The Sunnah for the Imam in Coming to the Mosque
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The questioner: What is the Sunnah for the Imam? Is it to come early, or to come at the time of the iqamah?The Shaykh: You mean his attendance at the mosque?The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh: The Sunnah for the Imam is to remain in his house performing the voluntary prayer before the obligatory one, such as the Fajr and Zuhr prayers, or to do whatever he wishes. Then, when the time for the iqamah arrives, he attends. This is how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do it. However, if he comes earlier, there is nothing wrong with it.Meaning, it is not said: This is a religious innovation. The Imam might, for example, see it in the public interest to come early in order to encourage people to come early. This might be better. But if there is no stronger benefit, it is better for him to remain in his house until the time for the iqamah arrives, especially on Friday. Some of the brothers, who are Imams and preachers, come early on Friday.He says: Because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged coming early on Friday.It is said: The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged coming early on Friday, but he legislated for his Ummah that the Imam should not come except when the time for prayer arrives. So the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not come for the Friday prayer except when the time for prayer arrived. Therefore, it is not recommended for the Imam to come early on Friday; rather, he remains in his house until the time for prayer arrives. He is rewarded for remaining in his house, just as the early-arriving followers are rewarded.
The Shaykh: The Sunnah for the Imam is to remain in his house performing the voluntary prayer before the obligatory one, such as the Fajr and Zuhr prayers, or to do whatever he wishes. Then, when the time for the iqamah arrives, he attends. This is how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do it. However, if he comes earlier, there is nothing wrong with it.Meaning, it is not said: This is a religious innovation. The Imam might, for example, see it in the public interest to come early in order to encourage people to come early. This might be better. But if there is no stronger benefit, it is better for him to remain in his house until the time for the iqamah arrives, especially on Friday. Some of the brothers, who are Imams and preachers, come early on Friday.He says: Because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged coming early on Friday.It is said: The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged coming early on Friday, but he legislated for his Ummah that the Imam should not come except when the time for prayer arrives. So the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not come for the Friday prayer except when the time for prayer arrived. Therefore, it is not recommended for the Imam to come early on Friday; rather, he remains in his house until the time for prayer arrives. He is rewarded for remaining in his house, just as the early-arriving followers are rewarded.