What is the ruling on praying behind an Imam who commits the following innovations: trims his beard but not his mustache, does not place his right hand over his left, does not instruct the congregants to straighten their rows, begins reciting Al-Fatihah immediately after the opening takbeer, hastens in bowing and prostrating, consistently recites specific surahs after Al-Fatihah, and audibly performs istighfar and dhikr after the prayer, knowing that this is the only mosque in the town?

Advise the Imam gently and kindly regarding the transgressions he commits, such as trimming the beard, lengthening the mustache, and engaging in innovative (bid'ah) remembrances (adhkar). If he does not respond, then the harm of that is upon him. As for his abandoning some Sunnahs, perhaps that goes back to one of the schools of thought (madhahib) among Ahl al-Sunnah (definition), and thus it does not warrant excessive condemnation, but rather a gentle clarification that his school of thought is less preferred (marjuh). The Imam must realize the gravity of his responsibility, be an example, please Allah by conveying His religion, glorify the Prophet's Sunnah, and avoid innovations and newly invented matters.