❖ New Mosque, Congregational Prayer, and the Ruling on Separate Jumuʿah
Reference: Fatāwā Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mubārakpūrī, Vol. 1, p. 191
❀ Question
In our locality, the people of two neighborhoods (all Ahl al-Ḥadīth) used to perform the five daily prayers and Jumuʿah in one mosque.
One neighborhood had no mosque, and because of the distance, its residents became negligent in attending congregational prayers. By mutual agreement, it was decided to build a new mosque in that neighborhood so that its people could attend congregational prayer regularly.
This mosque was built ten years ago. Later, due to worldly disputes, people began establishing Jumuʿah in this new mosque as well (for the past year).
During Ramaḍān, a person from the new mosque invited both neighborhoods for a gathering. However, one scholar gave a fatwā that it is impermissible to accept this invitation and that prayer in the new mosque is also invalid, since they established a separate Jumuʿah.
Is this fatwā correct?
❀ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
- Praying in this new mosque is undoubtedly permissible.
This mosque does not fall under the ruling of Masjid Ḍirār.
In the time of the Prophet ﷺ, the hypocrites built Masjid Ḍirār at Qubāʾ with no intention of worship. Their belief did not regard a mosque as a means of closeness to Allah.
By contrast, in the case at hand, those who built the new mosque did so with the intention of attaining closeness to Allah and seeking His reward. Thus, comparing this mosque to Masjid Ḍirār is a false analogy (qiyās maʿ al-fāriq). Hence, declaring prayer in it as invalid is incorrect.
- However, it is not correct to establish a separate Jumuʿah merely due to worldly disputes or in matters where there is no legitimate Sharʿī basis for division. Doing so causes division among Muslims, which is blameworthy.
Therefore:
✔ Prayer in the new mosque is valid.
✔ Establishing a separate Jumuʿah without Sharʿī cause is not proper.
✔ Refusing the invitation of those who create such division is permissible and even correct.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
