✦ Extracted from: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1
Organized for clarity and understanding.
❖ Question
Our local religious teacher says that if a person regularly prays all five prayers in congregation, and he happens to miss the congregational prayer due to some necessity, only then is he allowed to hold a second congregation. Otherwise, holding a second congregation is generally not permissible. Is this view correct? Also, should the iqāmah be called for the second congregation?
❖ Answer
The opinion held by the teacher—that a second congregation is only for those who habitually pray in congregation—is incorrect.
Allah Almighty has given a general command for praying in congregation which applies to all Muslims, whether they regularly pray in congregation or not.
❖ Qur’anic Evidence
Allah says:
“وَارْكَعُوا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ“
(Al-Baqarah: 2/43)
“And bow with those who bow [in prayer].”
This verse includes all believers, and the command to pray in congregation is not restricted to a specific group.
Therefore, if someone misses the first congregation for any reason, they are allowed to hold a second congregation, regardless of how regularly they attend the congregational prayers.
❖ Regarding the Iqamah
The iqāmah should also be called for the second congregation. It is a Sunnah of the prayer and should not be omitted.
❖ Summary
◄ Holding a second congregation is permissible for all, whether or not they are regular attendees of the first congregation.
◄ The iqāmah should be called for the second congregation as it is a Sunnah.
❖ Reference
◄ The Noble Qur’an, Sūrah al-Baqarah: 2/43
