Question
Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you
The ruling for someone who falls behind the congregation
Answer with the help of Al-Wahhab, provided the question is valid
And peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you!
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
❀ A person who falls behind the congregation and prays alone has two conditions:
① First condition
✔ If a person is excused due to illness or fear, and it is not his habit to abandon the congregation without excuse, then such a person will receive the reward of praying in congregation: InshaAllah.
Because there is an authentic hadith:
“إِذَامَرِضَ الْعَبْدُ أَوْ سَافَرَ كُتِبَ لَهُ مِثْلُ مَا كَانَ يَعْمَلُ مُقِيمًا صَحِيحًا “
Translation
When a person is sick or traveling, all the deeds that he used to do in a state of health and residence will be recorded in his book of deeds.
✔ Similarly, if a person had a firm intention to perform the congregational prayer, but a valid Shariah excuse prevented him, he will receive the full reward and status that those who prayed in congregation received, because his intention was correct and good.
② Second Situation
✔ If a person misses the congregational prayer without a valid Shariah excuse, then when he prays alone, according to the majority, his prayer will be valid, but he will be deprived of great reward and merit.
◈ Because congregational prayer holds twenty-seven degrees of superiority over individual prayer.
◈ Also, the reward for taking each step towards the mosque will not be attained.
◈ Along with the loss of this great reward, he is also sinful because he has neglected an obligatory act without excuse.
◈ And he is deserving of disciplinary punishment from the authority (Wali al-Amr) until he returns to goodness and righteousness.
The True Place of Congregation: The Mosque
✔ The place for congregational prayer is the mosque; it is the place for expressing the Islamic slogan.
✔ The purpose of building mosques is also the same.
✔ If holding congregations regularly becomes common in any other place, it leads to the ruin of mosques.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿فى بُيوتٍ أَذِنَ اللَّهُ أَن تُرفَعَ وَيُذكَرَ فيهَا اسمُهُ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ فيها بِالغُدُوِّ وَالءاصالِ ﴿٣٦﴾رِجالٌ لا تُلهيهِم تِجـٰرَةٌ وَلا بَيعٌ عَن ذِكرِ اللَّهِ وَإِقامِ الصَّلوٰةِ وَإيتاءِ الزَّكوٰةِ يَخافونَ يَومًا تَتَقَلَّبُ فيهِ القُلوبُ وَالأَبصـٰرُ ﴿٣٧﴾﴾
Translation
In those houses whose manners and respect are observed and where Allah’s name is mentioned, they glorify Allah morning and evening. Such people who are not distracted by trade and commerce from the remembrance of Allah, from establishing prayer, and from giving zakat, they fear the Day when many hearts and many eyes will be overturned.
And Allah Almighty commands:
﴿إِنَّما يَعمُرُ مَسـٰجِدَ اللَّهِ مَن ءامَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَاليَومِ الءاخِرِ وَأَقامَ الصَّلوٰةَ وَءاتَى الزَّكوٰةَ وَلَم يَخشَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ فَعَسىٰ أُولـٰئِكَ أَن يَكونوا مِنَ المُهتَدينَ ﴿١٨﴾﴾
Translation
The prosperity and flourishing of Allah’s mosques is for those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish prayer, give zakat, fear none except Allah, and hope for His mercy. Indeed, these are the ones who are rightly guided.
✔ The importance of mosques and their inhabitants is clear in both these verses, with glad tidings of reward and recompense for those who populate them, and implicitly, a condemnation of those who do not attend prayer.
Prayer of the Neighbor of the Mosque
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
“لا صلاة لجار المسجد إلا في المسجد”
Translation
The prayer of the neighbor of the mosque is not valid except in the mosque.
A similar narration is also reported from Sayyidina Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, but with this addition:
“من سمع المنادي”
Translation
(The neighbor of the mosque is) the one who can hear the call to prayer (Adhan) of the Mu’adhdhin.
Explanation by Ibn Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him
Ibn Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
“Whoever carefully studies the Sunnah will come to know that attending the mosque for prayer is obligatory upon every man, except when there is a condition that permits leaving the congregation. Absence from the mosque without excuse is equivalent to abandoning the congregation without excuse. The hadith and reports unanimously agree on this point.”
Warning for Those Who Cause Mosques to Become Desolate
Whoever causes the mosques to become desolate and prevents the remembrance of Allah, Allah Almighty has warned him by saying:
﴿وَمَن أَظلَمُ مِمَّن مَنَعَ مَسـٰجِدَ اللَّهِ أَن يُذكَرَ فيهَا اسمُهُ وَسَعىٰ فى خَرابِها أُولـٰئِكَ ما كانَ لَهُم أَن يَدخُلوها إِلّا خائِفينَ لَهُم فِى الدُّنيا خِزىٌ وَلَهُم فِى الءاخِرَةِ عَذابٌ عَظيمٌ ﴿١١٤﴾﴾
Translation
Who is more unjust than the one who prevents the remembrance of Allah in Allah’s mosques and strives to ruin them? Such people should be feared and avoided. For them is disgrace in this world and severe punishment in the Hereafter.
If Congregation Outside the Mosque Becomes Necessary
✔ If organizing congregational prayer becomes common outside the mosque, mosques will become empty or the number of worshippers will decrease, and as a result, the importance of prayer in hearts will diminish.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿فى بُيوتٍ أَذِنَ اللَّهُ أَن تُرفَعَ وَيُذكَرَ فيهَا اسمُهُ …﴿٣٦﴾﴾
✔ The phrase “raising the remembrance” in the verse is required both literally and metaphorically.
However, if there is a special need for congregational prayer outside the mosque—for example, some worshippers are on duty at the office—then if they perform prayer at their place, it may be more appropriate considering their work. In such a case, those present there are obliged to pray in congregation. And this should not suspend the congregation of the nearby mosque, because people continue to pray there. Considering these circumstances, there may be no harm in praying at the office, etc.
Minimum number of people for congregation
✔ For congregational prayer, it is necessary to have at least two people, because “congregation” is derived from gathering, and the plural applies to at least two people.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash’ari, may Allah be pleased with him:
“الاثْنَانِ فَمَا فَوْقَهُمَا جَمَاعَةٌ”
Translation
A congregation is formed with more than two.
In another narration (once a congregation had already been formed, then a person came), the Prophet ﷺ said: “Who will give charity for him?” Then a man stood up and prayed with him, so the Prophet ﷺ said:
(هَذَانِ جَمَاعَة )
Translation
These two persons constitute a congregation.
And in another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said to Sayyiduna Malik bin Huwayrith, may Allah be pleased with him:
“ليؤمكما أكبركما”
Translation
Among you two, the elder should lead the prayer.
✔ In short, if there are two persons, the scholars have consensus on the validity of congregational prayer.
Women coming to the mosque
✔ It is permissible for women to attend congregational prayers in mosques with the permission of their husbands, provided that:
◈ They do not use perfume
◈ They do not display adornment
◈ They observe complete modesty
◈ They avoid mingling with men
◈ And they stay behind the rows of men, as women used to do during the Prophetic era.
✔ It is also Sunnah for women to participate in preaching, advising, and gatherings of knowledge, provided they are separate from men.
Congregation of Women
✔ Women can pray congregational prayers separately from men, whether the Imam is a man or a woman, because the Prophet ﷺ appointed a muezzin for Hazrat Umm Waraqah (may Allah be pleased with her) and instructed her to lead the women of the neighborhood in prayer.
✔ This practice is also reported from other female companions.
Virtue of Congregational Prayer
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“صَلاةُ الْجَمَاعَةِ تَفْضُلُ عَلَى صَلاةِ الْفَرْدِ بِسَبْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ دَرَجَةً”
Translation
Congregational prayer holds twenty-seven times more reward than praying alone.
In which mosque is prayer more virtuous?
✔ It is preferable for a Muslim to pray in the mosque where congregational prayer cannot be established without his attendance, so that he also earns the reward of helping to keep the mosque active.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿إِنَّما يَعمُرُ مَسـٰجِدَ اللَّهِ مَن ءامَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَاليَومِ الءاخِرِ…﴿١٨﴾﴾
Translation
The prosperity and flourishing of Allah’s mosques is for those who believe in Allah and the Last Day.
✔ After that, it is preferable to pray in the mosque where the number of worshippers is greater, because this leads to great reward.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“صَلاةُ الرَّجُلِ مَعَ الرَّجُلِ أَزْكَى مِنْ صَلاتِهِ وَحْدَهُ وَصَلاتُهُ مَعَ الرَّجُلَيْنِ أَزْكَى مِنْ صَلاتِهِ مَعَ الرَّجُلِ وَمَا كَثُرَ فَهُوَ أَحَبُّ إلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَى “
Translation
A man’s prayer with another person together has more reward than praying alone, and praying with two people has more reward than praying with one person, and the greater the number in the congregation, the more beloved and rewarding the prayer is with Allah Almighty.
✔ The probable reason is that mercy and tranquility descend in congregation, general prayers are made, and the hope of acceptance increases, especially when there are knowledgeable and pious people in the congregation.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿فيهِ رِجالٌ يُحِبّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّروا وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ المُطَّهِّرينَ ﴿١٠٨﴾﴾
Translation
Among them are those who love to purify themselves, and Allah loves those who purify themselves.
✔ From this verse, the recommendation of performing prayer in congregation with the righteous who maintain cleanliness and perfect ablution is evident.
Old Mosque, Distant Mosque, and the Reward of Walking
✔ Praying in an old mosque is better than in a new mosque because the old mosque has precedence in worship and obedience.
✔ Furthermore, it is said that praying in a distant mosque is preferable to praying in a nearby mosque because the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“إِنَّ أَعْظَمَ النَّاسِ أَجْرًا فِي الصَّلَاةِ أَبْعَدُهُمْ إِلَيْهَا مَمْشًى، فَأَبْعَدُهُمْ”
Translation
The reward of prayer is greater for those who come from a greater distance for prayer.
And he said:
“وَذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ إِذَا تَوَضَّأَ فَأَحْسَنَ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ لَا يُخْرِجُهُ إِلَّا الصَّلَاةُ لَمْ يَخْطُ خَطْوَةً إِلَّا رُفِعَتْ لَهُ بِهَا دَرَجَةٌ وَحُطَّ عَنْهُ بِهَا خَطِيئَةٌ وفي رواية: “حتى يدخل المسجد””
Translation
When any one of you performs ablution properly and comes to the mosque solely for prayer, he does not take a single step without being elevated one degree and having one sin erased. In one narration, it is stated: until he enters the mosque.
And He said:
“يَا بَنِي سَلِمَةَ دِيَارَكُمْ تُكْتَبْ آثَارُكُمْ”
Translation
O Banu Salamah! Remain in your (current) homes; your (foot) prints are being recorded.
Preference for the Nearest Mosque
❀ According to some scholars, it is better to pray in the nearer of two mosques, because proximity gives it more right. In one narration, it is stated:
“لا صلاة لجار المسجد إلا في المسجد”
✔ Also, neighbors will be surprised if one leaves the nearby mosque to attend a distant mosque. This opinion probably holds more weight because going to a distant mosque necessitates neglecting the nearby mosque, which can lead to suspicion about the imam of the nearby mosque.
Second Imam in the Presence of the Appointed Imam
✔ It is not permissible for another person to lead the prayer in the presence of the appointed imam of the mosque, unless the appointed imam permits it or is unable to lead.
It is narrated in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“وَلا يَؤُمَّنَّ الرَّجُلُ الرَّجُلَ فِي سُلْطَانِهِ , وَلا يَقْعُدْ فِي بَيْتِهِ عَلَى تَكْرِمَتِهِ إِلا بِإِذْنِهِ “
Translation
No person should lead the congregation within the jurisdiction and authority of another without his permission.
Imam Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) explains its meaning as follows:
“The owner of the house is the master of the gathering, and the appointed imam of the mosque has more right to his place than anyone else.”
✔ Moreover, this audacity disturbs the appointed imam, causes hatred, and can be a source of division among Muslims.
❀ According to some scholars, if someone leads the prayer without the permission of the appointed Imam or without a legitimate Islamic excuse, the prayer of the people will not be valid, because this act is dangerous and can lead to bad consequences. Therefore, no negligence should be made in this matter.
Rights of the Imam and the Followers
✔ The congregation should take care of the rights of their Imam and should not interfere in his work.
✔ The Imam should also not hurt the self-respect of the followers or cause them hardship and difficulty.
✔ Everyone should take care of each other so that unity, love, and harmony are established between the Imam and the followers.
If the Imam Arrives Late
If the Imam is delayed and there is little time left, the people should appoint anyone as Imam and perform the congregational prayer:
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) led the prayer when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) went to make peace at Bani Amr bin Auf and was delayed.
◈ And once during a journey, the Prophet ﷺ went far away to relieve himself. When he returned, Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman bin Awf رضي الله تعالى عنه was leading the prayer. The Prophet ﷺ performed the last unit behind him and completed the rest of the prayer after his salam, then said:
“أَحْسَنتُمْ”
Translation
What you did was good.
If you finish the prayer and then join the congregation
✔ If someone has performed the prayer, then comes to the mosque and the same prayer is being held in congregation, it is Sunnah for him to join the congregation again and pray.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Dharr رضي الله تعالى عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“صل الصلاة لوقتها فإن أدركتك الصلاة معهم فصل ولا تقل إني قد صليت فلا أصلي”
Translation
Perform the prayer on time, then if you find the same prayer in congregation in the mosque, pray it again, and do not say that I have already prayed, so I will not pray again.
✔ It should be clear that the second (subsequent) prayer will become a Nafl prayer, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed two men that if you have prayed at home and then join the congregation in the mosque, you should pray with them, and the subsequent prayer will be Nafl for you.
✔ Also, when people are praying in congregation and someone sits separately, it may cause suspicion in people’s hearts that perhaps this person is not a praying person.
When the Iqamah begins, the command to start Nafl is given
✔ When the Mu’adhdhin begins the Iqamah for the obligatory prayer, it is not permissible for anyone to start another prayer separately, whether it is Nafl, Tahiyyatul Masjid, or any other prayer, because the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“إذا أقيمت الصلاة فلا صلاة إلا المكتوبة”
Translation
When the Iqamah for prayer is called, there is no prayer except the obligatory prayer.
In one narration:
“فلا صلاة إلا التي أقيمت”
Translation
Then there is no prayer except the prayer for which the iqamah has been called.
✔ Therefore, after hearing the iqamah, no other prayer should be started. Rather, if someone is engaged in a prayer, they should leave it and join the prayer for which the iqamah has been called.
The Wisdom of Imam Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him)
Imam Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) writes:
“The wisdom behind leaving the voluntary prayer after the iqamah and joining the imam is that a person becomes free for the obligatory prayer from the beginning and joins the imam. Protecting the obligatory prayer is better than being engaged in voluntary prayer, because the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) forbade differing with the imam. Another wisdom is that the Takbir al-Ihram is attained, and joining the imam in Takbir al-Ihram grants the specific reward of Takbir al-Ihram.”
What should one do if engaged in voluntary prayer after the iqamah?
If the iqamah is pronounced and a person is engaged in a voluntary prayer, he should complete it by shortening it instead of breaking it. However, if there is a fear that the congregation will leave, then he should break the voluntary prayer.
ھذا ما عندی والله اعلم بالصواب
