Is it permissible to pray behind a charlatan who claims to read palms and coffee cups, and who leads people in prayer in the absence of the regular Imam, while he is the only one in that area who memorizes the Qur’an?

It is not permissible to pray behind someone who claims knowledge of the unseen through reading coffee cups, palms, or similar methods, because claiming knowledge of the unseen is an act of disbelief (kufr). Sheikh Ibn Baz, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked about praying behind a sorcerer and charlatan, and he replied that whoever claims knowledge of the unseen is a disbeliever, and one should not pray behind him, based on the saying of Allah the Almighty: (Say: None in the heavens or on earth knows the unseen except Allah) An-Naml/65. Similarly, a sorcerer's ruling is the same as that of disbelievers, based on the saying of Allah the Almighty: (And Solomon did not disbelieve, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic). As for someone who commits sins that do not amount to disbelief, praying behind him is valid, although it is preferable to seek someone else. One should not pray behind someone who invokes other than Allah or seeks help from the dead, because he is among the disbelievers. This person should be advised, and the regular Imam should be alerted to his condition.