The Ruling on Praying Behind One Who Shaves His Beard and Smokes Tobacco
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Your Eminence! What is your opinion regarding an imam who smokes tobacco or shaves his beard?
The issue of praying behind one who shaves his beard: The correct view is that praying behind an open sinner is valid; because there is no evidence regarding the invalidity of an open sinner leading the prayer. However, there is no doubt that it is not permissible for the one in authority to appoint in the mosques one who is disobedient and openly commits sin. And it is also correct that if there is a mosque whose imam has more mindfulness of Allah than this one, then go to it.
The issue of praying behind one who shaves his beard: The correct view is that praying behind an open sinner is valid; because there is no evidence regarding the invalidity of an open sinner leading the prayer. However, there is no doubt that it is not permissible for the one in authority to appoint in the mosques one who is disobedient and openly commits sin. And it is also correct that if there is a mosque whose imam has more mindfulness of Allah than this one, then go to it.