Reviling the imam and slandering him

Question

(1) If a muqtadi (follower) reviles his imam, accuses him of sodomy, and then prays behind him — is his prayer valid?

Answer

Reviling is forbidden towards anyone at all, and respect for the imam is all the more necessary; to say such a grave thing without legal (shar'i) proof is a very great crime and a grave sin, and asking forgiveness is wajib.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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