Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … The issue established from these ahadith is clear: the imam may pray behind any individual from among his congregation, and a virtuous person may follow one less virtuous in prayer. In the chapter “What should be done if the appointed imam of the locality is not present” (باب ما يفعل إذا لم يحضر إمام الحي), we have already clarified in light of the aforementioned hadith that if the appointed imam does not arrive on time and there are no apparent signs of his imminent arrival, then another person may lead the prayer. Generally, the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) would wait for the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) when the time for prayer arrived, but on this occasion, the reason for not waiting seems to be that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had separated himself to relieve himself, and his return was delayed. Due to the delicacy of the situation during travel, the Companions did not deem it appropriate to wait any longer, and Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman ibn Awf (radi Allahu anhu) led the prayer. When the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) returned, he approved of this action, and in such a situation, if someone from the congregation leads the prayer, there is no harm in it.