The ruling on the imam prolonging the prayer

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, this questioner says: What is the ruling on prolonging the prayer for the imam?

Answer:
It is not permissible for him to make it difficult for the ma'mum (those praying behind him); rather, he should consider their circumstances. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) rebuked Mu'adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him), who used to prolong the prayer with his people and recite Surat al-Baqarah in it, and said to him: ? Meaning, are you causing them to be fitnah (trial) in their prayer until they speak and say things? So it is not permissible for a person to prolong [the prayer] in a way that makes it difficult for the ma'mum; he should consider their circumstances. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Yes.