What is the ruling on one who calls the adhan before the time, and is it permissible to pray before the time out of fear of fitnah? And does he intend to stand in night prayer?

The questioner : In Egypt, they pray the Fajr prayer about five minutes or less after the adhan. So if one of us is appointed to lead the people in prayer, what should he pray? Is it possible, out of fear of fitnah, because these people will not respond to him, that he intends to stand in night prayer while they pray Fajr behind him, and then he prays Fajr when its time arrives?

The Shaykh : Your question seems to be based on the assumption that the problem existing here also exists there. Is that so?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Do you mean you are certain that in Egypt, the calamity is as it is here, that they call the adhan before the time?

The questioner : Yes, and a group of the supporters of the Sunnah said that, after they clarified this, the adhan is called before the entry of Fajr, by approximately twenty-one minutes.

The Shaykh : This appears to be a general calamity. So, based on what you mentioned, the answer is that he should pray with them a voluntary prayer.

The questioner : A voluntary prayer.

The Shaykh : Then he prays his obligatory prayer after he is certain that the time has entered.

The questioner : Out of fear of fitnah.

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner: May Allah reward you.