The Ruling on Praying Behind One Who Swears by Other Than Allah

Question:
Is it permissible to pray behind an imam who swears by other than Allah, and who does not listen to advice when he is advised?

Answer:
It is obligatory to remove this person from the position of imam; because swearing by other than Allah is shirk (associating partners with Allah), but it is minor shirk. Therefore, it is obligatory to remove him from the imamate and report his case to the competent authorities. The prayer is valid; because he is a Muslim, and minor shirk does not take one out of Islam. So the prayer is valid, just as if one prayed behind people who commit sins. However, if it is possible to remove him, it is obligatory to distance him, unless he repents, abandons it, and leaves this shirk, such as swearing by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), or by trust, or by the honor of so-and-so, or by the Ka'bah. All of this is not permissible, and it is from shirk. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: , and it is considered by the scholars to be minor shirk, unless there is something in his heart that makes him exalt Allah, or he believes in shirk, or that he acts in the universe, or something similar to that, in which case it becomes major shirk. We ask Allah for safety.
The original ruling on swearing by other than Allah is that it is minor shirk. The Companions used to swear by their fathers in the early days of Islam, then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade them and said: . So if the imam swears by other than Allah and is advised but does not accept, then it is obligatory to remove him, and to appoint someone who is more pure in tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and less in evil. And his case should be reported to the responsible authority; because this is a serious matter. He may have something that makes it major shirk. So it is obligatory in such a case for the community to be careful about the issue, and to report his case to the competent authority, and to strive in the matter until he is removed. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.