The imamate of a thief after repenting of theft

Question

A certain man has been punished several times in cases of theft, and there is still apprehension of this, but the man has repented and is regular in prayer. Can this man lead people in prayer or not?

Answer

If, regretting his past life, he has sincerely repented and has obtained forgiveness from those whose property he stole, or has set about returning it, then there is strong hope that Allah Most High (Haqq Ta‘ala) will forgive [him], and in this state his imamate will also be proper.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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