Imamate of an Imam Who Sold the Mosque’s Shop

Question

There was a shop in the gateway of the mosque. The imam of the mosque sold this shop, and when people raised an outcry, he returned the money. Is it permissible for such an imam to lead the prayer?

Answer

If he did this because he did not know the ruling and then repented, it deserves to be overlooked; otherwise his imamate is makruh.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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