Prayer: Can we pray in jamā‘ah behind a just non-scholar, or must the imam be an Islamic scholar?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Prayer: Can we pray in jamā‘ah behind a just non-scholar, or must the imam be an Islamic scholar?

English:

Question #561:

We are a group of youngsters who gather in some religious places and whenever it is time for prayers, we appoint one among ourselves who is ‘ādil and perform prayers behind him. There are some people who confront us and say that according to Imam Khomeini’s ruling, one should not perform his prayer behind a person who is not an Islamic scholar? What is our duty?

Answer #561:

Whenever an Islamic scholar is available, one should not pray behind one who is not an Islamic scholar.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Prayer