What are the conditions for an Imam, and is a bearded person to be preferred over one who shaves his beard, even if the one who shaves his beard is more حافظ (knowledgeable by heart) of the Book of Allah? And is a scholar to be preferred over the appointed Imam? And does the appointed Imam sin if he does not give precedence to someone who is more حافظ of the Book of Allah than him?

The designated Imam (Imam Ratib) is the one appointed by the Sultan, his deputy, the Muslim community, or the endower (Waqif). He is given precedence in leading the prayer over others present, even if someone else is more knowledgeable or a better reciter than him, as long as his recitation is free from obvious errors (Lahn Jali) that invalidate the prayer. Consequently, it is not obligatory to give precedence to the more knowledgeable person over the designated Imam.