It is reported to you that you do not hold it permissible for the imam of a mosque to leave his mosque and appoint someone else in his place in order to attend the lessons of the scholars!

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, I am the imam of a mosque, and I arrive at this lesson early, and I appoint a trustworthy person to lead the prayer. A discussion arose between me and the mosque supervisor, as he came and did not find me at the time of the lesson. I told him that I was attending your lesson. He objected to me and reported that you do not approve of this, and that you rebuke those who do this and leave their mosque to attend the lesson. Is what he reported correct, or is my action correct?

Answer:
I do not remember saying that. I say that if you find someone who can perform the obligatory duty, you appoint him and attend the lesson, because this is an excuse; this is a legitimate religious excuse. So if you find someone who can perform the obligatory duty and is qualified to lead the prayer, you attend the lesson. That is what I say. As for whether I said that I rebuked this and that, I do not remember saying any of that. I rebuke those who are absent from leading the prayer without a legitimate religious excuse, except in the case of laziness, where he sits in his house, does not sleep in his bed, does not go out for a walk, and leaves the mosque. That is what I say. As for the one who leaves it for a legitimate religious excuse, such as illness, or travel for a need, or to attend a lesson, and he finds someone to suffice for the prayer, this is cooperation in righteousness and piety. Yes. I wish the supervisors would take action against the negligence and neglect occurring in the mosques, but we have not seen them do so, except in this matter. Yes.