We have recently been afflicted by some of the imams of the mosques who shorten the prayer to the extent that the imam bows before the ma'mum has finished al-Fatihah
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The questioner : May Allah reward the honorableThe Shaykh : We have recently been afflicted by some of the imams of the mosques who shorten the prayer to the extent that the imam bows before the ma'mum has finished al-Fatihah, or the imam rises after the first tashahhud before the ma'mum has finished it. Perhaps he says the taslim before the ma'mum has performed the seeking of refuge from the four known things. What is the ruling regarding the imam and the ma'mumin? May Allah reward you with good?
The Shaykh : As for the imam, this action of his is forbidden for him. The scholars said: "It is forbidden for the imam to hasten with a speed that prevents the ma'mumin from doing what is obligatory". It is obligatory for the imam to lead the people in the manner in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led his Companions, and to give the people time. But some people—meaning some imams—when they see the people coming to him because he shortens the prayer or hastens in the iqamah, they are deluded by this. And that will not benefit him with Allah on the Day of Resurrection. It is obligatory for him to fulfill the trust, and to pray with the people as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed with his Companions.
As for the ma'mumin, if it is not possible for them to perform the obligatory, then they must pray in another mosque where they can perform the obligatory. It is not permissible for them to be with this imam with whom they cannot perform the obligatory. If they were to record his prayer and then attach it to those responsible for managing the mosques in order to have him replaced or corrected, that would be better. Yes.
The Shaykh : As for the imam, this action of his is forbidden for him. The scholars said: "It is forbidden for the imam to hasten with a speed that prevents the ma'mumin from doing what is obligatory". It is obligatory for the imam to lead the people in the manner in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led his Companions, and to give the people time. But some people—meaning some imams—when they see the people coming to him because he shortens the prayer or hastens in the iqamah, they are deluded by this. And that will not benefit him with Allah on the Day of Resurrection. It is obligatory for him to fulfill the trust, and to pray with the people as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed with his Companions.
As for the ma'mumin, if it is not possible for them to perform the obligatory, then they must pray in another mosque where they can perform the obligatory. It is not permissible for them to be with this imam with whom they cannot perform the obligatory. If they were to record his prayer and then attach it to those responsible for managing the mosques in order to have him replaced or corrected, that would be better. Yes.