Is it permissible to pray behind an imam who is an innovator?
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Question:
What is the ruling on praying behind an imam who is an innovator, meaning he has violations such as shaving the beard and letting the garment hang below the ankles?
Answer:
Shaving the beard is not considered a religious innovation (bid'ah); it is considered a sin and a forbidden act. It is not befitting to appoint as an imam one who openly commits sin; rather, one should choose an imam who is committed to the Sunnah. However, if you arrive and the people are praying, you pray with them. Pray with them and do not abandon the congregation, while advising the imam. When he concludes the prayer, you say to him, "My brother, you are a role model, and it is not permissible for you to shave your beard and openly commit sin." Advise him regarding this. In the next prayer, if he does not stop, seek out another mosque. Yes.
What is the ruling on praying behind an imam who is an innovator, meaning he has violations such as shaving the beard and letting the garment hang below the ankles?
Answer:
Shaving the beard is not considered a religious innovation (bid'ah); it is considered a sin and a forbidden act. It is not befitting to appoint as an imam one who openly commits sin; rather, one should choose an imam who is committed to the Sunnah. However, if you arrive and the people are praying, you pray with them. Pray with them and do not abandon the congregation, while advising the imam. When he concludes the prayer, you say to him, "My brother, you are a role model, and it is not permissible for you to shave your beard and openly commit sin." Advise him regarding this. In the next prayer, if he does not stop, seek out another mosque. Yes.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، هل تجوز الصلاة خلف إمام مبتدع؟ #فتاوى الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.