The Ruling on the Prayer and Leading of One Who Shaves His Beard

Question:
Your Eminence the Shaykh, if a man shaves his beard and prays in congregation, is his prayer valid, and is the congregation's prayer valid?

Answer:
The one who shaves his beard is a sinner, but his prayer is valid, and his leading of the prayer is valid. However, it is not befitting for him to be an imam, nor should he be appointed to the position. It should be that he is sound in his character so that he can be the imam. But his prayer is valid. People may be tested by this. The prayer is valid, just as one may pray behind an oppressor or a sinner, or behind an imam who smokes tobacco or is disobedient. His prayer is valid as long as he has not committed disbelief. If he drinks intoxicants, his prayer is valid, but it is not befitting to appoint as imam one who is known for riba (usury or interest), or for undutifulness to parents, or for shaving the beard, or for tashbih (likening Allah to creation), or the like. It is not befitting to sit in the position of imam.