What are the rights of the Imam over the worshippers? Should the Imam wait for someone who is late for the Iqamah, or should he delegate someone else to lead the people in prayer? How long should he wait? And what is the ruling on congregational prayer if it is established without waiting for the Imam?

The resident Imam has the primary right to lead the prayer, and no one should step forward ahead of him except with his permission, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "No man should be led in prayer in his own home or where he has authority..." So, if the Imam is late, one should wait for him. No one else should lead unless it is highly probable that he is absent, in which case the one most entitled to lead the prayer should step forward, as mentioned in the hadith: "The people should be led by the one among them who is most knowledgeable of Allah's Book..." Stepping forward to lead without the Imam's permission is an encroachment upon his right and a cause for disorder. Their prayers are valid in any case.