The bad state of an imam, and the measure of the beard

Question

At some distance from our locality there is a Friday (jami') mosque, in which a few people perform most of their prayers. Only the Fajr prayer is such that little time remains for it, and there is a fear that the prayer will be missed while reaching the Friday mosque. In this situation these people perform their prayer behind the regular imam stationed in the mosque of this locality. Is this correct? The beliefs of the respected imam are these: he regards the niyaz (offerings)

Answer

Appointing such a person as imam and praying in following him is not permissible. If this imam does not repent of his corrupt beliefs, worthless sayings and vile deeds and reform himself, and does not become a follower of the sunna, then removing him from the imamate is wajib.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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