Leading the Prayer by a Volunteer When the Official Imam Is Late and an Extra Rak'ah Is Added

Question:
The imam of a mosque arrived late, and a volunteer had already led the people in prayer. When the official imam is late or absent, the volunteer prays with them. When this official imam arrived, the prayer had already been started and the volunteer was leading them. He entered from between the rows and took back the man who had been leading them. The official imam arrived one rak'ah late, then he led them in the entire prayer, four rak'ahs of the 'Asr prayer. The followers ended up with five rak'ahs. Is this permissible, especially since a great commotion occurred among the mosque congregation and the people of the entire neighborhood?

Answer:
If this causes commotion, it is not permissible. But if no commotion occurs, there is no harm. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived while Abu Bakr was leading the people in prayer. Abu Bakr was late, and the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) took the lead. There is no harm in that if the imam is present: he takes the lead, and the deputy steps back. As for adding to the prayer, that is not permissible. It was obligatory for them to sit down when they had completed four rak'ahs, recite the final tashahhud, and wait for the imam to say the taslim, so they would say it with him, or each would say it for himself. Yes.