A Shaykh led the people in prayer and in the final prostration he said the takbir in his heart and forgot that he was the imam, and the people remained prostrating until he said the taslim. What should they do?

The questioner : A Shaykh is leading the people in prayer, and in the final prostration he raised his head, but he said the takbir in his heart and did not raise his voice with the takbir, so those behind him remained prostrating.

The Shaykh : Until when?

The questioner : Until he said the taslim. He forgot that he was the imam. When he said the taslim, they raised their heads from prostration. So what is the ruling in this case?

The Shaykh : The ruling in this case is:
First: I consider it unlikely that the ma'mum would remain for the duration of the imam's prostration and the duration of his tashahhud while they are prostrating. At the very least, one of them would say, "Our companion has had a stroke," and one of them would stand up. I mean, it is unlikely that they would remain for this length of time.

The questioner : It happened, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh : Glory be to Allah.
In any case, if it happens—and something may happen that is reprehensible and strange—then when the imam says the taslim, they should stand up, recite the tashahhud, and say the taslim. They should recite the tashahhud even after their imam has said the taslim, and then say the taslim.

The questioner : And they do not have to perform the prostration for forgetfulness.

The Shaykh : They do not have to perform the prostration for forgetfulness.

The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.