The imamate of one who trims his beard, and repeating the prayer behind him

Question

Here, in a certain mosque, when in some prayer the regular imam cannot arrive at the time of the congregation because of some business, another person leads the prayer in his place — one who is educated but has his beard trimmed. The followers (muqtadis) who [themselves] have their beards shaved pray behind him and then afterwards repeat their prayer. What is [the ruling on] their doing so?

Answer

The imam ought to be a follower of the sunna; but it is not necessary for such followers to repeat the prayer performed behind such an imam.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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