Is it permissible to pray behind an imam who smokes?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If it is possible not to present a smoking Imam for the imamate, then he should not be presented. But if preventing him would lead to a greater harm, then he should not be prevented; rather, one should pray behind him, and prioritizing the righteous is better. If performing Friday prayers and congregational prayers is not possible except behind a transgressor, then the prayer should not be repeated.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/49470
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 49470
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy