The one who is most versed in Allah's Book should act as Imam for the people
Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari reported that the Messenger of Allah ( may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him ) as saying:
The one who is most versed in Allah's Book should act as Imam for the people, but If they are equally versed in reciting it, then the one who has most knowledge regarding the Sunnah if they are equal regarding the Sunnah, then the earliest one to emigrate; it they emigrated at the same time, then the earliest one to embrace Islam. No man must lead another in prayer where (the latter) has authority, or sit in his place of honour in his house, without his permission. Ashajj in his narration used the word," age" in place of" Islam".
Sahih Muslim
Leading people in prayer has special requirements; he shall be knowledgeable, virtuous, ascetic, and precedes to the good deeds.
The imam must be loved by the those who pray behind him. He will not be accepted by people except by his good qualities, his knowledge of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and his love for those who follow him.
It is not surprising that a man may be well versed of the Holy Quran whereas he is not well aware of many parts of the Sunnah; it is noteworthy that many of the companions of the Prophet ( may Allah be pleased with them ) were occupied by the Qur'an from memorizing the Hadeeths of the Prophet.
There is no doubt that the combination of knowledge of the Qur'an and the Sunnah is much better than to be knowledgeable of just one of them.
Islam is a religion of tolerance and mercy. It encourages its followers to adhere to the virtue wherever it is, and forbids them from committing vice, wherever it may exist, and invites them to mutual love, constructive cooperation and meeting on good in all fields, especially the meeting to perform the prayer.
