The ruling on praying behind an imam who smokes

Question:
Is it permissible to pray behind a man who smokes, or one who shaves his beard, or one who has trimmed his beard somewhat, or one who lets his garment hang below the ankles? And what is the action to be taken regarding that?

Answer:
Praying behind a sinner is valid according to the correct view, but it should be that they choose as imam one from among the people of good and uprightness, because he is the one who is followed. So if a person prays behind a person who commits open sin, or one who smokes, or shaves his beard, or lets his garment hang below the ankles, or has any other sin, his prayer is valid. This is unlike the disbeliever, behind whom the prayer is not valid.
As for the sinner, the prayer behind him is valid, but with a deficiency. It is obligatory for those in charge to choose imams from among the people of good, justice, and uprightness; this is what is obligatory. And if a person prays behind a sinner, his prayer is valid.