Q: Is it permissible to perform Salah (prayer) behind a Khatib (preacher) who shaves his beard? We appreciate your guidance, may Allah reward you!

A: All Praise be to Allah Alone and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, his family and Companions. Shaving one's beard is prohibited. This is because of what was reported by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them all) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Do the opposite of what the pagans do. Grow the beards and trim the moustaches." Ahmad and Muslim reported also on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Trim closely the moustache, and grow the beard, and thus act against the fire-worshippers." Persisting in shaving one's beard is one of the major sins. Therefore, we have to advise and blame the person who shaves it. He who shaves it will be worthier of advice and recommendation if he is in a leading religious position. If the person who shaves his beard is a mosque Imam and refuses the advice, then you have to dismiss him if it is easy to do so without causing disturbances. Otherwise, whoever can perform Salah behind another righteous person should do so in order to deter this person. If it is not easy to perform Salah behind another person, then performing Salah behind this person is permissible for fulfilling the interest of the community. If performing Salah behind another person who is righteous may lead to disturbances, then it will be permissible to perform Salah behind this person who shaves his beard in order to avoid disturbances and to commit the lesser of the two evils.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.