Continuation of the discussion on the ruling regarding repeating the congregational prayer in the Grand Mosque.

The Shaykh : The "al" here is the definite article. In linguistics, it is divided by them into two categories: either it indicates specific reference (al-‘ahd) or it indicates comprehensiveness and exhaustiveness (al-shumul wa al-istighraq). That is, the congregational prayer—every congregational prayer—and not just the specific congregational prayer that is customary and known in the Shari'ah. Both meanings can be used to interpret the hadith. One could say that the "al" in "the congregational prayer" indicates exhaustiveness and comprehensiveness. In that case, any congregational prayer that is prayed falls under this hadith, including the one I cited as an example earlier, which I do not think any jurist would consider lawful. Do you remember the example with me?

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Yes. So, if we stop at this example and say that we did not include it in the general meaning of the word "congregational prayer," and we recall the evidence, we say that this specific congregational prayer was not practiced during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, it is not included in the generality of his statement: Is that clear?

The questioner: Yes.