If the imam is delayed and a man has already prayed with the people, is it permissible for him to step forward and lead the people in prayer?
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Question : The imam fights if the salam is delayed and he begins, then someone arrives who steps forward and asks him?
Answer : Yes, my father. As for if he prayed without the imam's permission, is it that he should delay it?
Yes, and it is clear, because this is an encroachment on his place, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 673a. As for if it is with your permission, such that the imam has said to him, "If I am delayed ten minutes or something like that, pray," and then he arrives, he may delay him and complete the prayer with him. But is it better to delay him or not? He says: As for if he is his deputy, it is better not to delay him, considering the breaking of his heart, and it may also cause confusion for the praying people. As for if he is an encroacher, he may delay him. And were it not for... were it not for... were it not for... I would say he may follow him by stopping him forcefully. Yes, but we do not like this to happen.
Answer : Yes, my father. As for if he prayed without the imam's permission, is it that he should delay it?
Yes, and it is clear, because this is an encroachment on his place, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
No man must lead another in prayer where (the latter) has authority
لاَ يَؤُمَّنَّ الرَّجُلُ الرَّجُلَ فِي سُلْطَانِهِ
Source
قناة «فضيلة الشيخ محمد بن صالح العثيمين»، 1182 - 4600 إذا تأخر الإمام وجاء و قد صلى بهم رجل هل له أن يتقدم ويصلي بالناس؟ ابن عثيمين — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.
