Is It Permissible to Perform Obligatory Prayers at Home?

❖ Shar‘i Rulings on Performing Obligatory Prayers at Home ❖
✍ Fatwa by: Fadhilat al-Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh

◈ Question​

Is it permissible to perform obligatory (farḍ) prayers at home?
If a person wakes up late due to sleep and misses the congregational prayer in the masjid, is it permissible for him to offer the prayer at home, or is going to the masjid still necessary?

◈ Ruling on Performing Salah at Home​

✔ If someone is unable to join the congregation in the masjid, they may perform the farḍ prayer at home.
✔ They may pray alone or lead their family members in congregation.
✔ In such a case, the prayer is valid, in shā’ Allāh.

◈ Virtues of Praying in the Masjid​

❀ Walking to the masjid for prayer carries reward for every step taken.
❀ Congregational prayer in the masjid earns a greater reward than praying alone.
❀ Therefore, if possible, one should strive to perform salah in the masjid, as it is superior and more virtuous.

◈ Summary​

➤ Performing farḍ prayer at home is permissible when one misses the congregational prayer in the masjid due to a valid excuse, such as oversleeping.
➤ However, praying in the masjid with the congregation remains the preferred and more rewarding option whenever possible.