How can a man who shaves his beard be judged as a fasiq (transgressor), given the possibility of his being ignorant or misinterpreting (the religious texts)? And what is the definition of a fasiq, concerning whom jurists have differed regarding the validity of his imamate? And what is the ruling on the questioner's prayer behind imams who shave their beards, and are his previous prayers behind them valid?

Disputed issues, such as growing a beard, do not render a follower (muqallid) or an interpreter (muta'awwil) فاسق (fasiq - dissolute or impious). We hold the view that growing a beard is obligatory, and that one who shaves it while believing it to be forbidden is rendered fasiq. However, one who shaves it due to an interpretation (ta'wil) or by following (taqleed) someone who does not consider shaving it forbidden is not rendered fasiq thereby. Imam Al-Qarafi holds that a scholar is not discredited or rendered fasiq by an issue subject to dispute, as long as the following (taqleed) is sound. This is what Hanbali jurists explicitly stated regarding the consumption of nabidh (a type of fermented drink) about which there is disagreement: its drinker is not rendered fasiq if he believes it to be permissible, and prayer behind him is valid. Based on this, one who shaves his beard is not rendered fasiq if he is ignorant of its obligation or if he follows someone who only considers it disliked (makrooh). However, one who believes it to be forbidden and insists on shaving it is rendered fasiq. As for praying behind a fasiq, it is a matter of dispute, and the preponderant view is that it is valid.