Is it permissible to pray behind a Imam who has the ability to grow a beard but shaves it? Because it is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari that the Prophet (SAW) said: Cut the moustache and leave the beard alone; be different from the Mushrikeen. And in Sahih Muslim it is narrated by Abu Hurayrah (raa) that the Prophet (SAW) said:Trim the moustache and let the beard grow; be different from the magians (Zoroastrians). And in Sahih al-Bukhari narrated by Abu Hurayrah (raa) Allah's Apostle (SAW) said: Whoever obeys me obeys Allah and whoever disobeys me disobeys Allah and whoever obeys a ruler I appoint obeys me and whoever disobeys him disobeys me. (vol.9 251)

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

There is no doubt that if the Imam shaves his beard willingly and deliberately while knowing the ruling and without being forced to do so, then his sin is greater and more confirmed as he should be an example for all Muslims and this act is unsuitable for him.

However, if this Imam knows the rulings of the prayer and recites the Quran properly, then you can pray behind him if you cannot find another Imam (who grows his beard) especially if the Imam who shaves his beard is the Imam of the mosque and he gets a salary for being an Imam. In which case, you should advise him in a soft and gentle manner and clarify to him the Sunnah in growing the beard.

If there is another Imam in the area who follows the Sunnah, you should pray behind him even if he is less knowledgeable than the beardless one, and even if the mosque is far from you.

As regards praying behind innovators and dissolute people, then the prayer behind them is valid according to the most correct opinion of the scholars unless the innovation takes the person out of the fold of Islam, like the Jahmiyah and the like. You should then advise them; if they take heed, praise be to Allah, otherwise you should try to have an Imam who follows the Sunnah and who is just and trustworthy. However, if doing so leads to a greater disadvantage, then you may pray behind them, and if there are other Imams who abide by the Sunnah, then you should pray behind them even if the place is far. Nonetheless, one should not pray at home.

Allah knows best.