[Q 189] What should the Imam do if the Muqtadis do not arrive?

Question

At the time of Jama’at where the imam is present and no Muqtadi has arrived,

Should the imam start at the allocated time? If so, does the imam still say the Takbir out loud ( for the intention that someone may turn up and join) or does he pray silently

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

In the above mentioned scenario it’s better that the Imam waits for some time especially if he thinks there’s a chance of other people coming. But if he doesn’t wait he will not be sinful.

He should do the Iqamah as usual and say the takbeerat loudly during the namaz. Or he could just say the takbeerat silently until someone comes and joins him, then he could start doing them loudly to allow the coming person to join-in the jamaat.

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)

Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari

Translated by: Ikram Madani