Appointing another imam without a shar‘i reason

Question

The mutawalli wants to make his brother the imam of the mosque in place of the previous imam, although [the brother] has less knowledge than the former imam. Is this permissible or impermissible?

Answer

When a more knowledgeable person who is qualified for the imamate is available, appointing him as imam is afdal (superior) and awla (preferable) in comparison with the less knowledgeable one, although the prayer behind both is valid, provided there is no other shar‘i impediment.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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