Is it obligatory for the imam to turn his face toward the congregation if he knows that the rows are straight?

The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, is it obligatory for the imam to turn his face toward the congregation if he knows that the rows are straight?

The Shaykh:
If he knows, how does he know that the rows are straight? He must turn his head to make sure, even if he does not know. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to turn his head, even though he knew, because he could see them from behind him, as he said (peace and blessings be upon him), "He sees them from behind him as he sees them in front of him." This is one of his special characteristics (peace and blessings be upon him). And despite this, he used to turn to the right and to the left. Yes, to make sure. Yes.

The questioner:
And he says, may Allah preserve you, is it obligatory for him to turn his entire body, or is it sufficient for him to just turn to the right and to the left?

The Shaykh:
He turns as much as is needed. He turns according to the need. If he needs to turn his entire body, there is no harm in that. And if turning his face is sufficient, that is enough, because perhaps the congregation has many rows and he needs to turn his entire body. But if it is just one row, it is sufficient for him to turn his face. Yes.