I pray in some mosques, and when the imam is delayed, they make me lead them in prayer because it is likely that he permits this. What is the ruling?
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The questioner : He says: I pray in some mosques, and when the imam is delayed, they make me lead them in prayer because it is likely that he permits it and is pleased with it. What is the ruling?
The Shaykh : There is no blame on you if the people of the mosque make you lead them in prayer after the usual time for the iqamah has arrived, on the condition that the imam does not prevent you from doing so. If the imam prevents you, do not step forward. If the imam is pleased, as you mentioned in your question, and is happy with this so as not to burden the ma'mum (those praying behind the imam), then he is to be thanked for this action. However, one should not rely on this to the extent of being negligent in attending, based on the assumption that there is someone in the mosque who can take his place. Rather, it is obligatory for the imam to perform his duty as required of him. However, a person may encounter matters that compel him to be late. The imam should say to the people of the mosque: if I am delayed by five minutes, for example, from the time of the iqamah, then establish the prayer. This will make him comfortable and will also relieve the ma'mum. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you. From the Arab Republic of Egypt, the listener whose name is symbolized by the letters Y, A, M says.
The Shaykh : There is no blame on you if the people of the mosque make you lead them in prayer after the usual time for the iqamah has arrived, on the condition that the imam does not prevent you from doing so. If the imam prevents you, do not step forward. If the imam is pleased, as you mentioned in your question, and is happy with this so as not to burden the ma'mum (those praying behind the imam), then he is to be thanked for this action. However, one should not rely on this to the extent of being negligent in attending, based on the assumption that there is someone in the mosque who can take his place. Rather, it is obligatory for the imam to perform his duty as required of him. However, a person may encounter matters that compel him to be late. The imam should say to the people of the mosque: if I am delayed by five minutes, for example, from the time of the iqamah, then establish the prayer. This will make him comfortable and will also relieve the ma'mum. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you. From the Arab Republic of Egypt, the listener whose name is symbolized by the letters Y, A, M says.