The follower stepping in to lead the prayer when the imam is delayed
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner:
Between the two Shaykhs, the imam may change or be delayed with the congregation, and it is the view that the follower should step forward to lead the prayer with the congregation, because he is the most deserving of the followers to lead the congregation.
The Shaykh:
Yes.
The questioner:
He rejects and strikes the hypocrite by saying that if you do not step forward, he may step forward or strike you. He said that responsibility is monitored by faith. What is your opinion of his saying this?
The Shaykh:
What is recommended, or rather obligatory, for the one who has the qualification, when the imam is delayed significantly, is that he should step forward and lead the prayer, unless there is a barrier. Some people have a psychological barrier; they are unable to do it, especially if they are caught off guard and told to step forward, they may become flustered, or they may lack the courage, and their confidence in leading the prayer may be lacking. This is a barrier that excuses them. However, if he has no barrier and has the courage, and he abandons the people or leaves them to be led by someone who may not be suitable for the imamah, he is in error in this, without doubt. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:[Al-Ma'idah 5:2] And when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was delayed in some of his circumstances, when he went out to reconcile the Ansar, 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf stepped forward and led the Muslims in prayer. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) came while he was in prayer, and the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed behind him, and he approved of that. This indicates that if the imam is delayed and there is among the followers someone suitable for the imamah, he should step forward, and he will have the reward for this. Should one not hesitate or be negligent in this, because this causes a Muslim to miss out on much good, especially a student of knowledge. A delay of five or ten minutes is not considered a delay, but if he is delayed a long time, or if he dismisses them by saying, "Pray," or if he sends them away saying, "Pray," without appointing anyone,
As for the occasions: when he went out to reconcile the Ansar, 'Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Zubayr stepped forward, and 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf led the Muslims in prayer. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived while he was in prayer, so the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed behind him and approved of it. This indicates that if the imam is delayed and there is among the ma'mum (those praying behind him) someone qualified for the imamah (leading the prayer), he should step forward; he will receive the reward for this. Should one not hesitate or be negligent in this matter? Because this causes a Muslim to miss out on much good, especially a student of knowledge. A delay of five or ten minutes does not count as a delay, but if he is delayed for a long time, or if he belittles them, he should say, "Pray." If he belittles them, he should send them away and say, "Pray," without appointing anyone.
Between the two Shaykhs, the imam may change or be delayed with the congregation, and it is the view that the follower should step forward to lead the prayer with the congregation, because he is the most deserving of the followers to lead the congregation.
The Shaykh:
Yes.
The questioner:
He rejects and strikes the hypocrite by saying that if you do not step forward, he may step forward or strike you. He said that responsibility is monitored by faith. What is your opinion of his saying this?
The Shaykh:
What is recommended, or rather obligatory, for the one who has the qualification, when the imam is delayed significantly, is that he should step forward and lead the prayer, unless there is a barrier. Some people have a psychological barrier; they are unable to do it, especially if they are caught off guard and told to step forward, they may become flustered, or they may lack the courage, and their confidence in leading the prayer may be lacking. This is a barrier that excuses them. However, if he has no barrier and has the courage, and he abandons the people or leaves them to be led by someone who may not be suitable for the imamah, he is in error in this, without doubt. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:
And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.
وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِAs for the occasions: when he went out to reconcile the Ansar, 'Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Zubayr stepped forward, and 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf led the Muslims in prayer. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived while he was in prayer, so the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed behind him and approved of it. This indicates that if the imam is delayed and there is among the ma'mum (those praying behind him) someone qualified for the imamah (leading the prayer), he should step forward; he will receive the reward for this. Should one not hesitate or be negligent in this matter? Because this causes a Muslim to miss out on much good, especially a student of knowledge. A delay of five or ten minutes does not count as a delay, but if he is delayed for a long time, or if he belittles them, he should say, "Pray." If he belittles them, he should send them away and say, "Pray," without appointing anyone.
Source
شرح بلوغ المرام من أدلة الأحكام [ صالح الفوزان ]، تابع باب نواقض الوضوء - 3 — islamhouse.com (1:03:59)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.