The ruling on the imam’s absence from the mosque and appointing someone else

Question : The questioner says: I am the imam of a mosque. I have placed someone in my position to lead the prayer during my absence, and I give him part of the salary or the fourth, and I take the rest. Is there any sin on me? I know that my circumstances compel me not to leave the mosque because I have debts, in addition to my family whom I am responsible for. And peace be upon you.

Answer : This is like the first case. It is not permissible for a person to be absent from the mosque whose leading he has committed to, even if there is a compelling excuse. Accordingly, it is not permissible for him to appoint anyone to pray in his place, whether Saudi, Egyptian, Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, or Indian, absolutely not, except for an excuse. If there is a compelling excuse, two things are necessary: the first is to consult the authorities responsible for the mosques, meaning the Endowments Department in the country, and the second is the consent of the neighborhood to the imam he has appointed as his deputy. As for negligence, as it appears from the question—taking the full salary and then placing someone there and giving him a part of the salary—that is a mistake.