Which is better for leading the prayer: the strong open sinner or the weak righteous person?

Question:
I hold that it is obligatory to obey the rulers of the Muslims, whether they are righteous or sinful, as long as they do not…

Answer:
It is not a condition for the ruler of the Muslims to be one hundred percent righteous like the Rightly Guided Caliphs. Even if he has some violations and sins that do not reach the level of disbelief, i.e., leaving the religion, his sinfulness is upon himself, his sinfulness is upon himself, but his leadership is for the benefit of the Muslims, for the benefit of the Muslims. When some of the scholars were asked—I think it was Imam Ahmad who was asked—they said to him: So-and-so is pious but weak, and so-and-so is an open sinner but strong. Which one is better for the leadership? He said: The strong open sinner, because the righteous person’s righteousness is for himself and his weakness is upon the Muslims, while the open sinner’s sinfulness is upon himself and his strength is for the Muslims. Yes.