himself up to lead people in prayer. The closing oath is an indignant exclamation that this is wrong, not a formal religious ruling.
Although its image is religious, the saying extends to any person assuming an office for which they are unfit, or to anything put in the wrong place. Its wider use does not erase the literal criticism of a misguided man presenting himself as a prayer leader.
- When it is used
Use this when someone plainly unfit claims a role of trust or leadership, or more broadly when something has been put where it does not belong. It carries a tone of exasperated protest, not a formal religious ruling, and suits informal speech.
- Register
- Colloquial Arabic
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: Lost in error himself, yet he sets up as prayer leader. By God, that just isn't right!