Is it permissible to leave the prayer in the mosque because of the religious violations committed by the worshippers, such as making du'a for people who do not deserve it, and is this considered a reason?
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The questioner : Is it permissible to leave the prayer in the mosque because of some actions committed by the worshippers in the mosque that contradict the religion, and because of making du'a for people who do not deserve it? And is this considered a reason that permits praying at home and leaving the congregation in the mosque?
The Shaykh : This is not considered a reason for the permissibility of leaving the prayer with the congregation. Rather, it is obligatory for a person to attend the congregational prayer and to advise those who violate the Shari'ah of Allah the Exalted in their actions, whether that relates to the prayer or to something other than the prayer. This is because the believer is to the believer like a building, each part strengthening the other. And Allah the Exalted said:[Ali 'Imran 3:110].
And in a person's absence from the prayer with the congregation for this reason, there are two prohibitions:
The first prohibition is that he leaves what is obligatory upon him, which is attending the congregation. Attending the congregation is obligatory, to the extent that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Ibn Majah 791Sahih (Darussalam) So when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) intended this great matter, that indicates the obligation of praying with the congregation. Therefore, absenting oneself from it is forbidden.
As for the second prohibition resulting from leaving the prayer with the congregation: it is the failure to forbid what is wrong. Forbidding what is wrong is an obligation among the obligations, required of everyone who is able. And this man is able to pray with the people, and if he sees them doing something wrong, he should forbid them from it, so that in doing so he fulfills what Allah has obligated upon him of forbidding what is wrong and reforming his Muslim brothers.
And the conclusion is that it is obligatory for a person to pray with the congregation and to forbid the wrong that he sees or hears.
The questioner : Yes, may Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : This is not considered a reason for the permissibility of leaving the prayer with the congregation. Rather, it is obligatory for a person to attend the congregational prayer and to advise those who violate the Shari'ah of Allah the Exalted in their actions, whether that relates to the prayer or to something other than the prayer. This is because the believer is to the believer like a building, each part strengthening the other. And Allah the Exalted said:
You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.
كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِAnd in a person's absence from the prayer with the congregation for this reason, there are two prohibitions:
The first prohibition is that he leaves what is obligatory upon him, which is attending the congregation. Attending the congregation is obligatory, to the extent that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
I was thinking of commanding that the call to prayer be given, then I would tell a man to lead the people in prayer, then I would go out with some other men carrying bundles of wood, and go to people who do not attend the prayer, and burn their houses down around them.
لقد هممت أن آمر بالصلاة فتقام، ثم آمر رجلاً فيصلي بالناس، ثم أنطلق برجال معهم حزم من حطب إلى قوم لا يشهدون الصلاة فأحرق عليهم بيوتهم بالنارAs for the second prohibition resulting from leaving the prayer with the congregation: it is the failure to forbid what is wrong. Forbidding what is wrong is an obligation among the obligations, required of everyone who is able. And this man is able to pray with the people, and if he sees them doing something wrong, he should forbid them from it, so that in doing so he fulfills what Allah has obligated upon him of forbidding what is wrong and reforming his Muslim brothers.
And the conclusion is that it is obligatory for a person to pray with the congregation and to forbid the wrong that he sees or hears.
The questioner : Yes, may Allah bless you.