Is it permissible for an imam of a mosque affiliated with the Egyptian Ministry of Endowments to give two lessons in his mosque and two other lessons in any other mosque, even if it is not affiliated with the Ministry, in order to avoid excessive preaching, with a detailed explanation of the ruling on delegation in leading prayers?

The employed Imam must abide by his work regulations unless they contain a religiously forbidden act. If the Ministry obliges him to deliver four lessons weekly, he must adhere to that. If he perceives aversion or hardship among the congregants, he should review the Awqaf (Endowments) to transfer some lessons to another mosque, because the goal is to achieve benefit and da'wah (preaching) interest, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) did to avoid boring people.

As for appointing a substitute to lead the prayer: It is not permissible for the resident Imam to appoint someone else to lead the people in prayer while he is present, because he himself is entrusted with that. However, if he is absent due to a valid excuse, there is no harm in that. Otherwise, it is not permissible for him to neglect his work or receive a salary for work he does not perform.