Is the Imam's supplication for the ruler – "for guidance, success, and victory for his army" – considered an act of wickedness (fisq) or disbelief (kufr)? Is it permissible to pray behind him? Does he have an excuse for this? And is it obligatory to ask him about the reason for his supplication despite the potential danger?

Ibn Abi al-Dunya and al-Bayhaqi reported from Al-Hasan al-Basri his saying: "Whoever prays for the survival of an oppressor has loved that Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, be disobeyed." This is serious, unlike praying for his guidance or success, which is lighter and broader. However, if the one praying harbors a love for the triumph of disbelief over Islam, that is hypocrisy. But if the motive is worldly gain, averting harm, or coercion, it is lighter. The ruling varies according to the supplication, the state of the supplicant, and its reason. The general principle is the validity of prayer behind an imam as long as he is a Muslim, and this is emphasized if there is fear of harm by not praying behind him. Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz used to pray: "O Allah, set right whoever, in his righteousness, there is righteousness for the Ummah of Muhammad. O Allah, destroy whoever, in his destruction, there is righteousness for the Ummah of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him."