Islamic Verdicts - Volume II

The Book of Prayer - Congregational Prayers

Prayer in Congregation is Obligatory

Q: Some people - may Allah guide us and them - do not attend the congregational prayers, without any lawful reason and some of them excuse themselves due to their worldly affairs, and when advice is proffered to them, they continue in their obstinacy; in fact, they always reply: "Prayer is for Allah and it is not for anyone to interfere in it." What do you say to this?

A: Mutual advice between the Muslims and censuring evil is one of the most important obligations, as Allah, the Most Glorified says: “The believers, men and women are Awliya' (helpers, supporters and friends) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds and all that Islam has forbidden)” (At-Tawbah 9: 71).

And the Prophet (salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) said: “If any of you saw something detestable, he should change it with his hand; and if he is unable to do this, then by his words; and if he is unable to do this, then in his heart - and this is the weakest kind of faith” (Muslim no. 49).

And he (salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) said: “Religion is giving advice.” It was said: "To whom, O Messenger of Allah?" He replied: “For Allah, for His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims and the Muslims in general” (Muslim no. 55).

Both of these were narrated by Muslim in his Sahih.

There is no doubt that abandoning the congregational prayer without an excuse is a form of Munkar, which should be censured. The five prayers must be performed in the mosque by men, according to numerous evidences, such as the words of the Prophet (salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam): “Whoever heard the call (to prayer) and did not answer it, there is no prayer for him, unless he has an excuse (i.e. due to illness or travel)” (Ibn Majah no. 293, Ad-Daraqutni 1: 420 and Al-Hakim 1: 245).

It has been authentically reported from the Prophet (salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) that a blind man said to him: "O Messenger of Allah! I have no guide to lead me to the mosque; is there any license for me to pray in my house?"

The Messenger of Allah (salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) asked: “Do you hear the call to prayer?” He replied: "Yes." He (salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) said: “Then respond to it” (Muslim no. 653).

The Hadiths carrying the same meaning are numerous, so it is an obligation upon the Muslim, when his brother censures some defect in him, not to become angry and not to answer him except with good words. Indeed, he must thank him and ask Allah to reward him with good, because he has invited him to obedience to Allah and reminded him of his obligation, so it is not permissible for him to behave arrogantly towards the one who invited him to the truth, according to Allah's Words, in rebuke to those who do so, which promise them the punishment of the Hell-Fire: “And when it is said to him: "Fear Allah," he is led by arrogance to (more) crime. So enough for him is the Hell-Fire and worst indeed is that place to rest” (Al-Baqarah 2: 206).

Whoever caught the Prayer in the final Tashahhud, has missed the Congregational Prayer

Q: If a worshipper reaches the congregational prayer in the final Tashahhud, is he credited with the reward of prayer in congregation, or not?

A: The congregational prayer is not caught unless a Rak'ah is caught, according to the words of the Prophet (salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam): “Whoever caught a Rak'ah of the prayer has caught the prayer” (Al-Bukhari no. 580 and Muslim no. 607).

But whoever was late due to some valid excuse, such as illness or the like, will have the reward of the congregation, according to the Hadith of the Prophet (salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam): “If a man is ill or on a journey, Allah will write for him the reward which he would have had if he had been healthy and resident” (Al-Bukhari no. 2996 and Ahmad 4: 410).

Ibn Baz

He does not pray in Congregation except on Friday

Q: There is a Muslim who prays in his house and he lat claims that His faith is strong, but he does not go the mosque except on Friday. If he died, should the people of the mosque offer the funeral prayer over him, or not?

A: The most correct view from among the sayings of the scholars is that performing the five obligatory prayers in congregation is an obligation upon every man who is able to do so. So any man who does not offer them in congregation in the mosque without an excuse is a sinner and is disobedient to Allah and His Messenger (salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam). The evidence for this is that Allah has enjoined their performance in congregation in times of Jihad in Allah's cause, during the most difficult of times, even if it entails abandoning some of the conditions for its acceptance, such as in the manner of performing Salatul-Khawf - Allah, the Most High says: “And when you (O Messenger Muhammad) are among them, and lead them in As-Salah (the prayer), let one party of them stand up (in Salah) with you, taking their arms with them; when they finish their prostrations, let them take their positions in the rear and let the other party come up which have not yet prayed and let them pray with you, taking all precautions and bearing arms. Those who disbelieve wish, if you were negligent of your arms and your baggage, to attack you in a single rush...” (An Nissa’ 4: 102).

And the evidence from the Sunnah is the narration of Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, in which he said that Allah's Messenger(salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) said: “By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, I intended to order that firewood be brought and then to order the prayer and for the Athan to be called for it, then to order a man to lead the people (in prayer) and then to go to the men who do not attend the prayer and bum their houses over them. And by Him in Whose Hand is my soul, if any of them knew that he would find a fat bone of meat or two fine ribs, he would come to the 'Isha' prayer” (Al-Bukhari no. 644 and Muslim no. 651).

The Permanent Committee

There is no Objection to the Right Side of the Row being longer than the Left

Q: The Iqamah was called for the 'Isha' prayer and the y| right side of the row was filled, while there were only a few persons on the left side, so we said: "Make the row even on the left." But one of the worshippers said: "The right is better." However, one of the worshippers corrected him with the Hadith: “Whoever filled the left side of the rows will have two rewards.”

Please deliver a verdict for us regarding which is the correct view in this matter.

A: Evidence has been authentically reported from the Prophet (salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) to show that the right side of every row is better than the left, and it is not lawful to say to the people: “Make the row even."

And there is no objection to the right side being longer, if it be due to the desire to obtain (Allah's) Favor.

As for what one of those present said, regarding the Hadith: “Whoever filled the left side of the rows will have two rewards.”

I do not know any basis for it. [1]

It seems likely that it is a fabrication invented by some lazy people who do not take care to pray on the right side of the row, or do not compete with others to get to it. And Allah is the One Who guides to the Straight Path.

Ibn Baz

[1] Shaikh Ibn Baz said: "Later, I found that it was narrated by Ibn Majah."