Is it permissible for Turkish youth not to pray behind imams appointed by the state, on the grounds that they are "like someone who opens a shop and closes it after prayer," and to abandon Friday prayer, citing that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not pray Friday prayer in Mecca? And what are the cases in which one should not pray behind an imam?

There is no doubt about the error of the youth who abandon Friday prayers and congregational prayers. It is part of the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah that prayer is valid behind every righteous and sinful person. The default assumption for appointed imams is uprightness. Even if an imam's transgression is proven, his prayer is valid, just as the Companions prayed behind Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi. The argument of these youth, based on the Prophet's situation in Mecca, for abandoning Friday prayers, is ignorance. The Prophet was unable to establish it due to persecution, whereas these youth live in an Islamic country and mosques are available. We fear that these youth hold corrupt views regarding issues of takfir (declaring someone an apostate). As for requesting phone numbers, it is not available; questions can be sent via the website.