If the imam is delayed and the congregation of the mosque wants someone else to lead, should he step forward?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : May Allah reward you. Sometimes a person is in a mosque, and the imam is delayed a little. The congregation, who are common people, establish the prayer, and the person does not know whether the imam has given permission or not. Should he lead them?
The Shaykh : I mean, the congregation shouts at him, saying, “Pray, pray.”
The questioner : Yes, but this is a common person.
The Shaykh : He asks them, saying, “Did the imam tell you this: if I am delayed, pray?” If they say no, he says, “I will not pray.” And if his place is nearby, one of the congregation goes and asks for his permission.
The questioner : ... I mean, he prays with them and does not leave.
The Shaykh : If they insist that he pray, he should go to another mosque. Yes.
The Shaykh : I mean, the congregation shouts at him, saying, “Pray, pray.”
The questioner : Yes, but this is a common person.
The Shaykh : He asks them, saying, “Did the imam tell you this: if I am delayed, pray?” If they say no, he says, “I will not pray.” And if his place is nearby, one of the congregation goes and asks for his permission.
The questioner : ... I mean, he prays with them and does not leave.
The Shaykh : If they insist that he pray, he should go to another mosque. Yes.