Ibn Mas'ud's Argument for Repeating the Congregation in the Mosque

The questioner : May Allah reward you. They also argue that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to the mosque one day and found that the congregation had already prayed, so he went to his house and prayed with his sister. Who is this? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

The Shaykh : The Prophet? May Allah help you, may Allah help you. Know the hadith well. This is narrated from Ibn Mas'ud, and something else contrary to it is also narrated from him. The author of al-Mughni reported that it is narrated from Ibn Mas'ud that he repeated the congregation in the mosque. So there are two narrations from him on this matter.

The presenter : Correct.

The Shaykh : Also, if this is authentic from Ibn Mas'ud, it is not a proof. Because the words of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) take precedence over his. Furthermore, this is a specific case. He did not say, "O people, if you miss the congregation, pray in your houses." Perhaps he feared that if he prayed in the mosque and there was an imam, he would say, "This is a companion of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) who did not pray behind me," and that would be an issue. And perhaps if people saw him, Ibn Mas'ud, praying after the congregation, they would say, "If Ibn Mas'ud delayed and was late, then we are even more entitled to do so." Specific cases have circumstances and indicators that necessitate them, unlike the indication of general statements. General statements are clear. It is not said to a Shaykh that he did not find a congregation so he went to his house because he would find a congregation. We do not know. Therefore, it is a specific case, and this is also possible.