Aslam o alaikum Brother, Is a Hafiz who has not got a sunnat beard, but wants to lead tarawi, where there are men with proper sunnat beard behind,aloed to lead tarwai?
Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah's guidance)
For Muslim males to grow a beard is Waajib (compulsory), and to let it grow a fist length is Waajib. Without any Sharee reason to cut or shave is Haraam (totally prohibited). He who does so is a Faasiq (sinner) and to shorten it less than a fist length is Makruh Tahrimi (near Haraam).' (Dari Aur Ambiyaa Ki Sunnate, Mufti Saeed Palanpuri).
If a Faasiq person (one who openly violates the Laws of Allah Ta'ala e.g. shaving the beard, etc.) leads the Salaat, his Imaamat will be Makrooh-e-Tahrimi (close to Haraam).
However, following such an Imaam does not invalidate the Salaat and does not necessitate to repeat the Salaat. People who are responsible for appointing such persons will bear the sin.
So it is therefore Wajib for the people to find a Hafiz who has a Shar'ee beard. If they fail to do so, a person who has a Shar'ee beard (not a Hafiz) will be preferred over the Hafiz who does not have a Shar'ee beard.
