If the imam orders us to leave an obligatory act or commit a sin in a specific case, are we to disobey him in all his orders?

The questioner : If the imam orders us to leave an obligatory act or commit a sin in a specific case, do we oppose him in everything, or only in this case?

The Shaykh : We do not disobey him in this specific case only. First, the imam is not required to be just, meaning he does not commit sins and does not leave obligatory acts. This is the case even if he commits all sins except open disbelief; we have no concern regarding that, and we obey him. However, if he orders us to do something sinful, we do not obey him, but we obey him in everything else. If he orders us to do something else that is not a sin, we obey him.