Is it permissible for someone other than the Khateeb (preacher) to lead the prayer on Friday, and what are the proofs of its permissibility from the Qur’an and Sunnah?

The majority of scholars are of the opinion that it is preferable for the one who delivers the sermon to also lead the prayer, but this is not obligatory. Thus, it is permissible to put forward one of the worshippers to lead the prayer if he has witnessed the sermon with the Imam. The Malikis, however, differed, holding that it is obligatory for the preacher and the Imam to be the same person, unless there is an excuse.