—one of great magnitude. He is charged with discharging a great obligation and performing a noble duty; therefore he must reach a respectable level in both knowledge and practice. He must also pay close attention to carrying out the prayer as it should be performed and beware of any frivolity while praying—such as excessive movement or constantly fiddling with his hands, as you described. Such behaviour is unbefitting for anyone in prayer, whether imam or congregant. The worshipper is required to maintain humility and composure in the prayer. Allah the Exalted says, “Successful indeed are the believers—those who are humble in their prayer” (23:1–2). Stillness during the prayer and refraining from unnecessary motion are signs of a heart that is humble, whereas movement and fidgeting point to a lack of such humility.

With regard to the questioner’s remark that the imam’s recitation is poor: the imam should indeed have a good level of recitation, for the Prophet ﷺ said, “Let the one who knows the Book of Allah best lead the people in prayer.” Yet if the problem is minor—namely, that he does not excel in the rules of tajwīd (precise Qurʾānic pronunciation)—this does not impair the validity of the prayer. His prayer is valid and his leadership valid. Since the authorities have appointed him as the mosque’s imam, he is not removed on that account. His prayer would be invalid only if he made an error in Sūrat al-Fātiḥah that alters the meaning, or if he omitted a shadda or a single letter from it; in that situation his imamate would not be valid except for someone similar to himself.

As for the additional refinements of recitation and attaining an advanced level of tajwīd, this is praiseworthy when achieved; but if it is not, the prayer remains sound without it.