What is the ruling on the prayer of an Imam who deliberately omits the first Tashahhud?
Chapter on the Two Prostrations of Forgetfulness
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
If the Imam intentionally omits the first Tashahhud while knowing that its omission is forbidden, his prayer is invalidated because he intentionally added a component of the same kind or intentionally omitted an obligation. However, if he does so out of ignorance of the prohibition or forgetfulness, his prayer is not invalidated because the omission is considered an act of forgetfulness.
Supporting text
If the Imam realizes the prohibition while still in the sitting position for the first Tashahhud, he must rise and not complete the sitting.