Is a person excused for missing the Friday prayer and the congregational prayer due to the imam's lengthening of the prayer?

Question : Is a person excused by the lengthening of the imam's prayer?

Answer : The answer is yes, a person is excused by the lengthening of the imam if it is an excess beyond the Sunnah. The evidence for this is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not rebuke the man who left his prayer when Mu'adh began reciting Surat al-Baqarah; rather, he rebuked Mu'adh. So if this imam lengthens the prayer to an extent that exceeds what the Sunnah established, the person is excused for not praying behind him. And if no other mosque is available, the obligation of the congregation is lifted from him.