Praying Behind One Who Shaves His Beard

Question:
Is it permissible to pray behind one who shaves his beard?

Answer:
The prayer behind him is valid, because he is a sinner and not a disbeliever. It is the correct opinion among the scholars that one may pray behind all sinners. Many scholars say that the prayer behind an open sinner is not valid, such as one who shaves his beard, drinks intoxicants, is undutiful to his parents, consumes usury or interest, is known for backbiting or talebearing, or similar matters. Some scholars say that the prayer behind them is not valid.
However, the correct view is that the prayer is valid as long as they are not declared disbelievers. One does not pray behind a disbeliever. A known disbeliever who insults the religion, or is known for communism and socialism, or is known for nationalism and fighting Islam, or is known for Qadiyyaniyyah, or is known for what makes him a disbeliever and takes him out of Islam—such a person is not to be prayed behind. But as for the sinner who is undutiful to his parents, the one who shaves his beard, the one who deals in usury or interest, and their like, the correct view is that the prayer behind them is valid. This is because the Companions during the time of al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi, who was among the most sinful of people, a tyrant and oppressor, prayed behind him at 'Arafah and at Muzdalifah. They argued based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the rulers: . Thus, the believer prays behind the rulers of the Muslims and the imams of the Muslims, even if they commit sins. This is the correct view.