Is an imam of a mosque in a non-Muslim country entitled to exclusively determine the time of prayer, and is he considered a guardian of the Muslims whose obedience is obligatory, especially given the presence of a committee managing the mosque? What is advised for dealing with an imam who believes he is a guardian whose obedience is obligatory, even if he does not possess this right?

The imamate of Muslims in prayer is not like the grand imamate; rather, it is a specific guardianship in a specific matter, and the mosque imam does not have the rights of a ruler. The imam must fear Allah, be humble towards Muslims, consider the condition of the people when determining prayer times, and avoid individual decisions. The mosque committee must consider the welfare of the worshippers and set an appropriate prayer time to avoid disagreement. Worshippers should advise the imam gently, strive to unify their word, and put the imam forward and venerate him if he is the most knowledgeable of the Quran.