Waiting for Worshippers After the Appointed Time

Question

In the mosque the times of the adhan and the congregation have been fixed, and an interval of half an hour has been set between the adhan and the congregation so that people can come and take part with ease. Despite this, some gentlemen arrive late and are still performing wudu’ when the congregation is being established. In this situation, is it fard for the imam to wait for these people?

Answer

If most of the worshippers have come at the appointed time and only one or two people have not come, then waiting is not fard for the imam; rather, it is makruh. But if they are wicked people and stirrers of fitna, there is no harm in waiting in order to ward off fitna, provided there is also room in the time: [ar]رَئِيسُ الْمَحَلَّةِ لَا يُنْتَظَرُ مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ شِرِّيرًا…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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