What is the ruling on one who closes his shop at prayer time and remains inside the shop without going to the congregational prayer, and what is the position of the authority toward these people?
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The questioner : Also, many of the market owners, the people of buying and selling, say that when the call to prayer is made, they either close the door and remain outside the shop, or they lock themselves inside until the prayer time ends. The criterion is the prayer, not closing the shop. What is the ruling on the actions of all these people, and what is the duty of the authority regarding this? O Allah, I have conveyed the message, so bear witness. From Bisha, the Passport Office: Mubarak Fahid Muhammad Ghrasan al-Bayshi.
The Shaykh : The actions of these people are actually forbidden because they have abandoned what is obligatory upon them, which is establishing the congregation in the mosques. It is obligatory for the Muslim to establish the prayer in congregation in the mosques of the Muslims, because this is the practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions, who established the congregational prayer in the mosques. This is what is obligatory for every Muslim[Al-Jumu'ah 62:9].
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Likewise, when the call is made on a day other than Friday, it is obligatory for the Muslims to come to these mosques that were built for establishing the congregation. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) intended to burn the houses of those who lagged behind in the congregation with fire. As for the action of the authority toward them, the authority must compel them to pray with the congregation in the mosques. If they see a man standing at his shop, they must compel him to pray with the congregation. If they know that he locks himself in his shop, they must force him to come out of his shop and attend the congregation. As for the one who locks himself in his shop and the people do not know about it, his case is left to Allah.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for the authority and others, they are not required to break down the shops and look to see if there is anyone inside. However, if it becomes clear and it is known that this man is hiding in his shop, they must open the shop, take him out, and compel him to join the congregation. What is hidden from them, whether from the authority or from other Muslims, his case is left to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He).
The questioner : (Glorified and Exalted is He).
The Shaykh : Singling out the brother from the authority for this matter is also a matter of consideration, because changing what is wrong is not specific to the authority. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 49a.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : "Whoever among you sees" is a conditional name, and all conditional names indicate generality. So, whoever sees what is wrong must change it with these three levels: with his hand, if he cannot, then with his tongue, and if he cannot, then with his heart. However, the authority must do what is not required of others; that is, the obligation is more emphasized for the authority than for others, because they have the power of the state, so they are able to change what is wrong more than others are able to.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : The actions of these people are actually forbidden because they have abandoned what is obligatory upon them, which is establishing the congregation in the mosques. It is obligatory for the Muslim to establish the prayer in congregation in the mosques of the Muslims, because this is the practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions, who established the congregational prayer in the mosques. This is what is obligatory for every Muslim
O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu'ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah
يا أيها الذين ءامنوا إذا نودي للصلاة من يوم الجمعة فاسعوا إلى ذكر اللهThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Likewise, when the call is made on a day other than Friday, it is obligatory for the Muslims to come to these mosques that were built for establishing the congregation. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) intended to burn the houses of those who lagged behind in the congregation with fire. As for the action of the authority toward them, the authority must compel them to pray with the congregation in the mosques. If they see a man standing at his shop, they must compel him to pray with the congregation. If they know that he locks himself in his shop, they must force him to come out of his shop and attend the congregation. As for the one who locks himself in his shop and the people do not know about it, his case is left to Allah.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for the authority and others, they are not required to break down the shops and look to see if there is anyone inside. However, if it becomes clear and it is known that this man is hiding in his shop, they must open the shop, take him out, and compel him to join the congregation. What is hidden from them, whether from the authority or from other Muslims, his case is left to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He).
The questioner : (Glorified and Exalted is He).
The Shaykh : Singling out the brother from the authority for this matter is also a matter of consideration, because changing what is wrong is not specific to the authority. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart
من رأى منكم منكرا فليغيره بيده فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه فإن لم يستطع فبقلبهThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : "Whoever among you sees" is a conditional name, and all conditional names indicate generality. So, whoever sees what is wrong must change it with these three levels: with his hand, if he cannot, then with his tongue, and if he cannot, then with his heart. However, the authority must do what is not required of others; that is, the obligation is more emphasized for the authority than for others, because they have the power of the state, so they are able to change what is wrong more than others are able to.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.