If the Imam Is Preoccupied After the Iqamah, What Should Be Done?

Hazrat Ma'qil bin Abi Bakr narrates that after the iqamah for prayer was pronounced, people would wait for Hazrat Umar.

Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that once the congregation had stood up, but the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, remained standing in a corner of the mosque, whispering to a man for so long that people began to fall asleep.

Hazrat Abu Uthman says that Hazrat Umar, even after the Iqamah, would sometimes stand with a person and discuss some important matter.

Hazrat Abu Majliz says that once the iqamah had been pronounced and the rows had been formed, a man came and started talking to Hazrat Umar. The two of them talked for quite a while and then sat down on the ground, while the people were standing in rows.