The ruling on the imam prolonging the prayer

Question:
This man says that he is the imam of one of the mosques, and he wants to ask this question. He says: Your Eminence, Honorable Shaykh, I am a young man and have been in charge of a mosque for more than seven years. What is the standard for the mosque imam regarding prolonging the bowing, prolonging the prostration, and so on? Because some of the congregation criticize me, saying that you prolong it more than necessary, and that there are elderly people and others present.

Answer:
Yes, they are correct in that, and the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said that. He said: “Whoever is the imam of the people, let him shorten the prayer, for among them are the elderly, the sick, and those in need. But if he prays for himself, let him prolong it as much as he wishes.” So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded that the imam should consider the conditions of those praying behind him and not make it difficult for them. Yes.