The Ruling on Praying in Congregation in Lands of Disbelief

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, we are a group of Muslim students studying abroad in a disbeliever’s country, and we face some problems, including the following. First question: We pray the five daily prayers at home, except for the Friday prayer, as there is only one mosque in the city. Is it obligatory for us to attend the five daily prayers at the mosque when able, considering that the mosque is usually closed? We also live far from the mosque.

Answer:
If the mosque is far away, you are not required to go to it because of the hardship involved. However, you and the brothers around you who are students should establish a prayer place where you can pray. As for the Friday prayer, you go to the mosque and pray with the Muslims. As for the five daily prayers, if the mosque is far from you, you and the brothers around you should agree to establish a prayer place, either in one of your homes, in a place you rent, or in any convenient location where you can pray the five daily prayers in congregation.