Is it permissible to pray behind an imam who says that Allah is everywhere, citing weak and fabricated hadiths, and practices some innovations such as congregational supplication after the obligatory prayer?

The belief that Allah is everywhere is false and contradicts what the Muslims believe concerning Allah's

establishment upon His Throne and His elevatedness above His creation. This belief leads to very

repugnant consequences, among which is that Allah – highly exalted is Allah above that – would be in

filthy places.

It is obligatory to advise those who differ in these major doctrinal issues.

If the Imam of the mosque insists on this corrupt statement, then the validity of praying behind him is a

matter of dispute among scholars. Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah holds the view that it is permissible to

pray behind him, because he is not judged as an unbeliever merely for uttering this innovation, as it is

most likely that he is misguidedly interpreting or ignorant.

It is from the principles of the Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah to pray behind every righteous and wicked

person, as long as no innovation or wickedness becomes apparent from him. If his innovation becomes

apparent, then there is dispute and elaboration regarding praying behind him:

1. If there is no other Imam available, such as for the Jumu’ah prayer, the two Eid prayers, and

Hajj, or if it is the only mosque in the village, then it is prayed behind him by the agreement of

the Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah.

2. If it is possible to pray behind someone other than the innovator, then that is better.

3. Praying behind someone whose condition is concealed is permissible by the agreement of Muslim

scholars.

Ahmad ibn Hanbal did not declare the Jahmiyyah to be disbelievers; rather, he prayed behind them, and

he held the view of following them in prayers.

In summary: This teacher does not become an unbeliever merely by uttering this innovation, so praying

behind him is valid. However, if you find an Imam from the Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, then praying

behind him is better.