If the regular imam is usually absent, one person is delegated, and the regular imam prefers that this delegate not combine the prayers, may he argue with him based on the Sunnah?

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : If the regular imam is absent.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : And usually, one person is delegated.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : And the regular imam prefers that he not combine.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : This delegate.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : May he argue with him based on the Sunnah?

The Shaykh : Does the regular imam argue based on the Sunnah, or does the delegate argue?

The questioner : The delegate, the delegate.

The Shaykh : Why not? Each one argues with the other based on the Sunnah.

The questioner : Which one means the other is argued with?

The Shaykh : The one who has the Sunnah.

The questioner : Okay, meaning, he is the imam, like my case, after the 'Asr prayer I have a lesson, so I prefer that this delegate not combine the prayers so that I can give my lesson. Does he mean to obligate me to combine, or not?

The Shaykh : Allow me to tell you, what difference does it make to you if he combines?

The questioner : If he combines, the people do not come.

The Shaykh : No, your lesson must be a concession, not arrogance.

The questioner : Correct.

The Shaykh : He used to give us a concession with the sermon.

The questioner: Correct.

The Shaykh : For fear of boredom and tedium.

The questioner : Meaning, I sometimes leave it.

The Shaykh : No, I do not mean that. I mean, do not impose it on them as an obligation. Do not treat them as the preacher treats those who are preached to, by lengthening the sermon. If it is said to the preacher, "Why do you contradict the Sunnah when you know that the Sunnah is to shorten the sermon and lengthen the prayer?" he says, "My brother, leave me alone. They have no time other than this." If we tell them to attend such-and-such a lesson, they will not attend. So he forces them, he detains them, meaning he imprisons them. So, if it is like today, it is raining.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : You pray with them if you are the imam.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : And you remind them that I am going to combine now.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Either you make the lesson after 'Asr combined with the Zuhr, or you say, "Our meeting is after 'Asr here for the lesson."

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : You arrange the matter however you like, but it is not permissible for you to force the people and detain them. Is that clear?

The questioner : Clear, my Shaykh. Clear.

The Shaykh : All right, may Allah reward you with good.

The questioner : May Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : Welcome.

The questioner : I have one more question, my Shaykh.

The Shaykh: Go ahead.

The questioner : And in it, too, is consulting Allah, may He bless you.

The Shaykh: Go ahead.

The questioner : My Shaykh, regarding this, one person asked me, saying, "My brother, a man hit him with a car, meaning he pushed him. One of the circus followers, a Chinese disbeliever, meaning?"

The Shaykh : Yes, this question came to me.

The questioner : Does he owe an expiation or not?

The Shaykh : I paused; I do not have an answer. It requires review, because the review is based on the authentic hadith: .

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : So, do you see if this half applies here or not? So, I do not have the answer at hand, nor do I have time to study.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh : So, let him ask someone else.