Delaying the descent of field security personnel to pray after the worshippers have left the mosque
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa No. ( 19391 )
Q: Some commercial establishments and the property of citizens and residents are exposed to theft by those of weak character, and this is through
their exploitation of the times when field security personnel descend to perform the congregational prayer in the mosque. Your Eminence knows that the property of citizens and residents and the security of this country are a trust in our necks. For this reason, we ask Your Eminence: Is it permissible to delay the descent of field security personnel to pray after the worshippers have left the mosque (immediately, without delaying the prayer from its time)? What is Your Eminence’s opinion, given the situation as described? May Allah reward you with good and preserve you as a treasure for Islam and Muslims.
A: The principle is that congregational prayer is obligatory for adult men in the mosques, and it is not permissible to be absent from it except for a valid religious excuse. The situation mentioned regarding these field personnel working to maintain the security of the community and protect its property from aggression is among the excuses that permit leaving the congregation and praying in their places of work, as long as the excuse persists. Necessity is measured by its extent. We thank you for your concern with this matter, and we ask Allah, the Exalted, to increase your eagerness for understanding the religion and preserving the interests of Muslims. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: Some commercial establishments and the property of citizens and residents are exposed to theft by those of weak character, and this is through
their exploitation of the times when field security personnel descend to perform the congregational prayer in the mosque. Your Eminence knows that the property of citizens and residents and the security of this country are a trust in our necks. For this reason, we ask Your Eminence: Is it permissible to delay the descent of field security personnel to pray after the worshippers have left the mosque (immediately, without delaying the prayer from its time)? What is Your Eminence’s opinion, given the situation as described? May Allah reward you with good and preserve you as a treasure for Islam and Muslims.
A: The principle is that congregational prayer is obligatory for adult men in the mosques, and it is not permissible to be absent from it except for a valid religious excuse. The situation mentioned regarding these field personnel working to maintain the security of the community and protect its property from aggression is among the excuses that permit leaving the congregation and praying in their places of work, as long as the excuse persists. Necessity is measured by its extent. We thank you for your concern with this matter, and we ask Allah, the Exalted, to increase your eagerness for understanding the religion and preserving the interests of Muslims. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.