The ruling on leading people in prayer without the permission of the regular imam
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The last question in the letter from our brother (M. Q. L) from Jizan says: There is a mosque with an imam, and there is a man who sometimes prays and leads the people without the permission of the regular imam. Is his prayer valid?
Answer: If the imam is likely to be late for the usual time, and some of the ma'mum (congregation) come forward and pray with the people, there is no harm; his prayer is valid and their prayers are valid. This is because when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was delayed, 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf prayed, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not disapprove of it; rather, he approved of it and prayed with him for the remainder of the prayer. It is established from him (peace and blessings be upon him):.
This indicates that if the imam is delayed, the congregation should not let the prayer lapse; they may appoint whom they wish from among the people of good to lead them in prayer, so that the people do not miss the prayer. This is the truth. However, if some people rush and call the iqamah (second call) before the time of prayer has arrived, this is an error and is not permissible. No one has the right to take precedence over the regular imam before the usual time arrives. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah bless you and reward you with good.
Answer: If the imam is likely to be late for the usual time, and some of the ma'mum (congregation) come forward and pray with the people, there is no harm; his prayer is valid and their prayers are valid. This is because when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was delayed, 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf prayed, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not disapprove of it; rather, he approved of it and prayed with him for the remainder of the prayer. It is established from him (peace and blessings be upon him):
It was during the expedition to Tabuk, in the Fajr prayer, that he was delayed in relieving himself. When the time for prayer arrived and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was delayed, the iqamah was called, and 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf al-Zuhri, one of the ten promised Paradise, led the people in prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived while 'Abd al-Rahman had prayed one rak'ah. He intended to step back, but the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gestured to him to complete the prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then prayed with him the remaining rak'ah. When 'Abd al-Rahman finished the prayer, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stood up with al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah, and they made up what was due on them.
أنه كان في غزوة تبوك في صلاة الفجر تخلف لقضاء حاجته، فلما حضر وقت الصلاة وتأخر النبي ﷺ أقيمت الصلاة، وصلى بالناس عبد الرحمن بن عوف الزهري أحد العشرة المشهود لهم بالجنة، فجاء النبي ﷺ وقد صلى عبد الرحمن ركعة، فأراد أن يتأخر فأشار له النبي ﷺفكمل الصلاة وصلى معه النبي ﷺ الركعة التي بقيت، فلما سلم عبد الرحمن قام النبي ﷺ ومعه المغيرة بن شعبة فقضيا ما عليهماThis indicates that if the imam is delayed, the congregation should not let the prayer lapse; they may appoint whom they wish from among the people of good to lead them in prayer, so that the people do not miss the prayer. This is the truth. However, if some people rush and call the iqamah (second call) before the time of prayer has arrived, this is an error and is not permissible. No one has the right to take precedence over the regular imam before the usual time arrives. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah bless you and reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.