Silsilah as-Sahihah 567 — Imam should have a beloved personality

Abu Abdullah Sanabahi says: Janadah bin Abu Umayyah began to gather people for congregation. When he stood for prayer, he turned to his right and asked: "Are you pleased (with me leading as your imam)?" They replied: "Yes." Then, in the same way, he asked the worshippers standing on his left. Then he said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: 'Whoever leads people in prayer while they dislike him (for a legitimate Islamic reason), then the prayer of that imam will not rise above his neck (i.e., it will not be accepted).'"