The Ruling on the Imam Absenting Himself from Some Prayers to Seek Knowledge

Question:
I am the imam of a mosque affiliated with the Waqf in al-Hawiyyah, which is twenty kilometers from Ta'if. My question is: Is there a sin upon me for leaving the leading of the mosque for both the Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers? It is not a flight from the imamate, but rather a desire to attend Ta'if for the sake of knowledge?

Answer:
There is no blame on you for that, praise be to Allah, if it is easy for you to find someone who can take your place and fulfill the trust like you or better than you, who prays with them, then there is nothing wrong with that. This falls under the category of cooperating in righteousness and piety. If you find a person who helps you and prays with them in your place for Maghrib and 'Isha', and he is qualified for that, and you attend the other mosque to seek knowledge, then there is no blame on you; because you have not neglected a matter that harms the congregation.