Answer by: Fadhīlat al-Shaykh ʿAbd al-Wakīl Nāṣir (ḥafiẓahullāh)
In our village, there is only one mosque, and it is located at one end. However, even the nearby residents do not attend the Fajr prayer there. Can we designate a specific place in our homes to perform the Fajr prayer? We also have an empty house—can it be used as a prayer area (muṣallā)?
Sayyidunā Jābir ibn ʿAbdullāh (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
“When the surrounding areas of the Prophet’s Mosque became vacant, the people of Banū Salamah intended to move closer to the mosque. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to know of this and said: 'I have heard that you intend to move closer to the mosque?' They replied: ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah, that is indeed our intention.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘O Banū Salamah! Stay in your homes; your footsteps are being recorded. Stay in your homes; your footsteps are being recorded.’”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 665]
This ḥadīth makes it clear that walking to the mosque is a deed for which reward is written. Even though Banū Salamah wished to relocate nearer to the mosque, the Prophet (ﷺ) advised them to remain in their homes due to the virtue of their footsteps being counted in reward.
➊ Modern-day facilities have made commuting easier, so even distant mosques are generally accessible.
➋ If the distance is long, going in small groups may help encourage one another and make the journey easier.
➌ Understand the virtue of populating the mosque. Your attendance can be a motivation for others around you.
➊ If the mosque is extremely far and it becomes genuinely difficult for worshippers to reach it, then designating a prayer space at home is permissible in special circumstances—but it should not become a permanent habit.
➋ One should make an effort to attend the mosque, so that your presence can serve as encouragement for others.
➊ Establishing and attending the mosque remains more virtuous and recommended.
➋ Make it a habit to walk from a distance, hoping for the reward of every step.
➌ In exceptional cases, a designated prayer space at home may be used, but one should not make it a regular practice.
❖ Question:
In our village, there is only one mosque, and it is located at one end. However, even the nearby residents do not attend the Fajr prayer there. Can we designate a specific place in our homes to perform the Fajr prayer? We also have an empty house—can it be used as a prayer area (muṣallā)?
❖ Guidance from the Prophet (ﷺ):
Sayyidunā Jābir ibn ʿAbdullāh (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
“When the surrounding areas of the Prophet’s Mosque became vacant, the people of Banū Salamah intended to move closer to the mosque. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to know of this and said: 'I have heard that you intend to move closer to the mosque?' They replied: ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah, that is indeed our intention.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘O Banū Salamah! Stay in your homes; your footsteps are being recorded. Stay in your homes; your footsteps are being recorded.’”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 665]
This ḥadīth makes it clear that walking to the mosque is a deed for which reward is written. Even though Banū Salamah wished to relocate nearer to the mosque, the Prophet (ﷺ) advised them to remain in their homes due to the virtue of their footsteps being counted in reward.
❖ Practical Guidance for the Present Time:
➊ Modern-day facilities have made commuting easier, so even distant mosques are generally accessible.
➋ If the distance is long, going in small groups may help encourage one another and make the journey easier.
➌ Understand the virtue of populating the mosque. Your attendance can be a motivation for others around you.
❖ Exceptional Situations:
➊ If the mosque is extremely far and it becomes genuinely difficult for worshippers to reach it, then designating a prayer space at home is permissible in special circumstances—but it should not become a permanent habit.
➋ One should make an effort to attend the mosque, so that your presence can serve as encouragement for others.
❖ Summary:
➊ Establishing and attending the mosque remains more virtuous and recommended.
➋ Make it a habit to walk from a distance, hoping for the reward of every step.
➌ In exceptional cases, a designated prayer space at home may be used, but one should not make it a regular practice.
