Praying behind an imam with whom the followers are displeased

Question

An imam has been leading the prayer in the village of Qasimpur for seven years, and the people are extremely displeased with his imamate and very troubled; there have also been quarrels with the imam several times, yet he keeps on leading the prayer. The reason for his imamate is that he has won over two to four men to his side. All the worshippers are displeased. What is the status of such a person’s imamate — is it makruh or haram? And what is the ruling on praying behind him — is prayer behind him valid or not?

Answer

If there is some reason in the imam on account of which his imamate is impermissible, then it is necessary for the imam to reform himself, and as long as that reason exists he should not lead the prayer but should step aside of his own accord. Allah is displeased with a person behind whom the followers, for a Shari‘a reason, do not like to pray.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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