Q 2: Is it permissible to offer the Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer behind an Imam (leader of congregational Prayer) who shaves his beard; does not recite Du`a'-ul-Istiftah (opening supplication when starting the Prayer) before Surah Al-Fatihah; does not begin with Basmalah (saying, "Bismillah Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim [In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful]"); does not give time enough for Ruku` (bowing) and Sujud (Prostration); and starts collective Du`a' (supplication) and invoking peace upon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) after Salah (Prayer)?

A: Shaving the beard is Haram (prohibited), and a person who shaves it is a Fasiq (someone flagrantly violating Islamic law) if he knows that it is Haram but insists on doing it. However, Salah behind him is valid. As for the fact that he does not say Du`a'-ul-Istiftah, this does not affect the validity of Salah behind him, as it is a Sunnah, not a Wajib (obligatory). As for Basmalah, it should be recited subvocally; there is no evidence on that it should be recited loudly. However, reciting it loudly neither invalidates Salah nor prevents from offering Salah behind a person who does, because (Part No. 7; Page No. 369) the disagreement on this is so well-known. The correct ruling is that it is a Sunnah not to recite it loudly. As for the fact that he does not give time enough for Ruku` and Sujud, if this affects the Khush` (the heart being attuned to the act of worship), his Salah is invalidated and he cannot be an Imam. As for collective Du`a' and invoking peace upon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) after Salah, it is a Bid`ah (innovation in religion), as neither the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) nor his Sahabah (Companions, may Allah be pleased with them) did it. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, If a person does any act for which there is no sanction on our behalf, that is to be rejected. Narrated by Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) Book of Hadith. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.