What is the ruling on praying behind a Sufi imam who expresses satisfaction with Al-Hallaj, curses the Wahhabis, invokes blessings upon the Prophet with the phrase "O Allah, bless our master Muhammad, son of Abdullah, a blessing that fills the Throne and all it contains," and recites the Qunut in Fajr prayer with the phrase "O Allah, be to us as the dutiful son to his father"?

Al-Hallaj is among the heretics (zanadiqa) who were executed for their deviation and apostasy. The imams of his era ruled for his execution as an apostate due to the corrupt doctrines he propounded, such as his claim of divinity and his saying, "I am the Truth" (Ana al-Haqq). Whoever affirms his sayings or praises them while knowing his state, then their ruling is the same as Al-Hallaj's. As for someone ignorant of his sayings and heresy, they should be informed of his state and what the jurists (fuqaha') have agreed upon concerning his deviation. If the imam insists on praising Al-Hallaj after knowing his state, then prayer behind him is impermissible.

As for his cursing of the Wahhabis, it is not an excuse to abandon praying behind him. His sending blessings upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, by saying, "O Allah, bless our master Muhammad ibn Abdullah with a blessing that fills the Throne and all that it encompasses," does not contradict Islamic law.

As for his qunut in Fajr prayer, it is contrary to the Sunnah (definition), but this is not an excuse to abandon praying behind him.

As for his saying, "O Allah, be to us like the dutiful son to his parent," it is an ugly statement that indicates the ignorance of its utterer. If he insists on it, then there is no harm in abandoning prayer behind him as a form of censure for him.

One should deal with this imam and others like him with kindness, teaching them, and advising them.