Is it permissible to pray behind an imam who smokes and gossips excessively, and does not perform ablution (wudu') before prayer?
It is not permissible to pray behind someone who is known to lead people in prayer without performing ablution (wudu'). And whoever prays behind him, knowing that he is in a state of ritual impurity (hadath), his prayer is invalid and he must repeat it.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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