❀ Ruling on Praying Behind an Imam Who Smokes ❀
Is it permissible to offer prayer behind someone who smokes cigarettes?
Fadhīlat al-Shaykh ‘Abd al-Wakīl Nāṣir (ḥafiẓahullāh)
If a person is leading a group of individuals in prayer—such as in a market or elsewhere—due to the mosque being far, then in such a case, there is no harm in praying in congregation behind him.
As long as the person’s beliefs (‘aqīdah) are sound and he performs the prayer according to the Sunnah, then the prayer behind him will be valid.
However, appointing such an individual as a permanent imam is questionable and should be avoided when possible.
Conclusion:
It is permissible to pray behind a smoker if he fulfills the basic Islamic conditions of belief and prayer, but it is better to refrain from making him a permanent imam.
❖ Question:
Is it permissible to offer prayer behind someone who smokes cigarettes?
❖ Answer by:
Fadhīlat al-Shaykh ‘Abd al-Wakīl Nāṣir (ḥafiẓahullāh)
If a person is leading a group of individuals in prayer—such as in a market or elsewhere—due to the mosque being far, then in such a case, there is no harm in praying in congregation behind him.
✿ Concerning His Smoking or Shaving the Beard:
As long as the person’s beliefs (‘aqīdah) are sound and he performs the prayer according to the Sunnah, then the prayer behind him will be valid.
However, appointing such an individual as a permanent imam is questionable and should be avoided when possible.
Conclusion:It is permissible to pray behind a smoker if he fulfills the basic Islamic conditions of belief and prayer, but it is better to refrain from making him a permanent imam.
