Ruling on Praying Behind a Beardless Person

Question​

If the Imām of the mosque is absent at the time of congregational prayer, and among the attendees there are unlearned bearded men, while there is one literate man who has no beard, is it valid to pray behind that beardless person?

Answer​

① Qualifications for Imāmah
◈ The Imām should be one who:
① knows the essential rulings of ṣalāh, and
② has memorized more of the Qur’ān than the other followers.

◈ If all are roughly equal in Qur’ān memorization, then choose the one most learned in Sharīʿī knowledge.

◈ If all are still equal, then the one of greatest age has the right to lead.

② Case of a Young Man Without a Full Beard
✔ If “beardless” here means he has simply not yet grown a beard (i.e., he is near maturity) but is more knowledgeable, then he is entitled to lead.

• Imāmah does not require a full beard, as evidenced by the report of Ḥazrat ʿUmar ibn Salamah al-Murādī, may Allah be pleased with him.

③ Case of a Person Who Shaves His Beard
✘ However, if “beardless” means he intentionally shaves off his beard, then he is considered fāsiq (one who disobeys a clear command) and should not be appointed Imām.

• Leading the prayer behind such a person is disliked (makrūh).

(Maulānā ʿUbaydullāh Raḥmānī, Shaykh al-Ḥadīth & Muftī, Madrasah Muḥaddith Dihlī, Vol. 9, Issue 3)