Imamate of a man who has never married

Question

The imam of our mosque is steadfast in prayer and fasting and is well acquainted with Hanafi fiqh. At present he must be between 50 and 55 years old, but he has not yet married. People here have doubts about his imamate. According to Hanafi fiqh, is the imamate of such an imam valid or not? Please reply in writing.

Answer

If the imam who is 50 or 55 years old and has not married has no need of marriage and is qualified for the imamate, then there is no defect in his imamate on account of his not having married.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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