Is it permissible to offer the

Q 5: What should an Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) do if he wishes to travel, or if he goes to another place that is not far away, or if he travels on a Friday morning and is not able to come back for the Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer until the following Friday? I mean, if an Imam travels to another place that is not very far away, leaving his Masjid (mosque) for a whole week, can he deputize someone to lead the people in the Jumu'ah Prayer? Some people tell him that it is not permissible for him to travel on Friday as he is the Imam of the Masjid, and the Imam who leads the people in the Jumu`ah Prayer, and so he should never travel on a Friday. Is this true? They say that if it is not a Friday, it is not a problem if the Imam does not come for the Salah (Prayer), although there is no one else (Part No. 8; Page No. 278) to carry out his duties in the Masjid. If the Imam has something urgent to do, whether it is a Friday or not, can he say to his deputy or the Mu'adhin (caller to Prayer), "O so-and-so! I have to go somewhere, so if the time for the Salah becomes due, do not wait for me," just to let them know that he will not be there? Please answer me citing proofs, may Allah grant you success.

A: If the reality is as you mentioned, there is no harm in deputizing someone to lead the people in the Jumu`ah Prayer and other Salah, provided that the deputy is capable. If he is not capable, this is not permissible; and the Imam should be advised to be diligent and always present in the Masjid, or his superiors should be informed.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.