What should the imam do if there is an elderly shaykh behind him who cannot follow him in standing, bowing, and prostrating, and should he lengthen the prayer for his sake?

The questioner : May Allah reward the honorableThe Shaykh : If there is a man in the mosque who is advanced in age and does not reach the ground in prostration until the imam is about to rise from prostration, while the imam is maintaining composure and lengthening the prayer, what should the ma'mum in this situation do? Should he match the imam from the moment he descends into prostration, or is it not harmful if he is delayed in following him? The same applies to standing; he does not straighten up in standing until the imam has finished al-Fatihah. What is best for him? And is there any blame on the imam if he senses that this ma'mum does not reach the ground until he is about to rise, or should the imam delay the prayer and lengthen it for his sake, even though he may have reached ten tasbihat? What is best in this situation?

The Shaykh : It is obligatory for this ma'mum who cannot follow the imam due to his weakness or old age not to move from his place until the imam reaches the next pillar. For example, if he is currently standing and the imam prostrates, we say: wait until the imam reaches the ground. In bowing, if he is currently standing, we say: wait until the imam reaches bowing, and then when the imam rises, rise with him, according to the situation. As for the imam, he should take care of such people, because if we are commanded to take care of them by easing things for them, we should also take care of them in this situation, unless it becomes difficult for the ma'mumin, in which case it is obligatory to follow the majority.