The Imamate of One Who Smokes Tobacco

Question

What is the ruling on the imamate of an imam who smokes tobacco?

Answer

The prayer behind an imam who smokes tobacco is also valid; however, coming to the mosque with a foul-smelling mouth is makruh tahrimi. He should therefore clean his mouth thoroughly with wudu and a miswak and [only then] come to the mosque; otherwise the angels too will be harmed.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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