Ruling on Performing Tahajjud and Tasbīḥ Prayer in Congregation – In Ramadan and Outside Ramadan
Source: Fatāwā Rāshidiyyah, p. 332
❖ Question
Can the Tahajjud prayer and the Salāt al-Tasbīḥ be performed in congregation during Ramadan or outside Ramadan?
❖ Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
◄ It is permissible to perform any voluntary prayer in congregation, whether it be Tahajjud, Salāt al-Tasbīḥ, or any other nafl prayer.
Evidences
✔ Congregational Nafl at the House of Anas رضي الله عنه:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ once led a congregational prayer in the house of Anas رضي الله عنه. Behind him stood Anas and a child, and behind them stood Umm Sulaym (the mother of Anas). The Prophet ﷺ led them in two rak‘āt of nafl prayer. This is authentically established in the books of ḥadīth.
✔ Ibn ‘Abbās Praying Tahajjud with the Prophet ﷺ:
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ibn ‘Abbās رضي الله عنهما narrated that he once stayed overnight at the house of his aunt, Umm al-Mu’minīn Maymūnah رضي الله عنها. When the Prophet ﷺ rose for Tahajjud, Ibn ‘Abbās joined him after performing wudū’, initially standing on his left. The Prophet ﷺ moved him to his right side, and Ibn ‘Abbās prayed the entire Tahajjud in his following.
Ruling on Salāt al-Tasbīḥ
Since Salāt al-Tasbīḥ is also a form of nafl prayer, it is permissible to perform it in congregation, both in Ramadan and outside Ramadan.
❖ Important Clarification
◈ No specific month, day, or place should be fixed or designated for performing these prayers, with the belief that such specification brings greater reward.
◈ Only those days and occasions should be designated which have been established by the Sharī‘ah.
◈ Observing the limits set by the Sharī‘ah is obligatory upon every Muslim, and transgressing them is not allowed.
ھذا ما عندی واللہ أعلم بالصواب
