The second question asks: If the imam cuts off his prayer for any reason and leaves without appointing a replacement, what is the ruling? Is there a difference in this if the prayer is the Friday prayer or any other prayer?

The questioner : The second question asks: If the imam cuts off his prayer for any reason and leaves without appointing a replacement, what is the ruling? Is there a difference in this if the prayer is the Friday prayer or any other prayer?

The Shaykh : In fact, the statement "if the imam cuts off his prayer for any reason" must be qualified by the reasons that justify cutting off the prayer.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : As for "for any reason," it is not permissible for the imam to cut off his prayer for any reason. If it is an obligatory prayer, it is clear. If it is a voluntary prayer, it is more preferable that he not cut it off, but rather continue and not cut it off except for a valid purpose.
In any case, if the imam cuts off his prayer for a legal reason or for other than a legal reason: if it is for a legal reason, there is no sin on him; if it is for other than a legal reason, then sin is upon him. If he did not appoint a replacement in this situation, then the followers have one of two options: either they complete the prayer individually, or they appoint one of them, or one of them steps forward to complete the prayer with them, and there is no blame on them in this.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Although it is more preferable.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : If something happens to the imam that justifies leaving the prayer, it is more preferable that he appoint a replacement for them so that confusion does not occur among them.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : This is a message from the listener Khalafan Muhammad Nasser al-Busaydi from the Sultanate of Oman.