Guidance for the Imams of Mosques Regarding Attendance and Establishing the Sunnah Prayers

Question:
May Allah do you good. Many questions are asked about imams who do not pray the Fajr prayer in congregation, and about imams who do not pray Fajr. It is obligatory for him to enter immediately after the taslim, and they do not see him establishing the sunnah (recommended practice) prayers, and so on. So what are your instructions for the imams of the mosques?

Answer:
As for the statement that he does not lengthen the sunnah prayers in the mosque, that may be the case. He establishes them, may our Lord bless us. We have not followed up on this matter. If he establishes the sunnah prayers, it is his share and reward; if he leaves them, he loses them. As for the people, the people must attend, and the people must believe in them, have good faith, and adhere to that, and it should not change except due to illness or travel. If he becomes ill or travels, he appoints someone to take his place, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to appoint someone to take his place. He used to appoint someone to take his place up to Badr, (peace and blessings be upon him).
As he used to appoint Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) when he was absent, and he used to appoint Abdullah ibn Umm Maktub when he traveled. He should not write the congregation and leave without appointing someone to take his place among them, and fulfill the obligation for them and others. The authorities responsible for the mosques should monitor the imams. And if one errs, falls short, or is taken by a matter, they should hold him accountable for it. Yes.