The Ruling on a Man Praying Behind an Imam He Dislikes

Question:
Our brother asks and says: What is the ruling if I pray behind an imam whom I dislike?

Answer:
If you do not know of him any major shirk, your prayer is valid, even if you dislike him; because you may dislike him without justification, or you may dislike him for something that does not necessitate his being disliked. Even if he commits some sins, that does not prevent the validity of the prayer. Some of the Companions prayed behind al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi, who was one of the most unjust of people. So sin does not prevent the validity of praying behind an imam if he is a Muslim and not a disbeliever; because few are free from sins, and there is no power or strength except with Allah.
The point is: your prayer behind someone you dislike is valid if he is a Muslim; because you are not infallible, you may dislike him without justification, or you may dislike him for a valid reason, but that does not prevent the validity of the prayer. May Allah guide them all.

The presenter: O Allah, amen.