Chapter on the Rulings of Congregational Prayer (the Minimum Number for Congregational Prayer, the Description of the Imam, Who Is to Be Followed and Who Is Not to Be Followed, Recitation Behind Both of Them, the Rulings of Those Led in Prayer, and Other Such Rulings Related to It)

Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām|Volume 3|Book 1|Chapter 3

Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām

Volume 3, Book 1, Chapter 3

Chapter on the Rulings of Congregational Prayer (the Minimum Number for Congregational Prayer, the Description of the Imam, Who Is to Be Followed and Who Is Not to Be Followed, Recitation Behind Both of Them, the Rulings of Those Led in Prayer, and Other Such Rulings Related to It)

Commentary #31

فهذا الخبر وان كان ظاهره النهي فمصروف عنه إلى جهة الافضل حسبما قدمناه لما تقدم من الاخبار ومتى مات الامام قبل الفراغ من صلاته فليطرح وليقدم القوم من يصلي بهم بقية ما عليهم ويغتسل من مسه روى ذلك

So this report, even though its apparent wording is one of prohibition, is to be interpreted as referring to what is preferable, as we have previously explained, based on the earlier narrations. And if the imam (of prayer) dies before completing the prayer, then he should be laid down, and the people should appoint someone to lead them in completing what remains upon them, and whoever touched him must perform ghusl (ritual washing). This was narrated: