What is the ruling on praying behind an imam who deals in riba (usury or interest) and lets his garment hang below the ankles?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : O esteemed Shaykh, what is the ruling on praying behind an imam who deals in riba (usury or interest) and lets his garment hang below the ankles?
The Shaykh : Praying behind an imam who deals in riba (usury or interest) and lets his garment hang below the ankles is valid. However, if you find a pious imam who possesses taqwa (mindfulness of Allah), then pray behind him; otherwise, pray behind any person who prays. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to pray behind al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi, and al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi was known to be a tyrant who killed souls, yet they prayed behind him. Ibn Umar, who was among the most ascetic and most scrupulous of people, used to pray behind him.
The Shaykh : Praying behind an imam who deals in riba (usury or interest) and lets his garment hang below the ankles is valid. However, if you find a pious imam who possesses taqwa (mindfulness of Allah), then pray behind him; otherwise, pray behind any person who prays. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to pray behind al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi, and al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi was known to be a tyrant who killed souls, yet they prayed behind him. Ibn Umar, who was among the most ascetic and most scrupulous of people, used to pray behind him.