Ruling on Ṣalāt al-Tasbīḥ in Congregation in Light of Qur’an and Hadith
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 253
Question:
A person insists on performing Ṣalāt al-Tasbīḥ in congregation, arguing that since it is a voluntary prayer like other nawāfil, its congregation should also be permissible—just as Tarāwīḥ in congregation is permissible. Kindly provide guidance with evidences from Qur’an and Hadith for clarification.
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
- The legitimacy of Ṣalāt al-Tasbīḥ is established through Prophetic Ahadith; its origin and performance are proven from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
- However, offering Ṣalāt al-Tasbīḥ in congregation is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ.
◈ In contrast, the congregational performance of Ṣalāt al-Layl (Tahajjud) and Qiyām Ramaḍān (Tarāwīḥ) is authentically proven from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
◈ Therefore, using these as a basis to justify the congregation of Ṣalāt al-Tasbīḥ is incorrect analogy (qiyās).
◈ This reasoning would be similar to someone arguing that the Sunnah prayers before or after Ẓuhr should also be prayed in congregation simply because Tarāwīḥ is prayed in congregation. But such Sunnahs are to be offered individually, as no evidence of their congregational performance exists from the Prophet ﷺ.
Conclusion:
- Praying Ṣalāt al-Tasbīḥ individually is Sunnah.
- Offering it in congregation has no basis in the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Thus, it cannot be considered a legislated (mashrūʿ) practice.
