The occasion of the hadith: "Are you a trial, O Mu'adh?"

Question:
This questioner, O Shaykh, asks: What is the occasion for the Prophet's saying ?

Answer:
The reason is that Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) used to pray with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), then he would go and pray with his people. One time, he happened to pray with his people and recite Surat al-Baqarah.
There was a man behind him who had camels, meaning he had a herd of camels, or he went and prayed. When Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) lengthened the prayer, the man intended to pray alone, so he completed his prayer and went to his camels.
Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) found this difficult and spoke ill of the man, so the man complained to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). He summoned Mu'adh and advised him against this action and lengthening the prayer, because it is burdensome for the people. He said: "Whoever is the imam of the people, let him shorten the prayer, for among them are the old, the sick, and those in need. But if he prays for himself, let him lengthen it as much as he wishes." Yes.