The Ruling on Praying Behind an Imam Who Smokes

Question:
Shaykh, I have three questions. The first question is about the imam who smokes: is the prayer behind him accepted? The second question is about the Dhuha prayer: is it permissible to pray it five minutes before the Zuhr prayer? The third question is: if a person is late for the prayer and says the takbirat al-ihram before the imam arrives and then walks in, is that permissible or not? Okay, thank you, Majid. If the imam is smoking, Honorable Shaykh, is it permissible for him to lead the prayer?

Answer:
It is not permissible to appoint a smoker as imam, because he is a role model and people follow him. Smoking is forbidden and harmful, and it is not permissible to appoint a smoker as imam in the mosque. Likewise, if a group wants to pray in congregation, they should not put forward a smoker, because he is a role model, and this is a deficiency in him and a sin. However, if he comes and the people are praying behind an imam, he should pray with them and not leave the congregation. Even if the imam is smoking, he should pray and not leave the congregational prayer. Yes.