The Imam’s Early Arrival at the Mosque

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, the imam of a mosque wishes to arrive early before the adhan or immediately after it. However, I have been informed that a scholar issued a fatwa stating that the imam’s early arrival at the mosque is contrary to the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), as he would not arrive except at the time of the iqamah. Is this statement correct?

Answer:
He said: That is correct. The imam has the choice; he may sit in the mosque until the iqamah, or he may choose to pray in his house, sit in his house, and come when the iqamah is called. The matter is broad in this regard. The matter is broad in this regard. Except for Friday, where the one who is best among them seeks a place outside the mosque until the time of the gathering, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do and as the scholars used to do. This is for Friday. As for the other obligatory prayers, and, if Allah wills, he may sit in his house until