Many hadiths have been related that warn against leading a congregation while one is disliked by them. Dislike here relates to one’s religious conduct and is based on a valid reason.
Sheikh Sayyed Sabiq states in his well-known book, Fiqh Us-Sunnah: Many hadiths have been related which warn against leading a congregation while one is disliked by them. Dislike here relates to one’s religious conduct and is based on a valid reason. Ibn `Abbas relates that the Prophet said, “Three people’s Prayers will not rise above their head the length of a hand’s span. [They are:] a man who leads a people in Prayer and they do not like him, a woman who has disobeyed her husband and he is displeased with her, and two brothers who are estranged” (Ibn Majah).
`Abdullah ibn `Amr relates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Allah does not accept Prayers from three [types of] people: a man who leads a people and they dislike him, a man who attends the Prayers after their time is finished, and a man who re-enslaves his freed slave” (Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah). Elaborating upon it, At-Tirmidhi says, “It is disliked that a man should lead a people in Prayer while they dislike him. If the imam is not a wrongdoer, then the sin is upon those who don’t like him.”