The imam praying while sitting due to his illness, or appointing someone else in his place

The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: Is it better for the imam to pray sitting down because of his illness, or should he appoint someone to take his place?

The Shaykh:
Is it better?

The questioner:
The imam praying sitting down because of his illness, or appointing someone to take his place.

The Shaykh:
Both are permissible, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did both: he appointed someone to lead the prayer, and he prayed sitting down with his Companions. This applies to the regular imam, the regular imam of the mosque whose illness is expected to end. If he has a chronic illness that is not expected to end and he cannot pray standing, then he does not serve as imam; he does not serve as imam. He does not continue as imam except under two conditions: that he is the regular imam of the neighborhood, and that his illness is expected to end. Yes.