Fatwa by: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh Ibn Bāz (رحمه الله)
Question:
My mother lives near the mosque. A small alleyway separates the mosque and our home. She can hear the adhān and the prayer from the mosque, and she prays at home following the Imam. Is this permissible? If not, what should she do about the prayers she has been offering this way for many years? Please advise. جزاکم اللہ خیرا
Answer:
In this situation, it is not permissible for the woman to pray in her home while following the Imam of the mosque, unless she is able to see the Imam or some of the followers (muqtadīs). In such a case, following the Imam would be valid.
However, if she cannot see the Imam or any of the muqtadīs, then according to the strongest and most cautious opinion, her prayer is not valid in this way.
As for the past prayers that she offered in this manner, there is no need for her to repeat them because there is no clear evidence of their invalidity. This matter is based on scholarly ijtihād, and the strongest and most cautious opinion is the one we have mentioned here.
And Allah knows best.
Question:
My mother lives near the mosque. A small alleyway separates the mosque and our home. She can hear the adhān and the prayer from the mosque, and she prays at home following the Imam. Is this permissible? If not, what should she do about the prayers she has been offering this way for many years? Please advise. جزاکم اللہ خیرا
Answer:
In this situation, it is not permissible for the woman to pray in her home while following the Imam of the mosque, unless she is able to see the Imam or some of the followers (muqtadīs). In such a case, following the Imam would be valid.
However, if she cannot see the Imam or any of the muqtadīs, then according to the strongest and most cautious opinion, her prayer is not valid in this way.
As for the past prayers that she offered in this manner, there is no need for her to repeat them because there is no clear evidence of their invalidity. This matter is based on scholarly ijtihād, and the strongest and most cautious opinion is the one we have mentioned here.
And Allah knows best.
