Is it permissible for a worshipper on Friday to leave the mosque in his neighborhood and go to another mosque that is far away, because the second imam has extensive knowledge of religious matters?
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The questioner : Is it permissible for a worshipper on Friday to leave the mosque in his neighborhood and go to another mosque that is far away, because the second imam has extensive knowledge of religious matters and also has a good style in delivering the sermon?
The Shaykh : It is better for the people of the neighborhood to pray in their own mosque for the sake of getting to know one another, building affection among them, and encouraging one another, and to please the heart of the imam who prays with them. If one goes to another mosque for a religious benefit, such as acquiring knowledge or listening to a sermon that is more impactful and more knowledgeable, then there is nothing wrong with that. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to come and pray with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in his mosque to attain the virtue of the imam and the virtue of the mosque, and then they would go and pray in one of their neighborhoods, as Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) used to do during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he knew of it and did not disapprove of it (peace and blessings be upon him).
The Shaykh : It is better for the people of the neighborhood to pray in their own mosque for the sake of getting to know one another, building affection among them, and encouraging one another, and to please the heart of the imam who prays with them. If one goes to another mosque for a religious benefit, such as acquiring knowledge or listening to a sermon that is more impactful and more knowledgeable, then there is nothing wrong with that. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to come and pray with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in his mosque to attain the virtue of the imam and the virtue of the mosque, and then they would go and pray in one of their neighborhoods, as Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) used to do during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he knew of it and did not disapprove of it (peace and blessings be upon him).