The Imam’s Consideration for the State of the Congregation When He Is Delayed

Question:
Some ignorant people, O our honorable Shaykh, get annoyed when the imam is delayed; they look around, and the virtue of waiting for the prayer escapes their minds, O Shaykh?

Answer:
Yes. If the imam has an excuse for being delayed, they do not find it bothersome or become bored, because they are in a good state, for they are in a good state and they are in prayer. The imam considers the state of the congregation, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to consider the state of his Companions: if he saw them hastening, he would hasten, and if he saw them delaying, he would delay. The imam considers the state of the congregation, unless doing so causes hardship for those sitting in the mosque; in that case, considering the state of those sitting is more important than considering the state of those arriving. Yes.