If the adhan is called before sunset

Question

By the imam’s watch two minutes remained until the maghrib adhan, but the respected Qari had the adhan called, although the imam had forbidden it; he did not listen. When the mu’adhdhin reached “hayya ‘ala l-falah”, the siren sounded, whereupon the imam said: “Wait two minutes.” Before this, too, the respected Qari had led the prayer without the imam’s permission, and earlier he removed the imam. Is it permissible to pray behind this Qari or not?

Answer

The maghrib adhan before sunset is not permissible; if the adhan was called before the time, repeating that adhan is necessary (lazim). And the maghrib prayer before sunset is not permissible: a prayer performed in this way has not been discharged. Removing [someone] from the imamate by opposing him out of obstinacy is a highly improper and wrong act.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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