Several Faults Attributed to an Imam

Question

What is the ruling on praying behind an imam who has the following weaknesses? (1) One who has cut off relations (tark al-muwalat) with one of his followers (muqtadis). (2) One who on the big days goes from house to house collecting rice or flour. (3) One who demands a fee for leading the prayer. (4) One about whom there is a suspicion that he is a fornicator, even though fornication has not been established against him according to the Shari‘a. (5)

Answer

(1) The reason for cutting off relations needs to be known: is it a Shari‘a reason or not? (2) Under what arrangement and for what purpose is this collecting done? (3) Does he demand a monthly, half-yearly or yearly salary, or does he demand a fee for leading a single prayer? (4) Those who suspect are the culpable ones, since they suspect without Shari‘a proof. (5)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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