Islam provides flexibility in acts of worship when genuine difficulties arise. One such concession pertains to congregational prayer: under certain conditions, it becomes permissible—and even preferable—for a person to pray at home instead of the mosque.
❶ On a cold and windy night, ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنه made an announcement among the people saying:
"Be informed, pray in your dwellings."
He then explained that the Prophet ﷺ would instruct the mu'adhdhin during cold or rainy nights while traveling to call out:
"Be informed, pray in your dwellings."
❷ It is also narrated that the mu'adhdhin of the Prophet ﷺ used to make such an announcement in Madinah, particularly during rainy nights and chilly mornings.
➊ It is permissible to pray at home when one faces a valid excuse. Such excuses include rain, darkness, mud, storms, illness, and other hardships.
➋ In the case of a collective excuse, it is permissible for the mu'adhdhin to modify the call to prayer by saying:
"ألا صلوا في رحالكم"
("Pray in your homes") to inform people and relieve them of the obligation to attend the mosque.
➌ If only one or two individuals have an excuse, the call to prayer should not be modified nor should the congregation be abandoned for their sake.
➍ This concession applies in both travel and residence. Even during residence, if there's a strong enough excuse like extreme weather, the announcement may be made.
➎ Excuses are of two types:
This concession reflects Islam’s balance between devotion and practicality, ensuring the well-being of its followers while preserving communal worship.
❖ Narrations Supporting This Ruling
❶ On a cold and windy night, ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنه made an announcement among the people saying:
"Be informed, pray in your dwellings."
He then explained that the Prophet ﷺ would instruct the mu'adhdhin during cold or rainy nights while traveling to call out:
"Be informed, pray in your dwellings."
❷ It is also narrated that the mu'adhdhin of the Prophet ﷺ used to make such an announcement in Madinah, particularly during rainy nights and chilly mornings.
❖ Key Rulings and Benefits
➊ It is permissible to pray at home when one faces a valid excuse. Such excuses include rain, darkness, mud, storms, illness, and other hardships.
➋ In the case of a collective excuse, it is permissible for the mu'adhdhin to modify the call to prayer by saying:
"ألا صلوا في رحالكم"
("Pray in your homes") to inform people and relieve them of the obligation to attend the mosque.
➌ If only one or two individuals have an excuse, the call to prayer should not be modified nor should the congregation be abandoned for their sake.
➍ This concession applies in both travel and residence. Even during residence, if there's a strong enough excuse like extreme weather, the announcement may be made.
➎ Excuses are of two types:
- Temporary (e.g., menstruation): Worship is suspended and resumes after the excuse ends.
- Permanent (e.g., blindness): The person is generally expected to attend the mosque upon hearing the adhan, unless other difficulties apply. In the case of women experiencing istiḥāḍah (non-menstrual bleeding), prayer continues with fresh ablution for each prayer.
This concession reflects Islam’s balance between devotion and practicality, ensuring the well-being of its followers while preserving communal worship.
