In one of the neighborhood mosques, the imam was absent for the Friday prayer, so some of us went out to look for another Friday prayer, while others remained and then prayed the midday prayer. Is their action permissible?

The questioner : In one of the neighborhood mosques, the khatib was absent for the Friday prayer. Some of the worshippers started leaving the mosque to look for another mosque where they could pray the Friday prayer, while we and some of the other worshippers sat until the time for prayer came, and we prayed the midday prayer with four rak'ahs. What is the error and what is the correct action in this matter?

The Shaykh : The correct action is what those who left the mosque to seek another mosque did, provided there is another mosque in the town. As for those who stayed, it was obligatory for them to go to the imam's house and ask about him until he arrives to deliver the sermon, because he might be sleeping and have no one to wake him, or he might be distracted and forgetful and have no one to remind him. If that is not the case, then one of them should stand up and deliver two sermons for them, which suffices, and then they should pray the Friday prayer.
As for their praying the midday prayer while it was possible to establish the Friday prayer, that is forbidden for them and not permissible.