We have a Musalla in our Office. The imam (one of our collegue) starts the prayer exactly at the appointed Jamath timing, whether other people have come or not. As the others always come late, most of the times he starts the prayer alone & later people join him. Is this allowed or he has to delay the prayer for others to come & join?
Answer:
(Fatwa: 742/741=M/1430)
People should come on appointed time when the time of salah is fixed. Being habitual of delaying is not good. The imam should wait for one or two persons before starting salah; so that they can get the reward of performing salah with jama?ah.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband