Imamate of One Who Does Not Keep to the Time

Question

A mosque imam does not keep to the prayer times. He has been told about it once or twice, but he paid no heed. Is it valid to pray behind him or not?

Answer

The imam ought to keep to the appointed time and not cause inconvenience to the followers (muqtadis). When he leads the prayer within the permissible time, the prayer behind him is fulfilled.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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