✦ Extracted from: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 241
Enhanced for clarity with structured headings.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
"اجعلوا ائمتکم خیارکم"
“Appoint the best among you as your imams.”
(Narrated in various collections of Hadith)
However, if someone does perform the prayer behind him, their prayer will still be considered valid, though it is not the preferred or ideal situation.
Enhanced for clarity with structured headings.
❖ Question
Is it permissible to pray behind a person who deliberately shaves his beard?❖ Answer
A person who intentionally shaves his beard is regarded as a fāsiq (open sinner). According to Islamic teachings, such a person should not be appointed as an imam deliberately.The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
"اجعلوا ائمتکم خیارکم"
“Appoint the best among you as your imams.”
(Narrated in various collections of Hadith)
❖ Practical Ruling
If a fāsiq individual is leading the prayer and there is no risk of fitnah (disorder) or division by avoiding prayer behind him, then one should not pray behind such an imam.However, if someone does perform the prayer behind him, their prayer will still be considered valid, though it is not the preferred or ideal situation.
