What is the wisdom behind the Imam turning his face towards the congregants after the prayer, and is this turning considered a permission for them to depart?
It is for the Imam, after concluding his prayer with the salutations (), to turn towards the worshippers, sometimes to his right and sometimes to his left. There is no harm in him facing them entirely. This should be done after he seeks forgiveness three times, and then says: "O Allah, You are As-Salam (the Source of Peace), and from You is all peace. Blessed are You, O Possessor of Majesty and Honor."
The scholars have mentioned wisdoms behind this: - To teach the worshippers what they need. - To inform those entering that the prayer has concluded. - To remove pride and arrogance from the Imam towards the congregants after the imamate has ended. - He used to turn away from the qiblah and incline to the right or left. If there was a need to address the people, he would sit facing them.
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