Who changes the prayer times: the mutawalli or the imam

Question

Question: The respected mutawalli (the trustee of the mosque’s waqf) does not properly know the prayer times, and on top of that he says that the regular imam of the mosque cannot change the prayer times without my permission. Is what the mutawalli says correct?

Answer

Instead of drawing the matter out and spoiling it, it is better if it is done this way: when the imam, observing the times, changes a time, he should inform the respected mutawalli: “Please change such-and-such a time in this way and announce it,” so that the mutawalli too remains pleased, no obstruction arises in the work, and the prayer is performed at the correct times.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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