Imamate of one who recites incorrectly, does not observe the Shari‘a and has served a sentence

Question

The imam of our mosque does not recite the Noble Qur’an correctly, whereas a reciter of the Qur’an must know the rules of tajwid; he recites entirely against tajwid. He often recites with majhul pronunciation (?), and his articulation is also incorrect. He changes letters, for example reading “ayn al-yaqin” (این الیقین) instead of “‘ayn al-yaqin” (عین الیقین). Is the prayer valid with such a change of letter? Several people do not pray behind him for this reason, which is becoming a cause of strife (fitna)

Answer

The person appointed as imam should be one who is sound in creed (‘aqida), recites the Noble Qur’an correctly, knows the rulings of purity and prayer, observes the Shari‘a and follows the sunna, and is endowed with excellent character.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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