For an Imaam to be Corrected during the Fardh salaah

Q: Salaah- 649: Can the Imaam be corrected when he forgets during the Fardh salaah? Some people say that if he accepts the correction of anyone after reciting a long verse or three short verses, the salaah will be invalid. Please elaborate.

Answer: If an Imaam forgets or errs in his Qiraa'ah, he should proceed into Ruku if he has already recited Surah Faatiha and either a long verse or three short verses. He must not force the Muqtadis to correct him, neither should the Muqtadis hasten to do so. however, if a Muqtadi still corrects the Imaam and he accepts the correction. the salaah will not be nullified according to the preferred opinion.

If the Imaam has already recited the amount of Qiraa'ah that is Waajib (compulsory) when he errs or gets stuck, he should proceed into Ruku or recite from another portion of the Qur'aan. It is wrong for him to remain standing or to repeat his words so as to compel the followers to correct him. Nevertheless, when someone does correct the Imaam and he accepts the correction, the salaah of both the Imaam and the Muqtadi will be valid.' And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2