An imam who prays Fajr at 5:30, while sunrise in Riyadh is at 5:43; is his prayer valid?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: In our neighborhood, an imam prays Fajr at 5:30, and sunrise in Riyadh is at 5:43. Is his Fajr prayer at this time valid?

Answer:
It is valid. Before the sun rises, it is valid. However, hastening to pray at the beginning of its time is better. Also, his deviating from the people by praying in this state is not something that should be done. He should not deviate from the people. This is not appropriate for him, because first, this is a deviation from the people, and second, it is missing the beginning of the time. Allah the Exalted knows best, and may Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions.