Waiting for the Imam at Maghrib

Question

At the time of the Maghrib prayer, should the congregational prayer be performed as soon as the adhan is given, without waiting long enough for the appointed imam to perform wudu’, and, without his having made wudu’, should another person be made to stand [and lead] the prayer?

Answer

The time of the Maghrib prayer begins right after the sun sets, and delaying it without reason by as much as two rak‘as could be prayed is makruh; delaying it by less than that is not makruh. So if the imam is performing wudu’, there is no harm in waiting for him; rather, it is fitting that he be waited for: [ar]قَالَ فِي النَّهْرِ: وَفِي الْأَذَانِ مِنَ الْفَتْحِ: قَوْلُهُمْ…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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