Ruling on sitting with people who do not pray in congregation
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There are people who do not attend the congregational prayer except rarely, at specific times. What is the ruling on gathering with them? Does a person sin if he gathers with them, I mean?
No, absolutely not! Rather, he should gather with the people of the mosque who are consistent in their prayer and who are consistent in it. In this lies a means to advise those who are not consistent so that they may become consistent. Because if they were prevented from attending, they would only increase in enmity and hatred. And a person must look to the future, because some people have jealousy, so they dislike the one who commits sin and reject him and boycott him, without knowing what results from this. It is obligatory for the one who enjoins good and forbids evil to look at the outcome. And the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) are the greatest example for us.Allah the Exalted said: [Al-An'am: 108] Even though cursing the gods of the polytheists is obligatory, it was prohibited out of fear that they would curse Allah. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) refrained from demolishing the Ka'bah and rebuilding it on the foundations of Ibrahim, because the people were recently converted from disbelief, so he feared they would be led astray. Rather, he taught Mu'adh about the right of Allah over the servants and the right of the servants over Allah, and that the right of the servants over Allah is that He does not punish one who does not associate anything with Him.So he said: (Should I not inform the people?He said: Do not inform them) So he ordered him to conceal the knowledge out of fear that they would rely on this and not understand the intent of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). It is obligatory that a person looks at the consequences. For example, if we prevent these people from attending and boycott them, will they turn to the mosque? Or is the expectation the opposite? The expectation is certainly the opposite.So we say: Bring them, and if one of them is absent, say to him: Why were you absent today? So that hearts may unite and the intended goal may be achieved, if Allah wills.
The questioner: For example, in the gathering, talk about what Allah said and what the Messenger said. And I advise you to distribute tapes, O Shaykh, and booklets.But you see nothing but turning away, O Shaykh! I mean: So that they leave the mosque and are present in the house, O Shaykh! Rather, some of them.
The Shaykh: Do not despair, do not despair. How long did Noah (peace be upon him) remain with his people? A thousand years minus fifty years. And how long did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) remain in Makkah? Thirteen years calling people, and in the end they forced him to migrate. Do not despair, my brother! Then those from the people of Makkah who worship Allah (Mighty and Majestic) appeared. And when the angel of the mountains came to him seeking permission or asking his command to crush them with the two mountains,He said: (No, I hope that Allah will bring forth from their loins one who worships Allah and does not associate anything with Him) How far-sighted is the vision.
My opinion is that these people should be called when they are absent, and welcomed when they are present, and they desire good. And the uniting of hearts, O my brothers, has a great status in the Islamic Shari'ah, and it is not trivial.
We ask Allah for success for us and for you in what He loves and is pleased with.
And glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You. I testify that there is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You.
And peace be upon you all.
No, absolutely not! Rather, he should gather with the people of the mosque who are consistent in their prayer and who are consistent in it. In this lies a means to advise those who are not consistent so that they may become consistent. Because if they were prevented from attending, they would only increase in enmity and hatred. And a person must look to the future, because some people have jealousy, so they dislike the one who commits sin and reject him and boycott him, without knowing what results from this. It is obligatory for the one who enjoins good and forbids evil to look at the outcome. And the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) are the greatest example for us.Allah the Exalted said:
And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah
وَلا تَسُبُّوا الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ فَيَسُبُّوا اللَّهَThe questioner: For example, in the gathering, talk about what Allah said and what the Messenger said. And I advise you to distribute tapes, O Shaykh, and booklets.But you see nothing but turning away, O Shaykh! I mean: So that they leave the mosque and are present in the house, O Shaykh! Rather, some of them.
The Shaykh: Do not despair, do not despair. How long did Noah (peace be upon him) remain with his people? A thousand years minus fifty years. And how long did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) remain in Makkah? Thirteen years calling people, and in the end they forced him to migrate. Do not despair, my brother! Then those from the people of Makkah who worship Allah (Mighty and Majestic) appeared. And when the angel of the mountains came to him seeking permission or asking his command to crush them with the two mountains,He said: (No, I hope that Allah will bring forth from their loins one who worships Allah and does not associate anything with Him) How far-sighted is the vision.
My opinion is that these people should be called when they are absent, and welcomed when they are present, and they desire good. And the uniting of hearts, O my brothers, has a great status in the Islamic Shari'ah, and it is not trivial.
We ask Allah for success for us and for you in what He loves and is pleased with.
And glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You. I testify that there is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You.
And peace be upon you all.