If the imam does not come, should everyone pray separately?

Question

About fifty of us Muslims are present in the blessed mosque for each prescribed prayer. If, unfortunately, the imam is not present, we all pray individually, although there are educated people in this gathering. But the Muslims here level accusations, true and false, against one another and do not consider these educated Muslims fit for the imamate. Is this way of the Muslims permissible, and may we pray behind them?

Answer

When the imam has some need because of which he cannot come to the mosque at the time of the congregation, he should instruct some suitable person to lead the prayer. Everyone praying without congregation is a great shortcoming. If the imam does not designate anyone, the worshippers themselves should make the most qualified among them imam and pray in congregation.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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