Resuming the imamate after repenting of a mistake

Question

The imam of our mosque, who has been leading the prayer for thirty-two (32) years, made this mistake: outside the mosque lay some baked bricks belonging to a Hindu contractor; he took some of them and put them in [his] room, and after a day or two put them back in the same place exactly as they had been, without making any use of them and without any decrease or increase. The administrator and the followers were displeased with this act, and the imam was dismissed from his post.

Answer

When a person repents with a sincere heart, Allah Most High accepts his repentance and forgives him. In the Noble Qur’an it is said: [ar]إِنِّى لَغَفَّارٌ لِّمَن تَابَ[/ar] “Indeed, I am the Oft-Forgiving to whoever repents” (Surah Ta Ha, 20:82). Therefore, in the case described, the followers’ prayer behind this imam will be valid.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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