Some imams deliver a speech after every Tarawih prayer and before the Witr prayer; what is your opinion?

The questioner : Please. A man asks: In the Tarawih prayer, every day of Ramadan for thirty days, a speech is delivered for ten minutes before the Witr prayer. What is your opinion?

The Shaykh : In my opinion, this is a mistake. This is an error.

The questioner : It is an innovation initiated by the Shaykh.

The Shaykh : The issue is whether it is a bid'ah (religious innovation) or not, but it is a mistake because it holds the people back. If he wants to finish the Witr, let him sit, and let those who want to leave, leave. He should act in the interest of the people. But if the interest involves causing harm, does it harm the people? How many people might be trapped, for example, have an appointment, have a sick person, or be a driver who wants to leave? For this reason, the Companions criticized the Banu Umayyah for moving the Eid sermon before the prayer on the pretext that they would preach to keep the people in the prayer. They criticized them. I do as well.