Certain Traits of a Blind Imam

Question

Is the imamate of this person permissible or not? First, he is blind; second, he tells the “letters” for a betting game — though by now this betting game has altogether gone from Shahabad; earlier he used to give tips for betting; third, leaving the congregation of the mosque, he prays in his own room attached to the mosque; fourth, many people have seen that a strange (non-mahram) woman comes at an improper time, that is, until eleven o’clock at night, and they keep talking for hours.

Answer

The question mentions several objectionable matters concerning the said imam: first, being blind; second, telling the “letters” for the betting game; third, not keeping to the congregation; fourth, talking with a strange woman; fifth, calling the adhan without wudu; sixth, smoking the hookah.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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