The Sharʿi Ruling on the Imāmah of a Liar and Deceptive Imam
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, vol. 1, p. 430
❖ The Question
What is the ruling on an imam who is deceitful and lies to seize people’s wealth?
❖ The Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
A person who deceives others and unlawfully acquires wealth through lies and fraud is not fit to be an imam, because such wealth is ḥarām.
Prohibition of Deceit and Unlawful Wealth
The Prophet ﷺ said in his farewell sermon:
«إِنَّ دِمَاءَكُمْ وَأَمْوَالَكُمْ حَرَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ…»
“Indeed, your blood and your wealth are sacred upon you…”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, vol. 2, p. 104)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ also said:
((مَنْ غَشَّ فَلَيْسَ مِنَّا))
“Whoever cheats is not from us.”
➡ Thus, one who commits such ḥarām acts is not suitable for imāmah.
Qualities of an Imam
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«إِجْعَلُوا أَئِمَّتَكُمْ خِيَارَكُمْ، فَإِنَّهُمْ وَفْدُكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَ رَبِّكُمْ»
“Appoint the best among you as your imams, for they are your representatives between you and your Lord.”
(Al-Dāraqutnī; Nayl al-Awṭār vol. 3, pp. 162–164)
Similarly, narrated from Mirthad al-Ghanawī (رضي الله عنه):
“If you wish your prayers to be accepted, let your best (i.e., most righteous) people lead you in prayer, for they are your representatives before Allah.”
Imam Persisting in Major Sins
In Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ it is mentioned that the Prophet ﷺ removed from imāmah a man who spat in the direction of the qiblah.
➡ If such a minor act warranted dismissal, then how much greater is the sin of lying and defrauding people of their wealth!
❖ Ruling
❀ Such an imam must sincerely repent from major sins.
❀ If he does not repent, he should step down from imāmah.
❀ If he refuses, the congregation is obliged to remove him.
Otherwise, the followers (muqtadīs) will become guilty of cooperating in sin and aggression (taʿāwun ʿalā al-ithm wa al-ʿudwān), and their prayers may be at risk of being rejected.
Conclusion
A liar and fraudulent person is not eligible for imāmah.
- Repentance is necessary.
- If unrepentant, he must be removed from his post.
هٰذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
