The Ruling on an Innovator or a Musbil leading the Prayers

Question :

Is prayer behind an innovator or one who lets his garment hang down (below the ankles) correct?

Answer:

Yes, it is correct, so long as the innovation does not involve disbelief on the part of the innovator, if it does involve disbelief, such as Al-Jahmi and the like, whose innovations take them out of the fold of Islam - prayer behind them is not permissible. But it is incumbent upon the authorities to choose one who is free from innovations and sins and of good character for the position of Imam. Because Imamate is a great responsibility and the one who assumes it is a role model for the Muslims, so it is not permissible for the innovators and the sinners to undertake it, when it is possible to appoint others.

As for letting the clothing hang down below the ankles, it is a kind of disobedience which must be forsaken and warned against, according to the Hadith of the Prophet which states:
"Whatever hangs down below the ankles of the Izar, it will be in the Fire.

Anything other than the Izar carries the same ruling as the Izar, such as the Qamis, Sarawil, Busht and the like.

It has been authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah that he said:
"There are three to whom Allah will not speak, nor will He look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He bear
witness to them and theirs is a painful punishment: The one who lets his Izar hang down, the one who boasts of what he has given and the one who swears falsely in order to sell his wares.

If he lets his garment hang down out of pride and arrogance, then his sin is worse and more deserving of punishment, as the Prophet said:
"Whoever let his garment hang down out of arrogance, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Resurrection.

So it is an obligation upon every Muslim to beware of what Allah has forbidden, including letting the Izar garments hang down and other such sins of disobedience, just as it is incumbent upon him to beware of all innovations, according to the words of the Prophet:
"Whoever innovates a deed which is not in accordance with this matter of ours will have it rejected.

This was recorded by Muslim in his Sahih. He also said:
*The best speech is the Book of Allah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad and the worst of (religious) matters are the newly invented, and every innovation is misguidance.
We ask Allah that He protect us and the Muslims from innovations and sins of disobedience, for He is the Best of those who are asked.