The Imam's Response to One Who Commands the Iqamah When the Adhan Ends

Question:
Finally, some imams in the Maghrib prayer, as soon as the mu'adhdhin finishes the adhan, order him to give the iqamah. Should he comply?

Answer:
It is in accordance with the Sunnah not to hasten. The Sunnah is to pause for a while between the adhan and the iqamah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not give the iqamah immediately after the adhan; he would delay it. He would pray two rak'ahs after the adhan. He said (peace and blessings be upon him): "Between every adhan is a prayer, between every adhan is a prayer, between every adhan, whoever wishes may pray." He said: "Pray before Maghrib, pray before Maghrib, then whoever wishes may pray before the second [call]." This indicates that one should not hasten the iqamah, but rather there should be a space between the adhan and the iqamah in which people can pray two rak'ahs, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) indicated. And no [correction], no [correction], no [correction]. May Allah send prayers upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).