The ruling on praying behind one who shaves his beard

Question:
Is it permissible to pray behind one who shaves his beard? And what is the ruling on shaving parts of the beard, such as the cheeks, for example?

Answer:
As for his being an imam: it is not befitting that he be appointed as an imam if he is beardless, an innovator, or one who openly commits sins. It is not befitting that he be appointed as an imam; rather, it is befitting that one seek out from among the people of goodness and righteousness someone to be the imam.
But if the people are afflicted with him and he becomes the imam in the mosque, they should pray behind him, and the prayer is valid, according to the correct opinion of the scholars. The prayer behind him is valid if the people are afflicted with him.
However, it is not befitting that he be appointed as an imam, nor is it befitting that he be left in his position. Rather, efforts should be made to remove him, and someone better than him should be appointed.