The imamate of one who shaves his beard

Question

What is [the ruling on] appointing as imam one who has his beard completely shaved off? Is the prayer behind him [valid] or not?

Answer

Appointing him as imam is makruh. However, if he himself becomes imam and leads the prayer, the prayer will be valid, although one will not get the reward that one would get by praying behind a God-fearing imam.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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