Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Abu Hazim says that Sayyiduna Sahl bin Sa’d Sa’idi (may Allah be pleased with him) used to appoint the young men of his people to lead the prayer. He was asked: Why do you do this when you yourself hold a high status and rank? He replied: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: “The imam is responsible; if he leads the prayer well, he will have the reward and so will the people praying behind him. But if he does not lead the prayer properly, its burden will be upon him, while the people praying will still receive the reward.”