Is it permissible to pray and listen to the Friday sermon behind an imam who has been caught stealing from the mosque's funds, and who, along with his children, lives off this income? And is it permissible to leave the mosque upon being surprised by his presence on the minbar for prayer and go to another mosque?
Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible to appoint a transgressing Imam who drinks alcohol or steals, but the prayer of one who prays behind him is valid, because the rule is that whoever's prayer is valid for himself, the prayer of the people behind him is also valid. One should not leave the Friday prayer unless its Imam is someone behind whom prayer is not valid.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported
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- 42650
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