The Imam Prolonging the Qunut and Leaving the Prayer Because of It

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, this questioner says: One of the young men led us in the tarawih prayer and recited the qunut, but he prolonged it greatly, using much rhyming, melodic intonation, and musical composition in his supplication, which made it unbearable for me, so I left the prayer. Is my action correct or wrong? And does this kind of qunut invalidate the prayer?

Answer:
This is wrong in any case; it is wrong in our view. It is a hardship for the ma'mum (those praying behind the imam). As for your leaving the prayer, if it was due to a need or a hardship upon you, there is no harm in that; there is no harm in that. The man who prayed behind Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him), and Mu'adh prolonged the recitation of Surat al-Baqarah in the prayer, the man separated, prayed, completed his prayer, and went to his business. That reached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he did not disapprove of it. If separating from the imam is due to a need that arises for you, there is no harm in that. And among such things is the prolongation that leans toward [excess]; this is a prolongation that leans toward [excess] without any reason, and it is a hardship for the ma'mum. People have their own occupations, and among them are the elderly, and among them are those with needs, so he should take that into consideration. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If the imam wishes, he should consider the conditions of the ma'mum, so he does not burden them, and he should follow the weakest among them. Yes.