Prayer: What intention should an Imam make when leading congregational prayer?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Prayer: What intention should an Imam make when leading congregational prayer?

English:

Question #549:

What should a congregational prayer imam say in his intention? Should he perform it with the intention of a congregational or individual prayer?

Answer #549:

If he wants to acquire the benefits and reward of a congregational prayer, then he should have the intention to lead the prayers. However, if he enters the prayers without the intention of leading, then his prayer is correct and there is no problem for others to read their prayers behind him.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Prayer