If a person is asked to lead the people in prayer and he declines, does he sin?

The Shaykh : And are you still leading the people, Abu Ahmad? We have advised you that you should save yourself.

The questioner : O Shaykh, if you please, regarding the imam, if he is asked to lead and he declines, what sin is upon him?

The Shaykh : If there is no one else to lead, then he sins.

The questioner : How are they supposed to know? They all have beards and are standing...?

The Shaykh : Listen, let us finish with this. No offense, but how are we supposed to know this? This is not a legal question; this is a situational question...

The questioner : I mean, do I consult myself to see if I am capable, for example?

The Shaykh : No, you know yourself, but you think that among them are scholars and reciters. So, if it is your strong belief that there are scholars and reciters among them, do not step forward. If it is your strong belief that there are no scholars or reciters among them, then step forward. So, there is no difficulty in the matter. In fact, many matters do not require certainty; they only require a strong belief.