Is it permissible for the imam to shorten the prayer in order to unite hearts?

The questioner : Shaykh, if we return to the hadith: and say that shortening the prayer within the limits that most of the ma'mum (those praying behind the imam) find suitable for them is a means of uniting hearts, is that permissible or not permissible from the standpoint of uniting hearts?

The Shaykh : My brother, uniting hearts is not achieved by contradicting the Sunnah; but uniting hearts is achieved, first, by teaching these hearts and acquainting them with the Sunnah, and then proceeding in the da'wah (calling others to Islam) gradually. We do not say now that he should actually recite Surah al-Saffat (The Ranks) in full; but we tell these people that your interpretation of shortening is a subjective interpretation, a haphazard interpretation. You must leave the matter to the imam; this imam is the one who assesses the situation. But an imam who, in order to unite hearts, conceals the Sunnah, this is not uniting hearts. This is weakness on his part and a reversal of his function. His function is that he is the imam, and he becomes a ma'mum (one praying behind the imam) to the ma'mum (those praying behind the imam). So the real matter requires knowledge, da'wah (calling others to Islam), and wisdom in the da'wah (calling others to Islam).

The questioner : The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said that when he saw, for example, that a child was crying or something like that, he would shorten the prayer.

The Shaykh : This is an incidental matter, not a Sunnah to be followed. Yes, this is a valid point.