✦ Extracted from: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, pp. 237–238
Formatted for clarity and better understanding.
Prophetic instruction:
"رصوا صفوفكم وقاربوا بينها"
“Straighten your rows and keep them close together.”
(Authentic ḥadīth)
If men pray in their homes or fields relying solely on the loudspeaker, there would be an excessive gap between the imam and the followers, which invalidates the prayer. Women, however, may perform prayer at home, as it is not obligatory for them to attend the mosque, and praying at home is superior for them.
Prophetic guidance:
"تقدموا وائتموا بي، وليأتم بكم من بعدكم"
Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Move forward and follow me, and those behind you should follow your lead.”
This shows that the congregation must be close and continuous without disjointed spaces.
◄ It is not valid for men to pray at home or in fields relying solely on the loudspeaker.
◄ Men are obligated to attend the mosque, and there must be no significant distance between the imam and the congregation.
◄ Women should pray at home, and it is preferable for them.
◄ "تقدموا وائتموا بي، وليأتم بكم من بعدكم" (ḥadīth)
◄ Tanzeem Ahl-e-Ḥadīth, Vol. 22, Issue No. 36
Formatted for clarity and better understanding.
❖ Question 1:
Is it permissible to offer obligatory prayer by listening to the imam’s voice through a loudspeaker?❖ Answer
Yes, it is permissible to offer obligatory prayer while hearing the imam’s voice through a loudspeaker. The loudspeaker is merely a means to amplify the imam’s voice, making it audible to those at a distance. Its use does not invalidate the prayer, nor is there any prohibition against it.❖ Question 2:
If the mosque is located in the village center and a loudspeaker is used, can men and women perform prayer in their homes following the imam’s voice from the loudspeaker?❖ Answer
It is not permissible for men or women to pray in their homes following the imam’s voice from a loudspeaker. There should not be a significant distance between the imam and the followers, as the Prophet ﷺ instructed that the rows of prayer be close and aligned.Prophetic instruction:
"رصوا صفوفكم وقاربوا بينها"
“Straighten your rows and keep them close together.”
(Authentic ḥadīth)
If men pray in their homes or fields relying solely on the loudspeaker, there would be an excessive gap between the imam and the followers, which invalidates the prayer. Women, however, may perform prayer at home, as it is not obligatory for them to attend the mosque, and praying at home is superior for them.
❖ Question 3:
Can farmers pray in their fields by following the loudspeaker's voice?❖ Answer
No, farmers may not offer congregational prayer in their fields using the loudspeaker’s voice. The distance between the imam and the followers must not be excessive, and praying in the fields would create a large separation, which is not permissible in Islamic law.Prophetic guidance:
"تقدموا وائتموا بي، وليأتم بكم من بعدكم"
Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Move forward and follow me, and those behind you should follow your lead.”
This shows that the congregation must be close and continuous without disjointed spaces.
❖ Summary
◄ Prayer can be performed while listening to the imam via loudspeaker, provided the physical connection of rows is maintained.◄ It is not valid for men to pray at home or in fields relying solely on the loudspeaker.
◄ Men are obligated to attend the mosque, and there must be no significant distance between the imam and the congregation.
◄ Women should pray at home, and it is preferable for them.
❖ References
◄ "رصوا صفوفكم وقاربوا بينها" (ḥadīth)◄ "تقدموا وائتموا بي، وليأتم بكم من بعدكم" (ḥadīth)
◄ Tanzeem Ahl-e-Ḥadīth, Vol. 22, Issue No. 36
