What is the ruling on the imamate and sermonizing of the son of fornication?

The majority of scholars permit the imamate of an illegitimate child if he fulfills the conditions for leading prayer. However, some disliked him being a regular Imam for fear that he might be subjected to people's criticism or due to his ignorance. The Malikis and Al-Layth hold the view that it is disliked for him to be a regular Imam, while the majority, including Aisha, Al-Nakha'i, and Ahmad, see no harm in his imamate. As for delivering sermons, if his imamate is valid, then there is no objection to him delivering sermons if he meets the conditions of a preacher, which are that he be knowledgeable or delivers sermons from a reliable book, and that he be just. Even if he were a sinner, his prayer and the prayer behind him are valid as long as he is a Muslim.