Ruling on taking the lead over the regular imam

Question:
Is it permissible for a man to put himself forward to lead the people in an obligatory prayer over the established imam, knowing that he is more knowledgeable in jurisprudence than the established imam?

Answer:
No one has the right to take the lead over the regular imam, the imam of the mosque, who is the one in authority and has the strongest right to lead the prayer in the mosque. It is not permissible for him to take the lead over him, nor is it permissible for the people to put him forward over him. Rather, the imam of the mosque has the strongest right to that, unless the imam himself puts him forward. If the imam puts him forward and says, “Lead the people in prayer,” then there is no harm in taking the lead. If he leaves that and lets the imam continue praying, that may be better, if he thinks that the imam only said it out of shyness. The imam may say it out of shyness and not in earnest; it is not serious, but rather shyness. If the imam is qualified, then there is goodness and blessing in that. So the best thing for the one behind him is to let him lead and not respond to the call. However, if there is a benefit in responding, such as reminding the people, teaching the people, and the people following his example, then there is no harm in responding and leading the people in prayer.