The congregational prayer for women
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa number ( 20450 )
Q: We submit to you our concern regarding the issue of students praying in congregation at the school. We are suffering from this because the school is small; it is a rented, small building with no vacant rooms available for performing the prayer. Therefore, we have set up a very small room that is not sufficient for our students, as there are (300) students. It is known that this room is next to the restrooms, so some of what is in them (cockroaches and the like) seeps into it. Therefore, the congregational prayer
is held in the small school courtyard as well, on mats, in extremely hot weather in summer or extremely cold weather in winter, accompanied by rainfall in that courtyard, which hinders the performance of the prayer. Also, there are not enough restrooms and washing facilities for this number of students to perform wudu; there are only five restrooms and four washing facilities. So their situation when they perform wudu is one of crowding and hardship in removing their shoes and socks, and what results from this is the emission of very foul odors during wudu and during the prayer. Due to the strictness of the supervisors in following up on this matter, some of them may go to pray without wudu or without completing it, even though we are very careful in following up on them. We also see negligence among some students when they perform the prayer, either in their covering or in talking during their prayer. The supervisors follow up and give a general reminder to remove the distraction and inattention; because they try to hear and understand what is delivered to them as reminders. We see that these reminders should not be postponed until after the prayer due to their importance during the performance. Also, we are unable to remind a specific student due to the crowding. Since we see that the conditions in our school are not prepared for performing the congregational prayer with the students, we fear that sin will befall us regarding their prayer in this school in this manner and in this form, and in light of these
conditions, is it permissible, O Shaykh, for them to pray in their homes so that there may be good and blessing for us and for them? Please issue a ruling for us, may Allah reward you with good, in this matter.
A: It is permissible for one who is unable to pray in the school to pray in her home if she leaves the school, on the condition that she does not delay the prayer beyond its time; because the congregational prayer is not obligatory for women. However, you must look for a building that accommodates the students to perform their prayers in their time without hardship. If they prayed in the school in multiple places or in one place in rotation, that would be better. As for the supervisors talking to the students, it does not affect the prayer of those praying, but the voice should not be loud enough to disturb the praying women. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: We submit to you our concern regarding the issue of students praying in congregation at the school. We are suffering from this because the school is small; it is a rented, small building with no vacant rooms available for performing the prayer. Therefore, we have set up a very small room that is not sufficient for our students, as there are (300) students. It is known that this room is next to the restrooms, so some of what is in them (cockroaches and the like) seeps into it. Therefore, the congregational prayer
is held in the small school courtyard as well, on mats, in extremely hot weather in summer or extremely cold weather in winter, accompanied by rainfall in that courtyard, which hinders the performance of the prayer. Also, there are not enough restrooms and washing facilities for this number of students to perform wudu; there are only five restrooms and four washing facilities. So their situation when they perform wudu is one of crowding and hardship in removing their shoes and socks, and what results from this is the emission of very foul odors during wudu and during the prayer. Due to the strictness of the supervisors in following up on this matter, some of them may go to pray without wudu or without completing it, even though we are very careful in following up on them. We also see negligence among some students when they perform the prayer, either in their covering or in talking during their prayer. The supervisors follow up and give a general reminder to remove the distraction and inattention; because they try to hear and understand what is delivered to them as reminders. We see that these reminders should not be postponed until after the prayer due to their importance during the performance. Also, we are unable to remind a specific student due to the crowding. Since we see that the conditions in our school are not prepared for performing the congregational prayer with the students, we fear that sin will befall us regarding their prayer in this school in this manner and in this form, and in light of these
conditions, is it permissible, O Shaykh, for them to pray in their homes so that there may be good and blessing for us and for them? Please issue a ruling for us, may Allah reward you with good, in this matter.
A: It is permissible for one who is unable to pray in the school to pray in her home if she leaves the school, on the condition that she does not delay the prayer beyond its time; because the congregational prayer is not obligatory for women. However, you must look for a building that accommodates the students to perform their prayers in their time without hardship. If they prayed in the school in multiple places or in one place in rotation, that would be better. As for the supervisors talking to the students, it does not affect the prayer of those praying, but the voice should not be loud enough to disturb the praying women. 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.