If the regular imam is late for the congregation, and they appoint one of them to lead the prayer, and then the imam arrives, do they have to repeat the prayer or not?

The questioner : One of the imams came to the mosque.

The Shaykh : It was.

The questioner : He came to the mosque; he is the imam. He came to the mosque, but he was late for them. So they prayed on the day of his absence, praying sincerely for him? Do they pray with him, or not?

The Shaykh : Yes, this is an imam who was late for the congregation, so one of the congregation stepped forward and led them in prayer, and then the imam arrived. Do they have to repeat the prayer?
Answer: They do not have to repeat the prayer, because they prayed a valid prayer. However, if they prayed before the time for the iqamah had arrived, then we might say that they are obligated to repeat it, because they transgressed the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), where he said: But as long as the time has passed and he was late for them, then their prayer is valid. However, in the future, if the imam is late, what should be done is to go to his house and say: "Come, as the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to do when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was late; they would come to his house and say: 'The prayer, O Messenger of Allah,' and then he would go out and pray." As for them praying if he is late by five or ten minutes, that leads to disorder, and the regular imam has a right to his leadership in this mosque. Yes.