If something happens to the imam that prevents him from continuing, what should he do?

The questioner : What should the imam do if something happens to him that prevents him from continuing his prayer?

The Shaykh : If something happens to the imam that prevents him from continuing his prayer, what should he do? A permanent example is if the imam is afflicted with urinary retention, for instance, while in the middle of the prayer. What should he do? He cannot complete his prayer. We say he should do one of two things. Either he appoints one of the congregation to complete the prayer with them, which is one option, or he leaves without saying anything. If the imam leaves and does not say anything to them, the congregation are in a state of uncertainty. If they wish, they may complete the prayer individually, or if they wish, they may appoint one of them to complete the prayer with him as the imam. So, if something happens to him that prevents him from continuing his prayer, such as urinary retention, he should do one of two things: either he says, "Step forward, so-and-so, and complete the prayer from where I left off," or he leaves without saying anything. This means the outcome is the same from either side. In that case, we tell the followers to appoint one of them to complete the prayer with them, or they may complete the prayer individually. But which of the two is better for the imam?

The presenter : All right.

The Shaykh : It is better for him to appoint one person so that the followers do not disperse, and because 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), when Abu Lu'lu'ah, the slave of al-Mughirah, the Magian, stabbed him, ordered 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf to complete the prayer with them, to complete the prayer with them. Yes, and his story with him...