Sayyiduna Sahl bin Sa'd (may Allah be pleased with him) was seen putting forward the young men of his people to lead the prayer. It was said to him: "You are a Companion of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and you have great virtue, yet you pray behind these young men?" He said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'The imam is a guarantor (of the prayer). If he completes it, the reward is for him and for them; and if he falls short, the burden is upon him and not upon those following him.' And I do not wish to take that responsibility upon myself." This hadith is sahih (authentic) on the condition of Imam Muslim, but the two Shaykhs did not record it with these words.