What is the Sunnah for the imam if he wishes to attend the mosque: should he come early, or should he arrive at the time of the iqamah?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
May Allah reward you, esteemed Shaykh: What is the Sunnah for the imam? Should he come early, or should he arrive at the time of the iqamah?
The Shaykh : You mean his attendance at the mosque?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The Sunnah for the imam is to remain in his home, worshipping with the voluntary prayer before Fajr or Zuhr, or doing whatever he wishes. Then, when the time for the iqamah arrives, he attends. This is how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do it. However, if he comes earlier, there is nothing wrong with it; that is, it is not said that this is a religious innovation. For example, the imam may see it in the public interest to come early in order to encourage people to come early, and this may be better. But if there is no stronger public interest, it is better for him to remain in his home until the time for the iqamah arrives, especially on Friday. Some of the brothers, who are imams and preachers, come early on Friday from the beginning of the time, saying: "Because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged coming early on Friday." It is said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged coming early on Friday, but he legislated for his Ummah that the imam should not come except when the time for prayer arrives. So the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) never came for Friday prayer except when the time for prayer arrived. Therefore, it is not recommended for the imam to come early on Friday; rather, he remains in his home until the time for prayer arrives, and he is rewarded for remaining in his home, just as the early-arriving ma'mums are rewarded.
May Allah reward you, esteemed Shaykh: What is the Sunnah for the imam? Should he come early, or should he arrive at the time of the iqamah?
The Shaykh : You mean his attendance at the mosque?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The Sunnah for the imam is to remain in his home, worshipping with the voluntary prayer before Fajr or Zuhr, or doing whatever he wishes. Then, when the time for the iqamah arrives, he attends. This is how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do it. However, if he comes earlier, there is nothing wrong with it; that is, it is not said that this is a religious innovation. For example, the imam may see it in the public interest to come early in order to encourage people to come early, and this may be better. But if there is no stronger public interest, it is better for him to remain in his home until the time for the iqamah arrives, especially on Friday. Some of the brothers, who are imams and preachers, come early on Friday from the beginning of the time, saying: "Because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged coming early on Friday." It is said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged coming early on Friday, but he legislated for his Ummah that the imam should not come except when the time for prayer arrives. So the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) never came for Friday prayer except when the time for prayer arrived. Therefore, it is not recommended for the imam to come early on Friday; rather, he remains in his home until the time for prayer arrives, and he is rewarded for remaining in his home, just as the early-arriving ma'mums are rewarded.