What Sharia guidance should be followed regarding an imam who does not open the mosque regularly for Fajr prayer, is absent from the other prayers, and claims he is committed only to the Friday sermon? He also practises ruqyah as a profession and threatens worshippers who ask him to fulfil his duties.

We advise you to refer the matter to the competent ministry and inform them of the Imam's dereliction of duty. If he is not replaced, then seek out someone skilled in recitation to lead you in prayer when the Imam is absent, and inform the security authorities of the reason for your leading prayers without authorization. We also advise the Imam to fear Allah and perform his duty. If he is unable, he should make way for someone else, and beware that his actions do not cause discord or lead to the closure of the mosque, for then he would fall under the saying of Allah the Almighty: "And who is more unjust than those who prevent the mosques of Allah from His Name being mentioned therein and strive for their ruin? Those [who do so] should not enter them except in fear. For them in this world is disgrace, and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment" (Al-Baqarah: 114). And you should increase in seeking forgiveness, for "Whatever calamity strikes you, it is because of what your hands have earned, and He pardons much" (Ash-Shura: 30).