What is the ruling on an imam who refuses to pray in the mosque, claiming he prays with his family due to the mosque's distance, yet he harbors doctrinal errors and verbally abuses congregants? Is it permissible to pray behind him?
Firstly: Congregational prayer in the mosque is obligatory for an able man who hears the call [to prayer], according to the more sound of the two scholarly opinions. Leaving it to pray at home does not justify abandoning the congregation.
Secondly: Raising the hands in prayer at the bowing (ruku'), upon rising from it, and after standing up from the first is authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Mocking this is a grave danger.
Thirdly: This خطيب (speaker/preacher) should be advised and warned against mocking anything from the Sunnah. If he does not respond, then one should stop praying behind him and perform the Friday prayer behind someone else.
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